Translation of “The Transit Zones Are Prisons Where Pregnant Women Are Handcuffed” published on June 12, 2017, by Hungarian online daily Index.hu. The Hungarian government set up transit zones along the border as a place for those fleeing war to request international protection. These transit zones operate as though they are located in a “no man’s land”. […]

The Hungarian model dominated by Fidesz is termed crony capitalism by the expert literature. It’s characteristic form is the straw man controlled by politicians initiating the corruption.

Translation of Ágnes Lampé’s article “There is nothing better than a little Soros-ing.  How to feed your government media” appearing in the May 4th, 2017 edition of print weekly 168 óra (pp. 11-14). A simple central message, methodical distribution and repetition, repetition, repetition people meaning, with the help of “experts” and “political scientists”.  The Habony […]

“We should not obey laws that do not exist. Because supposedly this is a rule-of-law state.” – Miklós Hargitai, chairman, National Alliance of Hungarian Journalists Translation of 168 óra article “The muzzled tabloid press is unstoppable: Every dictator occupies the media” appearing in the May 4th, 2017 edition (pp. 8-10). “Quite a collection” says Ferenc Hammer, […]

“It is a major problem that honorable mayors who have no part in corrupt deals have scarcely any access to funding, because those who award the money have certain expectations about who should be able to submit a bid, who can take part in public procurements, and who can do the implementation work.” – László Köteles, mayor of Komlóska […]

“While every known dictatorship has wanted to control the media, this does not guarantee its success. There are some bloopers. Still it makes it difficult for the opposition to compete.” Translation of “Government messages in tabloid mud: the Habony machine has kicked into high gear” appearing in Hungarian print weekly 168 óra on May 4th, 2017 (p. 7). […]

Viktor Orbán is not content merely to adopt the restrictive practices of authoritarian states. He has taken it to a level that even his own political family in the EU is starting to find uncomfortable.

“A normal power would defend democracy in this way, by bringing wrongdoing to light, and to exclude anyone who has become unworthy. If a member of parliament declares that he has saved more than 3 million a year, he must be suspended the following day, because he is lying – this cannot be done from […]

“Today it is not the big fish that eat the small ones, but the fast ones who eat the slow ones.” — Viktor Orbán, prime minister, Hungary Translation of article “Money is no object” appearing in the April 27th, 2017 edition of print weekly hvg (pp. 15-16). There is no sacrifice we will not make […]

Roma councils in towns and villages are unable to promote the interests of their communities, while the country as a whole is preoccupied with other things. The system that is supposed to represent Roma citizens has failed, and what remains of it is exploited to fleece Hungary’s most disadvantaged citizens. How did it come to this?