Post Tagged with: "Central European University"

Michael Ignatieff, Rector of CEU

Ignatieff’s last stand in Budapest

Former Liberal Party of Canada leader Michael Ignatieff was not alive on April 4, 1945, when the Russian Red Army liberated Hungary from the remaining elements of a dogged, pro-Nazi resistance. That liberation was the start of a 45 year long period of Russian led, anti-liberal rule in Hungary, which only ended in 1990. On April 4, 2017, as Rector […]

by · April 24, 2017 · Politics
Viktor Orbán speaking to Kossuth Radio on Easter Sunday. Photo: MTI.

Viktor Orbán promises violence against protesters in Easter interview

The contrast between the words uttered by the Hungarian and Canadian prime ministers this Easter could not have been more stark. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a Catholic, spoke about how “the Easter story reminds us of the sacrifices made for us, and of the forgiving power of compassion,” as well as called on us to “put into practice what […]

by · April 17, 2017 · Politics
István Szávay. Photo: MTI.

Jobbik teams up with centre-left opposition against Orbán regime’s CEU bill

Every Jobbik MP has agreed to ask the Constitutional Court to review the Orbán’s regime’s bill that aims to shut down Central European University. Since all centre-left opposition MPs are doing the same, with Jobbik’s support, they have surpassed the minimum threshold of a quarter of all members of parliament needed to force a judicial review of the legislation. Fidesz, […]

by · April 12, 2017 · Politics
Professor E. Szilveszter Vizi (right) supports Viktor Orbán

Orbán’s professors in Hungary and in the US

Tens of thousands rallied in Budapest to protest a law that could force the US-accredited Central European University (CEU), founded by George Soros, a Hungarian-born billionaire, to move out of the country. The attack on academic freedom has attracted worldwide criticism, including from North America where hundreds of academics, including dozens of Nobel prize-winners, signed letters and demanded the law […]

by · April 12, 2017 · Politics
Zsolt Bayer and Viktor Orbán.

Fidesz co-founder threatens violence against CEU protesters

Fidesz party co-founder and prominent columnist Zsolt Bayer has threatened to use violence against the tens of thousands of students, youth and other Hungarians who have been demonstrating against the Orbán regime’s new legislation, aimed at closing down Central European University. A mass protest is scheduled for Wednesday, in Heroes’ Square, and in advance of this, Mr. Bayer published the […]

by · April 11, 2017 · Politics
Photo: Index

Budapest will burn! Angry, mass protest breaks out against Orbán regime

“You have signed it, János. Now the city will burn,” chanted more than 1,000 protesters who are gathering outside President János Áder’s offices and are growing in number, according to reports by Index journalists. Budapest police are calling for calm as the young and visibly infuriated crowd hold an illegal protest in the Castle District, outside the Sándor Palace. President […]

by · April 10, 2017 · Politics
János Áder

President of Hungary signs legislation to shut down Central European University

After a massive protest in Budapest on Sunday involving more than 70,000 demonstrators–who called for academic freedom and freedom in general in authoritarian Hungary–and after receiving letters and petitions from dozens of universities, academic associations and scholars abroad, President János Áder signed off on a bill that, in its current form, will make it impossible for Central European University to […]

by · April 10, 2017 · Politics
CEU

Austrian chancellor in negotiations to move CEU to Vienna

Hungary is replaceable. Budapest is replaceable. While anyone who knows and loves the Hungarian capital would be saddened to see the Central European University forced to go, those of us who have had our fill of seven years of Hungary’s slide into a wildly corrupt autocracy also applaud Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern’s decision to begin high level negotiations aimed at […]

by · April 6, 2017 · Politics
Gov. George Pataki thanked George Soros at the CEU Trustee reception

CEU trustee Gov. George Pataki denounces the Orbán Government’s attack against academic freedom

In 2012 when former New York Governor George Pataki became a member of the Central European University (CEU) Board of Trustees, university founder and Honorary Chairman George Soros held a reception at his Southampton, New York home. Pataki was grateful for the appointment. As a trustee, Pataki was instrumental in selecting Michael Ignatieff, the Canadian professor and liberal politician as […]

by · April 5, 2017 · Politics
Central European University - Budapest.

Hungary’s parliament votes to shut down Central European University

Starting January 1st, 2018, Budapest’s Central European University (CEU) will no longer be permitted to enrol new students in any programs, unless an agreement is reached between the United States government, the State of New York and Hungary’s Orbán government no later than September and unless CEU opens a new campus in the U.S. A total of 123 MPs voted […]

by · April 4, 2017 · Politics