Letters to Hungary
22 June 2011
Some eyebrows were raised recently when it became known that the Hungarian government had bought a significant number of shares in MOL, a national energy champion of sorts. Political opponents focused on the apparent use of funds previously loaned by the IMF to complete the deal – somehow suggesting that such a move was improper – while other commentators noted the undercurrents of energy security as a prime catalyst for buying the shares.
21 June 2011
Bernard Connolly used to be a civil servant of the European Commission. His particular remit was European monetary union.
In September 1995, much against the wishes of his superiors, he published a book entitled ‘The Rotten Heart of Europe’, outlining the political machinations of those responsible for pushing the notion of a single European currency as a key element of ever closer political union. Connolly was acidic in his printed comments and clearly annoyed the political elites in Europe, so much so that he eventually had to leave the European Commission. His only crime seemed to be a willingness to tell the truth as he saw it.
26 April 2011
Italy and France have recently approached the European Commission to ‘investigate’ the Schengen Treaty. Both countries are facing the consequences of significant unregulated migration – primarily from North Africa and as a result of the recent political upheavals – which threatens to undermine EU solidarity and a key pillar of the Union’s edifice.
6 April 2011
Perhaps it was not surprising that the LMP found Daniel Cohen-Bendit. After all, being a party of protest is no fun in a parliament where the recently-elected government has a super-majority and intent on using it. So what does a liberal-Green party do when it struggles to be heard in the domestic politic arena? Of course you bring in a foreigner!
29 MARCH 2011
As the enquiry continues into the policing of the riots in Budapest in September – October 2006, it would appear that the role of the then Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsány, is once again under scrutiny. The Hungarian Socialist party condemn the enquiry as an exercise in retrospective political revenge, whilst the Government and the ruling Fidesz Party see it as an attempt to establish a clear line of responsibility for the consequences of the police action at the time.
Few impartial observers would disagree with the view that in September – October 2006, the Budapest Police and their regional reinforcements totally mishandled the policing of a number of major events taking place simultaneously in Budapest.
28 March 2011
The European Union (EU)’s foreign policy regarding the continuing political unrest and conflict in the Arab world has been cruelly exposed as ineffective and fragmented. Hesitancy over Tunisia and Egypt has been compounded by an inability to coordinate any sort of intervention in Libya. What’s new, you might ask?
Well, the problem is that there is another major crisis about to hit Europe and judging by the EU’s initial handling of the issue, a mighty row is about to ensue.
13 March 2011
Agnes Heller is a lesser known modern philosopher. She has often been described as a member of the Budapest school of philosophy, an acolyte of Lukacs and harbouring a distinctive left-wing perspective. In more recent times, Heller would probably describe herself as a ‘Liberal’, although her liberal credentials are not as deep perhaps as other modern philosophers, such as the late Sir Isaiah Berlin.
Few people outside Hungary would probably have heard of Heller had it not been for the fact that she and four other Hungarian academics stand accused of misusing research grants and are currently under Police investigation in Budapest.
Until the investigation has run its course, it is not possible to say if Heller and the others are innocent or guilty. Heller herself denies all and every charge against her. Indeed, it would be a sad end to her career if the allegations were to be true.