Just a quick one to add some actual data to the ongoing debate about whether and to what extent the Hungarian government will accede to the wishes of the European Commission and modify those laws and political practices the EC and other powers-that-be in the EU want changed.
The other day the National Bank of Hungary announced that net transfers from the EU to Hungary reached an all-time record of €1.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011, capping off a record year in which almost €4.4 billion in sweet unióspénz was sent our way – well above the previous record of €2.7 billion set back in 2009.
So anyone who is tempted to bet that the government is going to mark out a series of major “red lines” that aren’t symbolic in nature should probably think again, since without these transfers the budgetary hole that has forced them to ask for a rescue would be even deeper in red ink. [vg.hu]
The Hungarian government (a.k.a. Viktor Orban and his henchmen) will access to the EU wishes to extent that the EU wishes it so. Perhaps, if just this once Hungary is lucky, that would include a deal to get Viktor out of politics.
Can’t spell or type. Instead of “access” the word was supposed to been “acceed”. I majored in toe typing.
Do not forget that Orban is a clever guy (must compensate his height with something):
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“Given Orbán was elected on a non-austerity anti-EU/IMF platform he is developing a narrative that is consistent with these themes for the more difficult environment he is and will soon face. The contours of that storyline are already clear: the sovereign debt crisis will be the scapegoat for seeking external assistance; the EU and IMF will be blamed for imposing unpopular correction policies and the impact these are likely to have on the medium term growth outlook,” Rahman concluded
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(-http://www.portfolio.hu/en/economy/hungarys_strategy_in_eu/imf_talks_wields_results_but_focus_remains_narrow_and_could_backfire_eurasia_group.23679.html)
This is the simple Game-plan:
1) Piss-off the EU, creating an anti-EU/IMF image at home
2) Cave in ‘for the current best of the country’ (but we will resurrect!)
3) Blame the EU/IMF for all problems and hardship, continue reaping the anti-EU vote at home, while implementing all the bad stuff
4) Win the 2014 election, then the opposition cannot take the anti-EU/IMF slot currently being occupied by Orban
Here Fidesz will probably lose its 2/3rd majority, but be the biggest party, even with 50%+1 seat, making it carry on with governing Hungary undisturbed
It may work
It may work, but I doubt that it will, seeing as most Hungarians are 1. not so dumb as to believe that Orbán didn’t plan this all along, 2. he will look week and foolish caving in to the IMF/EU, and 3. most Hungarians actually do care what the rest of the world thinks of them (their protestations aside) and like being in the EU. I could, of course, be wrong.
I think that Fidesz is planning on losing the next elections, which is why they put so many of their allies in positions of power for 9 years. After 4 years of poor economic growth, due to the massive plundering that is occurring and will continue to occur under the current government, the next government (maybe some coalition of MSZP, Jobbik, and DK) will be unable to do anything to help the situation, and Fidesz will step back into power, assured of never having to leave again. That is assuming that the next elections will be anything close to free and fair, which I am beginning to think just might happen.
Of course I know the difference between the homonyms “week” and “weak”; just an oversight on my part!
Yes, Vikie, and he planned it this way since before his election. You are really clever.
Next task for you: whol killed JFK?
Popular says:
January 27, 2012 at 6:04 pm
You are really clever
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Thank You for the kind words
For your question, I would point you in the general direction of ‘bob’
Vikie, I wish you could at least once say something original in your comebacks.
You are such a bore …
But, just keep on practicing. Maybe if you double the number of your comments … you never know … even you can get better
Sorry, we are not all as witted and spirited as yourself
I mean:
“Next task for you: whol killed JFK?”
A Real Killer
Kept me rolling on the floor for three hours…
JFK is dead???? When? How?
Vikie!!
You are doing it again, I mean the stupidity.
That post was at 6:04 pm, now it is 7:40 pm, and you were on the floor for three (3) hours? So where did 1 hour and 20 minutes go? Were you abducted by aliens? Ok … I guess that would explain a lot of things about you.
Popular says:
January 27, 2012 at 7:46 pm
you were on the floor for three (3) hours
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Given that I have so much other work out there to do also, I need to live in several time-dimensions at the same time, so what is 3 Hours for me, is just a nanosecond for you mere mortals
Yep, as I said, abducted bny aliens … it shows
Poor devil
@MagyarViking
I think you really hit the nail on the head with this post. Thank you for that.
The fun continues with folk/nations being forced to dip into their coffers once again by the IMF to top up the bailout fund to the dizzy heights of a staggering 320 billion dollars.
The UK has been forced to do a u-turn and stump up cash for the fund by Eye-lash-wagging minx, Christine Lagarde, after a recent meeting with UK Chancellor, George Osborne! The additional money will once again be drip fed into the now famous Greek blackhole which has no growth, no economy, and an insatiable appetite for spending other people’s money.
Viking. They have knocked at your front door, and tried to slip in through the rear entrance. I now suggest you baton down the hatches, seal all the windows and,insure those solar panels against a second, economic tsunami.