Orban the fighter

On the Roma “we are all playing with fire”. And enlargement? “On this issue there is a sort of fright, I see panic in Europe”. Is Hungary’s Media Act liberticidal? “I don’t accept offense against the Hungarian nation. We fought for freedom under Communism and we will continue to do so. But if necessary, we are ready to amend it”. Victor Orban, prime minister since 2010, and previously prime minister in the years between the 1990s and 2000, is unreserved. Historical justice. In his country Orban guides a centre-left coalition and for the first time in the history of the Country, Budapest is at the lead of Europe from January to June 2011. “At the end of these six months I am sure – he said without fearing being disproved – that the EU will be a better place”. On January 19 the premier was in Strasbourg, at the European Parliament. He met Community leadership, took part in a debate – marked by high tones – with MEPs, discussed at length with the international press. “It is historic justice for Hungary to take on the European Council’s rotating presidency for the first time in its history. We fought for freedom and against the Soviet Union. Now we feel the responsibility for a stronger and more united Europe”. Victor Orban arrived at the European Parliament holding the Green Paper of the six-month program of the EU Council of Ministers, centered on economic issues. He mentioned the “1956 events”, the “blood shed” by the Hungarian population in the second half of the 20th century, and its contribution to the fall of the Iron Curtain. In Strasbourg he is unanimously acknowledged a brave personal commitment to this regard.Mass media, debt, employment… But Orban met with a hostile welcome and with MEP’s criticism of the new Act providing for government media control in Hungary. Orban warned: “Don’t mix up criticism of Hungarian internal politics with the Hungarian EU Presidency”. “However, if any provision in the Hungarian Media Act failed to withstand the test of EU law, Hungary would be ready to amend it”, he said. Were you expecting such reception? “Actually – he said with a tentative smile – I was expecting that more than half of all MEPs would walk out. But the debate with the EP members was acceptable. Debate and criticism are part of democracy, provided it is not an offense to my country or to Hungarian democracy. The Act that is being criticized was voted by a sovereign parliament”. The president-in-office points out – as he did over the past days – a set of priorities for the forthcoming semester: growth, employment, security. He goes on: “The economy is the priority issue. The greatest danger facing Europe is neither political nor ideological, nor is it external to the EU: it’s is the debt crisis. States must reduce their enormous indebtedness which curbs development and risks impacting the next generations”. And what is your proposal? “Employment. Real economy, producing income, supporting SMEs, deregulation”, along with investments for innovation and energy networks, a theme that will be on the agenda of the European Council of February 4. “This year Hungary’s deficit will amount to less that 3% of GDP, but unemployment rates remain high, and I’m ashamed of this. We must create employment, in order to give Europe a future”. The Hungarian Premier acknowledged the question of financial stability, underlining the urgent need to “modify the Lisbon Treaty in order to implement the planned permanent crisis management mechanisms by 2013”.“Integrating the Roma”. As for the Roma, who are numerous in Hungary, Orban called for “a European strategy that will focus on integration and on non-discrimination”. He then delved into the need of “a policy that will support the family and address the theme of the demographic challenge”. The premier of Budapest remarked: “We need a common European stand on the freedom of religion and to act on the discrimination of Christians in the world”. He is determined about Community enlargement: “it is unfair that Croatia, is refused entry” into the EU. He said he would like to bring Croatia’s accession talks to conclusion before the Hungarian mandate expires. “I would like the optimism of enlargement to return”, “it is unfinished business”, he added. The Hungarian presidency will do its utmost for Bulgaria and Romania to become members of the Schengen community “at the earliest possible date”. He spoke of the strategy for the Danube, of climate change. The day in Strasbourg draws to a close, but he is still smarting over the question of the Media Act. Orban underlined: “If you read Hungarian press you would see it’s full of criticism against my government, much harsher criticism than would be published in your countries’ media. Nonetheless, nobody is thinking of bringing the journalists to court”. Finally, he opened the door of the government car and left.