Post Tagged with: "France"

Fournier received the award from Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.

The Orbán Government insults French President Emmanuel Macron

It seems that Hungary has intentionally insulted French President Emmanuel Macron. Here is the story. In a confidential memo dated June 18 and addressed to Macron’s office, French Ambassador to Budapest, Mr. Éric Fournier claimed that Hungary was a “model” for dealing with migrants and that accusations of populism against Prime Minister Orbán were media fabrications. Fournier wrote that the […]

by · July 11, 2018 · Politics
Brigitte Macron

Brigitte Macron, the real First Lady of France

After Donald Trump had won the U.S. presidential elections in 2016, the world focused on France and their bet went to the right wing candidate Marine Le Pen and her 44-year-old party, the National Front. Not many people gave one single thought to a newly founded party; not even a year old at the time; and its 39 year-old founder […]

by · August 31, 2017 · Politics
Sebastian Kurz (left) with Péter Szijjártó (right). Photo: MTI.

Hungary passionately defends Turkey in EU, despite human rights violations

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is at odds with his Austrian counterpart, Sebastian Kurz, over whether the European Union should suspend all accession negotiations with Turkey, due to troubling human rights violations, especially since July’s failed coup. The Orbán government has been a staunch supporter of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey, and Hungarian foreign policy in general has been pro-expansion […]

by · December 13, 2016 · East
MSZP's party logo, with the slogan "we are building community."

Socialists propose opposition primaries–Will it energize Hungarian voters?

The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) is taking a leaf from France’s political playbook and is suggesting a system of opposition primaries ahead of Hungary’s 2018 parliamentary elections, in order to ensure that the liberals and the left-centre field a single candidate in each of the 106 ridings and also nominate a joint candidate for prime minister. The recent primaries among […]

by · November 30, 2016 · Politics
Fr. Hamel

Responding to terrorism — The Roman Catholic Church’s only weapons are fraternity and prayer

Hungarian society is a largely secular one, even though references to the nation’s Christian heritage and “character” feature prominently in the discourse of the current government and in its press. Yet the Orbán government’s approach to refugees, the migration crisis and to those who are most vulnerable within society stands in stark contrast to the “brand” of Christianity espoused by Pope […]

by · July 27, 2016 · Culture
The Záhony border crossing between Hungary and Ukraine. This represents one of the EU's external borders, which Hungarian border security patrols and protects and where you will come into contact with Hungarian border guards and customs officials. Photo: MTI.

The death of Schengen is not what Viktor Orbán wants…

This has been an annus horribilis for the European Union. In the spring and summer, the euro looked set to crumble, as Greece devolved into political turmoil, teetering on the brink of Grexit and as deep divisions within the eurozone emerged about how to deal with the debt crisis and whether to even salvage the unity of the euro. As often […]

by · November 21, 2015 · Politics
A photo posted on Socialist MP Márta Demeter's Facebook page from the vigil held in front of the French Institute in Budapest.

Budapest residents light candles for victims of Paris attack

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday night at the steps of the Institut français de Budapest to light votive candles in memory of the 129 people killed on November 13th, when eight terrorists launched coordinated attacks in Paris. The French Institute, overlooking the Danube, was founded by France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to promote the French language and culture in Hungary, and […]

by · November 15, 2015 · Politics
Hungary declares day of mourning following Paris terror attacks

Hungary declares day of mourning following Paris terror attacks

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party has cancelled its congress, scheduled for Sunday, and has instead declared a national day of mourning following the coordinated, ISIS-led terrorist attacks in Paris, which left at least 128 dead in the French capital. As well, the Orbán government has announced new, stricter national border controls and a military presence on the streets of Hungarian cities, […]

by · November 14, 2015 · Politics