We are approaching the final day of the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, when Pope Francis will celebrate mass in front of 75,000 people. At least, that many people indicated that they would be present for the event. There is no doubt in my mind that a large number of people, and not necessarily only the faithful, will be looking forward to seeing the controversial pope who “withholds his blessing from Hungarian political Christianity.” They will be curious about the “superstar” who was able to build relationships with both Catholics … Read the rest
Viktor Orbán in panic mode
I would bet that not too many people are aware that the sixth Serbian-Hungarian Summit, held in Budapest, came to an end today. Of course, people familiar with the Hungarian political scene know that relations between Belgrade and Budapest have been unusually warm for a number of years. This has especially been the case since Aleksandar Vučić became president of Serbia in 2017. Two years later, when Viktor Orbán and Angela Merkel held a joint press conference after the German chancellor’s visit to Sopron, I devoted a post to the … Read the rest
Michael Kovrig, Canadian-Hungarian citizen, victim of hostage diplomacy
Today’s post is devoted to Michael Kovrig, a dual Canadian-Hungarian citizen, who is currently locked away in a Chinese prison, accused of espionage. Michael Kovrig is the son of Bennett (Bence) Kovrig, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto and a political scientist and historian whose work was highly regarded by those interested in East-Central Europe. I myself own a copy of one of his books The Myth of Liberation: East-Central Europe in U.S. Diplomacy and Politics since 1941.
Michael Kovrig was not the only Canadian arrested in December 2018. … Read the rest
Possible international developments behind Orbán’s newly proclaimed pro-EU strategy
There are times when I have nagging doubts about the conclusions of other respectable, even wise political commentators. Not that they are entirely wrong, but that they are insufficient to explain a given political move.
What do I have in mind? Yesterday, while reviewing the message of Viktor Orbán’s speech in Kötcse, I noted my agreement with Zoltán Lakner, a political scientist of whom I think highly, that the reason for Orbán’s sudden enthusiasm for the European Union could most likely be found in his desire to shut down any … Read the rest
Back in Kötcse—Viktor Orbán’s not so secret autumn cabal
A year ago, I expressed my relief that, due to the pandemic, Fidesz would not hold its annual “polgári piknik” in Kötcse, although I’m sure that many Hungarian political scientists relish the search for the secrets of the cabal and the chief shaman’s vision of the future. As László Kéri put it, “for more than a decade, we have become accustomed to the fact that the starting pistol for the autumn political season is kept in Kötcse and the Chief fires it there, announcing the main political guidelines for … Read the rest
Alexander Faludy: A very uneasy alliance—Fidesz and the Catholic Church
This piece first appeared in the international Catholic news weekly, The Tablet, on Saturday, September 4, 2021. The Tablet, established in 1840, is one of the world’s oldest Catholic magazines and is a leading voice of liberal Catholic opinion globally. The article is reproduced with permission.
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The 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest has not yet started, and Pope Francis is not due to celebrate the closing Mass until the morning of 12 September. But the memorialization of the event has already begun. On Sunday 22 … Read the rest
Mária Schmidt’s open letter to Boris Johnson
The purpose of this post is to make available a translation of a Hungarian-language Facebook comment by Mária Schmidt, a historian of sorts who influences Viktor Orbán’s views, the director of the House of Terror, and a wealthy businesswoman. Her comment was actually an open letter addressed to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
My English translation of her letter was inspired by a short note, which reported that Schmidt had no intention of sending the English version of her letter to the British prime minister. “I wrote down what … Read the rest