Kati's space

Kati_Svaby · June 10, 2012, 6:37pm

CNN

György Matolcsy our Economy minister said to CNN: County’s crisis over- Hungary is a fairy tale. :)))

edition.cnn.com/2012/06/08/busin … =allsearch

Kati_Svaby · October 24, 2012, 7:30pm

Dear Sir/Madam,

please find attached the English version of the speech of Mr. Gordon Bajnai, Former Prime Minister of Hungary that was delivered on 23rd of October 2012 at the Milla (One Million for the Freedom of Press in Hungary) demonstration.

Yours sincerely,

Gina Fodor

international coordinator

Speech of Mr Gordon Bajnai, former Prime Minister of Hungary
23
rd
October 2012
Fellow citizens!
Thank you for inviting me. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you on issues
that affect us all.
Returning to this stage was a difficult decision for me. The last time I was here was on 15
th
March,
together with all of you. I stood there, in that colorful and diverse crowd, among democrats and
patriots – that’s all I knew of those standing alongside me. Not what they believe, nor whom they
vote for. But I knew that they want to live in a constitutional state and that they love their country.
That was enough then, and it is enough now.
It is enough for me to step onto this stage. To stand up for those things which unite us all.
I am aware I once said I am not a politician. At that time, I sincerely meant it. Because in a normal,
well-functioning country there is no need for everyone to be a politician.
When I left office, I still believed that Hungary could be such a place. But the past two years have
proved a rude awakening. Our country has once again become a place where we must take to the
streets for our common future and take to the streets for our rights. Where even someone who
simply wants to be a citizen, a “civilian”, must engage in politics.
I must engage in politics as well, I have no other choice.
The reason I return to this stage is because I have realized – and I want to tell you all – that 2014 will
be more than merely the date of the next election: 2014 will be a year of crossroads
A crossroads that will fundamentally determine our future for the next quarter of a century. The
coming 25 years shall be the remaining active years of my generation; and for our children’s
generation, it will be the most vital, decisive period of their lives. And we don’t want a country to
which our emigrated children will perhaps be willing to return one day – instead, we want a country
they will have no reason to leave in the first place.
This is why we had to meet today! Because we cannot once again let dissent, division, corruption,
pettiness or stupidity chart the course of our destiny!
This is why my peers and I have established the Association for Patriotism and Progress: to
encourage, organize and – through our programs – support the efforts of those seeking change.
I am sure that many of those present here today already voted for change in April 2010. They had
good reason to do so. Sound reason, because they wished for corruption to end once and for all;
because they wanted to get rid of harmful compromises, rushed and incomplete reforms, promises
left unfulfilled.
And above all, they wanted to free themselves of the perpetual political war characterizing the last
10 years, which has divided and turned us Hungarians against each other on every issue.
Already in 2010, many people did not vote for parties, but for change. They expressed their beliefs
and were betrayed. Those in office now govern against those whom they can thank for their victory.
So it is: the Fidesz voters of April 2010 know by now that the reward for their votes is one and the
same with the punishment of others .
Because Hungary installed a government for which we must apologize to the world. But most of all
to each other, and to our own children.
This government has systematically broken the spine of Hungarian democracy, vertebrae by
vertebrae.
This government is carving up the country among its vassals. These vassals make money from
political power, investing the money in greater power, so that they can earn yet more money. This is
how the vicious circle works, round and round. The state has become a vehicle for corruption.
This government allocates wealth so that the rich can be richer, the middle class poorer. And those
who are poorest shall remain by far the most impoverished.
This government promised 1 million new jobs and is now embarking upon a job protection scheme
to defend what positions remain after its own policies.
Through its education reform, this government impedes the progress and mobility of the poor, while it drives our most talented people out of the country.
This government asks us to make more and more sacrifices in the present, whilst it burns the candle
of our future at both ends.
This government calls itself powerful, but it is only over-powering. Still, we all know very well that
resorting to abuses of power is a refuge of the weak. And this government is weak. The problem is
not just that it breaks every rule, but that it nevertheless continues to be unsuccessful.
In exchange for votes, this government promised security, peace and prosperity. Instead, what we
see in the country today are fear, hopelessness and rising poverty. This is a government of failure.
This government must go!A change of government in itself is not sufficient: the regime that the current government has built
over the past two years – which would ensure its staying in power even if the majority preferred
some other alternative – must also be dissembled.
A change of government is therefore not enough: a change of regime is necessary!
And yet, even this is inadequate: what we truly need is a new political culture, a new political era! A
constitutional guarantee that no politician can once again expropriate power in our country.
A change of government, a change of regime, a change of era. This is what we must achieve for the
crossroads of 2014 to bring about a new chance, a new opportunity for Hungary.
Fellow citizens wanting change!
Back in 1990, we all understood the term democracy as the option to change course every four
years, the possibility to throw bad governments out of office. And we have done so on several
occasions.
The current regime did not see this understanding of democracy as a case for good governance.
Instead, it saw it as a case for curtailing the rights of citizens. Curtailing our right to change course, if
we so wish.
They are forcing a new election law upon us, one that serves their interests, regardless of
governmental performance. The mandatory registration process is simply an austerity package
against free and fair elections.
All this implies that electoral cooperation is necessary already now for a change of government.
Electoral cooperation is even more crucial for dismantling the power-hungry regime. Because this strange creature is sustained by laws requiring two-thirds majorities and cynical constitutional
amendments.
But the need for electoral cooperation is most dire in order to embark upon a new era through
regime change.
An era where our constitution is a common cause for all patriots, for all democrats. Because we
drafted it together, we all respect and uphold it, and so we protect it as one.
Compatriots!
The year 2014 shall not be the usual contest between the political left and right.
Instead, the year 2014 will mark the battle between those who will join together to forge a normal
country and the forces seeking to cement their power through our disunion.
This fight calls for us to reorganize ourselves, to strengthen the political center. A new political
middle ground is needed, one that is strong enough to overcome the powers bent upon dividing our
nation. A new political middle ground, one that is widely diverse, but united by a common feature:
its rejection of any force of radicalism. The communists. The far right. Those obsessed with, and
those peddling in, power.
Because the actors on the new, strong political middle ground may argue with the other side’s
proposed ideas and solutions, but never with the other side’s right to exist.
Fellow citizens!
Forging an alliance to bring about a change of government, to usher in a new era, requires common
denominators. New common denominators.
Once, back in 1990, at the fall of communism, we planted the seeds of our future in the soil of
national consensus.
At that time, we had common national goals. We all agreed that we wanted democracy. That we
wanted a market economy founded on the sanctity of private ownership. That we wanted solidarity
and to catch up with the West.
Over the past years, our dreams, our purposes have fallen victim – victim to divisive politics.
Therefore, we must set new common goals, the necessary preconditions for a normal country, for a
peaceful life! We must once again agree on the most fundamental issues.
Not on everything, but finally on something.
At the very start, we need to agree that Hungary must be a constitutional state: a constitutional
state once more. One that is not limited by any form of power. And one that – in turn – can restrict any such power.
This is the foundation, this cannot be disputed. In all other questions, we must reach agreement – a
common denominator.
First of all, we must settle the question of the nation. Ten years ago they told us “the nation cannot
be in opposition”. But as I look around you all, it is apparent that an ever greater part of our nation is
forced into opposition. Because we are also part of the nation!
Everyone here in person and in spirit today is Hungarian. And so are of course all those who are
attending speeches at Kossuth Place. As are those making the speeches!
Those spending the holiday at home in their gardens, or with their families are also part of the
nation. We are all, collectively, the nation: our Hungarian identity does not divide us – instead, it
binds us together.
Second, we need a new agreement on the issue of solidarity, because it is not true that people are
worth as much as they own… Solidarity is not an act of goodwill; rather, it is based on responsibility
and mutual respect for one another. The responsibility of those at the top for those at the bottom.
In return, the responsibility of those born to the bottom or fallen behind to help us achieve our
common goals; through work and by seeking employment, through learning and teaching, through
joint effort.
We want to live in a society rooted in solidarity, where it is harder to fall behind, and easier to rise
up. This is what makes the nation greater than the country itself.
Third, we should finally clarify the subject of progress. Fundamentally, we must ascertain that
patriotism and progress – upholding national traditions and rejuvenating the country – are not
contradictory, nor mutually exclusive terms. Patriotism and progress go hand in hand; it is the “and”
between them that should be stressed.
We must come to an understanding that a lack of progress implies falling behind. There is global
competition, even if some try to deny this. And he who denies the very existence of this competition
does not have any chance of winning it.
Maybe that is why we are not winning it at the moment…
Anyone who realizes this shall succeed. Anyone who buries his head in the sand will be
impoverished.
There was a time when we understood this. Twenty years ago we tried to forecast how many years it
would take us to catch up to the Austrians.
Today, we have given up on such estimates. We just stare despondently at Slovakia and Poland as
they overtake us.
We must once again be among the best performers of the region! We have the talent, if we muster
enough willpower! We have demonstrated our ability before – we can show the world again!
Fourth, we must strike a compromise with regards to Europe! Europe is our opportunity to succeed
in the dizzying global competition. To us, Europe represents a community of both interests and values. It not only provides the means to realize Hungary’s potential, but the necessary cultural
framework to do so. Peaceful strength, a civilized tone, openness and curiosity. Quality of life.
Europe’s success is in our own national interest: and we must vindicate our true national interests
within Europe!
Our European identity stems from 1,100 years of national tradition; it is the voucher of our survival.
We all carry St Stephen’s heritage within us. For over a millennium, we have been born into this
legacy, not the one of the turul, the sacred falcon. We must protect this heritage.
Patriotism and progress, solidarity and Europe. The few, but nonetheless pivotal, issues that we
must agree on for the decades to come.
This is why the task before us is so monumental: the reunification of Hungary within our borders!
As long as we cannot reach an agreement on the common goals immune from political power
struggles, the reunification of our nation across borders is doomed to fail. Anyone who divides the
10 million-strong nation creates a rift in the nation of 15 million.
Fellow citizens calling for change!
As a first step to reunifying Hungary, those wanting change must themselves be unified. This does
not require yet another party competing for votes.
That is why we have decided to lay the foundations for a new, strong political middle ground.
That is what today is all about.
This is the message of October 1956. This is what the various heroes of 1956 stand for. Imre Nagy
and József Mindszenty, István Bibó and Péter Mansfeld, Pál Maléter and Gergely Pongrátz. They
hailed from different walks of life, but were united in one goal: their memory teaches us that the
nation can join hands to achieve a worthy purpose.
And as then, so today: we have come from both the Right and the Left. So that we can meet in the
middle!
The country meets at the center!
Dear Friends!
We are therefore not establishing a new political party, but calling for cooperation. We invite all
those united by these common goals to join our alliance. Those with whom we can find a common denominator with regards to the principles, the ethics and the programs for turning the political
page.
Those with whom we can agree on issues of the constitutional state, on patriotism and progress, on
solidarity and Europe.
And when we have reached a consensus on these questions, it can serve as a basis for elaborating a
specific program for recovery and development: the program of good governance.
Milla, Solidarity and Patriotism and Progress have decided on establishing such an open and
accommodating movement.
This electoral movement has been named Together 2014 and its program is based on the common
denominators of the nation. Through the creation of Together 2014 we are leading by an example of
cooperation, placing our faith in the conviction that the reunification of our national community
must start with the unification of those calling for change.
We must create a framework for cooperation between hopeful left-wingers, disappointed rightwingers, politically abandoned free-thinkers and committed Greens. As well as those who are
unable, or perhaps unwilling, to choose a party for themselves.
This alliance should include democratic parties and politicians, since we understand that this regime
can only be changed by political means. Politicians in turn must restore the honor and credibility of
the political process. Voters need to once again be able to trust politicians who are worthy of that
trust, or else we shall squander further years or decades.
We call upon our compatriots who do not wish to deny their own party affiliations. They need not do
so! And we also call upon those who have no intention of aligning themselves with any political
party, but want to contribute to bringing about change.
We call upon those who – through their votes – want to support the goal of closing the door on the
past and opening a new political chapter in the history of Hungary.
We call upon everybody who feels ready and able to face the lessons and consequences of these
past 2 years, the preceding 8 years and the last 22 years. To reasonably come to terms with the
crimes, mistakes and opportunism (as well as the virtues) of each period.
This fairness is a prerequisite of rejuvenation. Taking into account all merits and shortcomings, whilst
rejecting the notion that in politics, everything should be seen in the same light.
Because there is a clear-cut, fundamental difference between the past 2 years and the 8 years
preceding it. Anyone who denies this is being unfair.Yes, the decade prior to 2010 had its own share of lessons, of mistakes and crimes. Anyone refusing
to accept this is not ready to turn over a new leaf.
All governments of the period behind us can be challenged from a number of perspectives, but they
cannot be seen as being the same. Their differences cannot be obfuscated.
The renaissance of Hungarian politics requires more fairness and more self-reflection. A political and
ethical rebirth, for which the 12 points enumerated at Milla’s demonstration on 15
th
March this year
can provide a basis.
This can serve as a guarantee to voters that they are not just endowing us with a mandate for a
“usual” change of government, but for laying the foundations of a new era. A new period that blocks
the bad governance of the present, or of the recent past, from creeping back into their lives.
Dear Friends!
I know it will be difficult. Difficult because they will try to turn us against one another. Difficult
because they will want to divide us. And difficult because there will be dozens of issues on which we
do not agree.
But we must never forget that there are four vital questions on which we do agree: patriotism and
progress, solidarity and Europe! And based on this consensus, we constitute the new, strong political
middle ground of this country.
It will be difficult because the other Hungary, the one that lives in our hearts, has two enemies.
Despair and waiting for miracles.
These are our two principal enemies, and both hinder action. And we all know that “the only thing
necessary for the triumph of evil is for the good to do nothing”.
Therefore we must all take action. Parents and children, pensioners and students all need to act.
Civilians and activists, bloggers and former prime ministers, goal-keepers and strikers alike!
It will be difficult, but it can be achieved!
That is why you should go and tell everybody: there is hope, if we come together! Assemble those
wanting change: provide your signatures, get involved with Milla, with Solidarity, with Patriotism and
Progress or with your chosen party! Protest and organize yourselves. Tell your representatives, your
parties, that you want collaboration, that you expect cooperation from them and between them!
Tell them the question is not what position anyone can expect to get. Rather, the issue at stake is
how much everyone can do for a change of government, a change of regime and a change of political eras. Tell them: if they do not do everything in their power for collaboration, they are
protecting the power of the destructive regime. If not by words, then by action. If not by action, then
by omission. And that is unforgivable!
Meanwhile, do not forget that the regime is built upon intimidation! Jobs, mandates, contracts are in
danger. The tax authority, blacklists, Kubatov-lists, mandatory registration processes hover above us
as threats. Hungary is administered by cunning fear.
But do not fear! Look around yourselves: you are not alone! Let that give us all strength! Even when
they sling mud at us, even when they drag us in front of committees. Even when they threaten us
with court cases, even when they send us messages behind the scenes. Even if they attack us with
tax-funded regiments. Against us, against those who believe Hungary must change, and who are
acting for this conviction.
Be peaceful, but determined! Let it be known to everyone, that there is hope once again. Let it be
known that we want our county back: an aspiring and growing country. One that we can love, and
where we can trust each other. A country governed by common sense, where real problems are
solved by comprehensible answers. Where the reward of achievement is well-deserved security.
Where politics is not founded on animosity, but upon mutual respect.
A country we can be proud of.
We know this other Hungary exists – if nowhere else, then within us. This is our home. We want to
live here, to be happy and to develop. This is where we want to see our children and our
grandchildren grow up. This is what we call home, and this is where we shall stay!
And, if bad politics ruins this country, it is not us who must get out of the way, but the bad politics
itself.
So let today’s message be known to everybody: it will be difficult, but together, we can succeed!
Only together can we succeed.
We may fail on our own, but together, we shall prove victorious !

Me:
Gordon Bajnai’s speech was very good. TLet’s hope for the best… This speech was a turning-point in our history. Everybody was very happy. Many thanks for Mr.Gordon Bajnai.

Kati_Svaby · October 26, 2012, 9:43am

Continuation:
This government ask us…

Kati_Svaby · October 26, 2012, 10:05am

Continuation:
The responsibility of those at the top for those at the bottom.
In return, the responsibility of those born…

Kati_Svaby · October 26, 2012, 12:04pm

Continuation:
Our European identity stems …

Kati_Svaby · October 27, 2012, 2:56pm

Continuation:
This alliance should include democratic parties :

Kati_Svaby · November 28, 2012, 9:33pm

An article from Chicago Tribune News

Anger as Hungary far-right leader demands lists of Jews

Reuters
8:28 a.m. CST, November 27, 2012

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - A Hungarian far-right politician urged the government to draw up lists of Jews who pose a “national security risk”, stirring outrage among Jewish leaders who saw echoes of fascist policies that led to the Holocaust.

Marton Gyongyosi, a leader of Hungary’s third-strongest political party Jobbik, said the list was necessary because of heightened tensions following the brief conflict in Gaza and should include members of parliament.

Ads by Google

Opponents have condemned frequent anti-Semitic slurs and tough rhetoric against the Roma minority by Gyongyosi’s party as populist point scoring ahead of elections in 2014.

Jobbik has never called publicly for lists of Jews.

“I am a Holocaust survivor,” said Gusztav Zoltai, executive director of the Hungarian Jewish Congregations’ Association. “For people like me this generates raw fear, even though it is clear that this only serves political ends. This is the shame of Europe, the shame of the world.”

Between 500,000 and 600,000 Hungarian Jews died in the Holocaust, according to the Holocaust Memorial Centre in Budapest. According to some accounts, one in three Jews killed in Auschwitz were Hungarian nationals.

Gyongyosi’s call came after Foreign Ministry State Secretary Zsolt Nemeth said Budapest favored a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as benefiting both Israelis with Hungarian ancestry, Hungarian Jews and Palestinians in Hungary.

Gyongyosi, who leads Jobbik’s foreign policy cabinet, told Parliament: “I know how many people with Hungarian ancestry live in Israel, and how many Israeli Jews live in Hungary,” according to a video posted on Jobbik’s website late on Monday.

“I think such a conflict makes it timely to tally up people of Jewish ancestry who live here, especially in the Hungarian Parliament and the Hungarian government, who, indeed, pose a national security risk to Hungary.”

Gyongyosi, 35, is the son of a diplomat who grew up mostly in the Middle East and Asia – Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan and India – and whose office is decorated by Iranian and Turkish souvenirs. He graduated with a degree in business and political science from Trinity College in Dublin in 2000.

He worked for four years at the Dublin office of KPMG, then returned to Budapest in 2005. He has been active in Jobbik since 2006 and became their MP in 2010.

APOLOGY

The government condemned the remarks.

“The government strictly rejects extremist, racist, anti-Semitic voices of any kind and does everything to suppress such voices,” the government spokesman’s office said.

Laszlo Kover, the Speaker of parliament, who is from the ruling Fidesz party, also issued a statement on Tuesday in which he called for a tightening of house rules that would allow a sanctioning of such behavior.

Gyongyosi tried to play down his comments on Tuesday, saying he was referring to citizens with dual Israeli-Hungarian citizenship.

“I apologize to my Jewish compatriots for my declarations that could be misunderstood,” he said on Jobbik’s website.

He later told a news conference that he would not resign and considered the matter “closed,” national news agency MTI reported.

Jobbik’s anti-Semitic discourse often evokes a centuries-old blood libel - the accusation that Jews used Christians’ blood in religious rituals.

“Jobbik has moved from representing medieval superstition (of the blood libel) to openly Nazi ideologies,” wrote Slomo Koves, chief rabbi of the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation.

STEADY BASE

Jobbik registered as a political party in 2003, and gained increasing influence as it radicalized gradually, vilifying Jews and the country’s 700,000 Roma.

The group gained notoriety after founding the Hungarian Guard, an unarmed vigilante group reminiscent of World War Two-era far-right groups. It entered Parliament at the 2010 elections and holds 44 of 386 seats.

The centre-right government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban has struggled to pull Hungary out of recession as many European countries suffer from an economic crisis.

Orban’s Fidesz has lost more than a million voters since 2010, even though it is still the strongest political force.

More than half of Hungary’s electorate is undecided and having retained its voter base, some analysts say Jobbik could hold the balance of power in the 2014 elections between Fidesz and the fragmented left-wing opposition.

Hungarians protest on 2nd December at 3 o’clock outside a parliament building against anti-semitic remarks by a far-right politician in Budapest

Kati_Svaby · November 29, 2012, 4:34pm

EUROPE

A call by a far-right Hungarian MP for a list to be drawn up of Jewish politicians and government members who pose a “threat to national security” has caused outrage among both Hungary’s estimated 80,000-strong Jewish community and liberal politicians.

Marton Gyongyosi, a leading MP of Jobbik, Hungary’s radical rightwing party, called for the list in the Budapest parliament on Monday, saying that it was justified by the increased tensions following the latest conflict between Gaza and Israel.

“I am a Holocaust survivor,” Gusztav Zoltai, executive director of the Hungarian Jewish Congregations’ Association, told Reuters. “For people such as me this generates raw fear, even though it is clear that this only serves political ends. This is the shame of Europe, the shame of the world.”

Up to 600,000 Jews from Hungarian territories died in the Holocaust, the majority after mass deportations began in the last year of the war.

Mr Gyongyosi appeared to back track on Tuesday, saying he was referring to citizens with dual Israeli-Hungarian citizenship. “I apologise to my Jewish compatriots for my statements that could be misunderstood,” he said on Jobbik’s website.

Jobbik, which holds 44 of 386 seats in parliament, making it the third-strongest party in Hungary, has been accused of stoking anti-Semitic and anti-Roma feelings and of supporting the Hungarian Garda, a uniformed militia which has made frequent appearances in rural areas with Roma populations, despite being banned by law.

Jobbik denies any anti-Semitic or anti-Roma sentiment, saying that it only wants to protect Hungary from the dangers of international capital and citizens from petty theft and lawlessness.

Liberal and left-wing politicians also accuse Viktor Orbán, the prime minister, and his governing Fidesz party of being soft on Jobbik and pandering to radical policies in order to win voters from the far-right camp.

“Fidesz definitely has double standards. When something happens like this [Gyongyosi statement], they always denounce it but otherwise their actions and policies show otherwise,” Ms Szabo says.

In a short statement on its website, the Hungarian government on Tuesday said it condemned Mr Gyongyosi’s statement “to the greatest possible degree”, adding that it took the “strictest possible action against every form of racism and anti-Semitic behaviour”.

Kati_Svaby · November 29, 2012, 4:38pm

BBC NEWS EUROPE

Hungary anti-Semitism: MP condemned over ‘list of Jews’

Jobbik parades feature the Arpad stripes which fascists used in the 1940s
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

Hungary nationalists whip up anti-Roma feelings
Hungary country profile
Hungary’s ‘gypsy crime’ gendarmes
The Hungarian government has condemned comments by a leading nationalist MP, who said officials of Jewish origin should be listed because they might be a “national security risk”.

MP Marton Gyongyosi, deputy group leader of Jobbik, spoke during a parliamentary session on Monday.

The government responded by saying it condemned “to the greatest possible degree” Mr Gyongyosi’s statement.

Jobbik has 47 seats in the 386-seat parliament - the third-largest group.

Jobbik, an opposition party purporting to protect Hungarian values and interests, also has three MEPs in the European Parliament. The party has been linked to uniformed vigilantes who say they are safeguarding public order in areas with large Roma (Gypsy) communities.

During a debate on the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Mr Gyongyosi said it was time to “assess how many MPs and government members are of Jewish origin and who presents a national security risk to Hungary”.

The statement from a government spokesman on Tuesday said the government took “the strictest possible action against every form of racism and anti-Semitic behaviour” and did “everything in order to ensure that malicious voices incompatible with European norms are driven back”.

“The government also makes it clear that every citizen will be protected from such insults,” the spokesman added.

Jobbik parades feature the Arpad stripes which fascists used in the 1940s