A brief visit to Brussels
By now I hate to speculate on how the European Commission and the European People’s Party will respond to Viktor Orbán’s latest provocation since, until now, both bodies have handled him and his party with kid gloves. Every time there was a new provocation I hoped that, surely, in this case, they cannot remain silent. These hopes were always dashed. So, now, I leave it to President Ursula von der Leyen, who at least was finally brave enough to name the culprit, and the European Commission to figure out what can be done when the prime minister of a member state introduces governance by decree without a sunset clause.
I think we should also allow the leaders of those 13 member states who are “deeply concerned about the risk of violations of the principles of rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights arising from the adoption of certain emergency measures” to recover from the shock that the government of Hungary brazenly joined their ranks as the fourteenth signatory. This is what happens when you don’t have the guts to call a spade a spade.
A history lesson for Zsolt Semjén
Before I wander too far from Hungary’s “enabling” law, let’s spend a little time on Zsolt Semjén’s ban on gender change. For those not familiar with György Gábor, the philosopher of religion, he is an inveterate and incredibly learned commentator on daily political events on Facebook. He is also extremely witty, cuttingly so.
Obviously, Professor Gábor couldn’t let Semjén’s ban on gender change go without teaching Zsolt Semjén a thing or two. He sent Semjén to the digital archives of the national library (OSZK), where he was instructed to read the Dominican Codex from 1517, which was copied by Lea Ráskay, O.P. She was a well-read nun in the Dominican cloister on the Island of Rabbits (today Margitsziget). She is best known for copying and translating several Hungarian codices, which without they wouldn’t have survived. If Semjén had bothered to read it “with Christian dignity, and patience, and faith in his heart,” he would have found a story about Saint Dominic who, with the help of God, at the request of her mother, changed the sex of a girl who subsequently became a monk and a preacher (ki először leány lett vala, férfiú leleték, istennek erejével az leány természet változtatván férfiúi természetre, ki annak utána lészen prédikátor szerzetbeli fráter.) “All that happened in medieval Christian thinking, in contrast to Semjén’s inquisitorial worldview in the 21st century,” added Gábor. “Christianity offers a huge storehouse of human knowledge. It is worth getting to know it, instead of being wrapped in profound ignorance voluntarily assumed.” So much for Semjén, the Christian politician.
Birds of a feather
For years, Fidesz considered far-right Jobbik an important ally. The party’s large parliamentary delegation consistently supported the government. Relations between the two parties soured, however, when Jobbik’s leadership realized that its radical political views were systematically being adopted and claimed by Fidesz-KDNP. In brief, Viktor Orbán and his party and government began shifting sharply to the right, and, as a result, Jobbik was practically squeezed out politics. Why vote for Jobbik when its program is almost identical to that of Fidesz, a party that can offer all sorts of perks and positions to those who are ready to follow the uncontested leader of the party? It was at that point that Gábor Vona, chairman of the party, began toying with the idea of moving to the center. In 2018, by that time without Vona, Jobbik joined the united opposition.
Photo: Magyar Hang
With Jobbik’s move toward the center, Fidesz lost its position as “the center power,” which was the secret of the party’s electoral success. Two opposition blocs, one on the left and the other on the right, would never be able to gang up against Fidesz; at least this was Viktor Orbán’s assumption. Orbán’s electoral law was designed for a two-party system, and as long as there was Jobbik on the right and several opposition parties on the left, Fidesz had nothing to fear. Although it took far too long for the politicians of the opposition parties to commit themselves to full cooperation, when they did, opposition candidates achieved remarkable results in the municipal elections in October 2019.
Jobbik, as a result of its shift toward the left, suffered a loss in electoral support. Moreover, many of its politicians, representing the party’s right-radical wing, decamped, organizing a party called “Mi Hazánk Mozgalom” (MHM/Our Homeland Movement). Since the movement has no representation in parliament, the party receives no financial support from the government budget. Yet, when MHM decided to try its luck in the EP elections in the spring of 2019, the party did remarkably well. They received 3.29% of the votes, which may seem paltry, but in comparison to the 6% MSZP and Jobbik each got, it was rather impressive.
Prior to the municipal elections, MHM got air time on MTV’s M1 channel as well as on the pro-government Hír TV, which certainly wasn’t offered to the united opposition. And huge MHM billboards were everywhere. Even some of their sympathizers were convinced that the party was receiving substantial financial and media support from Fidesz and the government.
Index just published an article asking whether and to what extent MHM is useful to Fidesz. Their verdict was that Fidesz’s support of MHM makes sense. By now, commentators all over the world have accepted the view that Fidesz is a far-right party. But Viktor Orbán can counter this consensus by pointing to the right-radical opposition to his “conservative” regime. And there might be an even more important consideration as far as Fidesz is concerned. If in 2022 the left-of-center parties have a strong showing and Fidesz needs to form a coalition government, MHM could always be a junior partner. In any case, it is worth keeping an eye on László Toroczkai and his friends, who founded the party.
Loved the post today, especially the medieval references to “changing” one’s sex, but equally compelling were the short stories on the EU and Jobbik/Mi Hazank Mozgalom.
Other readers of this post-I have a suggestion- please consider refraining from personal attacks and other inappropriate comments. Why ? Well we have to model appropriate behavior and as important, we want to attract others, especially those living in Hungary. Professor Balogh does a great job. Let’s at least follow her example. Of course, I am not making a demand, just a suggestion. The difference between the 2 is clear.
In the meantime, please be well and safe.
The final paragraph is a welcome reminder about the need for courtesy and respect. I also found the brief observations about Jobbik very helpful, as I realised that I had never been clear about the political origins and orientations of the party, if that is what it is. Though I always say the connection between Fidesz (Lat. fides) and national loyalty, I had not realised it signified a ‘far right’ position. It seems a worrying feature of contemporary Europe as a whole.
I agree that more Hungarians should be exposed to Professor Balogh’s analysis of the situation in Hungary. But I have been wondering how many can access it with enough understanding of the English language.
Hear hear, Misi bacsi 10:07!
Consider the silent readership. In a way, we’re ambassadors both for and to Hungary. So let’s try to be diplomatic in our disagreements.
Re: ‘But I have been wondering how many can access it with enough understanding of the English language’
You know when looking at ‘cat’ and ‘macska’ ok now there’s the point! But when it’s with ‘Dictatorship’ and ‘Diktatura’ the Ingles and Magyar combine where the languages seem to make sure there’s a similarity in syllables, letters and sound. Some scribe wanted to make sure about something??😎
I am on break from volunteering at Stroger hospital. Is it possible for Eva’s blog to have an auto-translate button? Since Mr. Soros appears to read HS, possibly this might be a useful area of assistance for the global Hungarian community.
I had a disturbing experience today the Medical Grade Instant Digital Thermometer I was using failed. It battery was out, I asked staff for a replacement battery, they were all gone. I spent the next one and a half hours out buying a new supply of batteries for myself and other intake staff while still in my scrubs and protective gear rather than waiting for the supply staff to do it who are facing breakdowns of equipment constantly including ventilators they are repairing themselves. Back to work.
I know literally only several people for whom reading in English isn’t tiresome, and they are so interested in politics to follow HS or like.
Moreover there are Index, 444, Àtlàtszò, HVG, and several other e-outlets in Hungarian, which HS uses as primary sources anyway.
Those in Hu who want to know can access information.
Unfortunately mass politics requires mass media and this is what the regime has shut down.
DAY 4 OF THE DANUBE DICTATORSHIP
Forgive me. A post from yesterday, still relevant.
Dr. von der Leyen needs to deal with the “unlimited dictatorship” problem right now.
If she really believes in the EU and sees clearly the damage dictatorship is doing now and in the future to the organization, she should issue her own statement saying simply that from this moment no more financial aid will be given to any country that violates the norms of government and behavior embodied by the EU. No time for talkie-talkie. Go for the jugular.
Sure Zoltan’s Pox would have a hissy fit but he does that pretty regularly and no one listens to him. O1G would then get out the heavy guns like Judit Várga and she can start to argue Hungary’s perverted legalistic case in the meeting rooms of Brussels. The EU Council either accepts the proposal or it does not. If it does, Orbán is screwed. If it does not, the EU is screwed.
The question is does Dr. van der Leyen have the “balls” to do it? Does she?
No I don’t think von der Leyen has the courage to stand up to Orbán, and she is the downfall of the EU. Her election to the post of President, reveals that the EU is mostly about trade and commerce between the nations and any talk about democratic prinicples is just rhetoric. The fact that von der Leyen was chosen instead of Timmenrman’s, demonstrates that the EU will do anything to avoid confrontation with wayward members. Had Timmerman’s been elected instead – a man of principles and courage- the political landscape, irrespective of the virus- would look very different. Take for instance this post on the the BBC- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52135402 where van der Leyen shows “deep concern” about Orbán. Previously it was just “concern”. Now that Orbán has eliminated democracy here altogether, she expresses deep concern! Stong words hose, aren’t they? As for the threat of fines, knowing full well that the EU does nothing other than rap knuckles and express “deep concern”, most likely the mafia states will refuse to pay, since the EU continues to feed billions into the coffers of the oligarchs. As if the Covid crisis is not bad enough, here we also have to endure a… Read more »
There may have been a few tolerant people in the Catholic Church in old times – but more typical was and still is the absolute hate against anything strange/foreign/they don’t understand. I just came upon the Bamberg witch trials (Bamberg is a really nice medieval town, my wife wants to visit it as soon as the corona threat is gone …) where around 1000 men and women (almost 10% of the population!) were tortured and killed by the catholic church during the 30 years war: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamberg_witch_trials Of course an important reason was hat some of these witches were rich – their possessions went to the catholic church, nice for the bishop who however had to flee in the end and died young … Many people in Fidesz and its christian appendix (forgot the name …) still think like that. I have personal experience with the intolerance of these ***expletive deleted*** creatures from my childhood – we had separate schools for catholics and protestants eg … My favourite bad “joke” re (in)tolerance in sexual matters which I’ve told before but is worth repeating: Many German christian politicians (mainly from the Bavarian CSU) fight against sexual tolerance. A big point was that… Read more »
Re: ‘The Hungarian so called christian politicians are obviously thinking along similar lines! And don’t even think about those pedophile priests – the largest pedophile gang in the world! End of rant …’ That rant is appropriate looking at results when something seeped in a sort of mysterious mysticism crashes deeply into a salacious and reprehensible cult. It is great dysfunction of a moral order. Brings us to Dominic and his vocation. In the 13th he helped to found Notre-Dame-de Prouille , an early base for the Dominican order, which became a monastery for nuns. His travels around Europe saw him in Italy, Spain and France and as the Dominican Codex shows, Magyarorszag. What is interesting about Dominic is his orientation of directing Christian intellectual life to the popular concerns of communities. In the case of his ministry to women he looks very contemporary in the 21st when it comes to ‘gender things’. It’s evident than in the country the practice of Christian religion appears in a guise of pretence. It appears it has lost its ‘vocation’. It is in some moral pit sunken in. It’s used like a narcotic keeping the laity in a state of a kind of… Read more »
Not ördög?
Just to make it clear for those less familiar with the current media situation in Hungary:
MTV’s M1 channel, which gave a lot of airtime to MHM and almost none* to the United Opposition parties, is the “public” media in Hungary, operating on tax money gathered from all people in Hungary.
The word “public” I put quotation marks, because it’s operating far from for and by all the people in Hungary. On the contrary it’s just a blatant propaganda tool of OV, the Hungarian Serial Democracy Killer, therefore in my comments I use to refer to it as the One-Party-State-“p”-Media [1PS”p”M]
*almost none= only the very few minutes, which according law the 1PS”p”M has to give to all political parties [and all parties here means also fake political parties, which have clearly no political purpose except getting OV’s “blessings” to take away mostly media time/space and some votes from other true political parties]
for who wants to get an idea about the operation of 1PS”p”M, just have a look at M1 Hirado’s [“news”] youtube video page, you don’t have to play any, just looking at the images of the items should give a sufficient impression – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHJ8gW2vKH5R3VohymtBCrQ/videos
PS: what I noticed lately is that in the last weeks “warnings” against fake news* are pushed
those are acc.1PS”p”M coming only from media not supported, nor supporting OV, so from basically independent media
*fake news = álhírek[et]
I heard a Finnish EPP member who proposed with huge cross the board support in the EPP to expel Fidesz. It is a move not supported by the Germans. Not so far? Will it be and when will they kick them out?
I very much doubt the Germans will ever do anything so radical to Fidesz. They don’t want to upset their business deals with Russia.
„Every time there was a new provocation I hoped that, surely, in this case, they cannot remain silent. These hopes were always dashed.“ It is good to abandon hope, Eva. You wrote that you were an optimist and that to be pessimistic was hopeless. Somehow you’re right and somehow you’re not. Now 10 years have gone by and nothing but hot air has come from the EU. Worse still, CDU and CSU politicians held Orban’s hand Öttinger Mangold Seehofer and other lousy grandees held Orban’s rod. Even respectable politicians like Merkel were mute or beeped once. The reference to the EU and its inactivity only leads to bashing nothing more. Let’s collect documents. VdL has always failed, there are many examples of why it should be able to cope with an even more difficult position? When I see and hear her like this, her body language does not match what she said. I have spared myself the trouble of analyzing it exactly, I am satisfied that it does not fit. From her phone, but not only from hers, all data has been erased so that the failure cannot be proven. Merkel didn’t say anything about this … nothing … that… Read more »
“nothing but hot air has come from the EU”
I would like to make an essential addition to your statement:
“nothing but hot air has come from the EPP and its EU leaders”
note: from other groups in the EU [from GUE/NGL till ALDE/RENEW] has come much more than only “hot air”, e.g.Sargentini [Greens] with the “Art.7 against Hungary” report, Timmermans [S&D] in his former function in the EC and all votes by MEPs of those groups in the EU parliament
unfortunately for the people in Hungary the EPP is still the biggest group of parties in the EU
Ferenc thanks, maybe you’ll agree with me next year. One man does not make a team.
One may read in today’s Euronews that: there is definitely a sunset clause [in the act “ON PROTECTING AGAINST THE CORONA VIRUS” declaring effective dictatorial powers to the Hungarian Prime Minister],” Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga told Euronews “It says that the Hungarian assembly will decide on the termination of this emergency situation…and by this act this law will cease to exist.” She should know because she wrote the act which, of course, gives the current Prime Minister unlimited powers to rule by decree for unlimited time, a matter controlled completely through that same Prime Minister and his Faithful Fidesz robot Members of Parliament. No doubt the Minister of Justice would describe that arrangement as exemplary Rule of Law.
Public Prosecutor Moves to Lift Immunity of Two MPs
https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-immunity-investigation-boldog-kallo/
Fidesz member István Boldog is under investigation over his involvement in influencing the outcome of tenders for European Union funds, while Jobbik member Gergely Kálló is under investigation over vandalism during 2019 European elections.
Have you ever been to the State Theatre in Budapest?
brilliant reply Don!
I am beginning to reject the EU why. As long as the EU exists – as long as money flows and as long we are oppressed. If the EU is destroyed, at some point Fidesz will fall because of lack of money, the people will revolt, then the Orban system will slowly collapse. Ten years later we can form an EU again … why not like this? Or we can found EU 2.0 and leave EU 1.0.
“It would then be easier to dissolve the EU in its present form and start again.” (Lech Walesa)
https://polandin.com/42557440/lech-walesa-proposes-to-dissolve-eu
To agree with Lech Walesa is not an insult. What do you think of that idea István?
I even didn’t think that it could be an insult. I wanted to show that you aren’t alone with that idea. As very last possibility I could imagine that the countries standing for the European idea and for the common values found their own new Union and leave the states that are only inspired by free money alone. Even dissolution is impossible without agreement of Orbán. So Poland can be left alone with Hungary and perhaps some other members that don’t want the common values. Not sure whether how successful that remaining union will be. The new Union would have to be much closer and much stricter, that must be guaranteed from the very beginning by clear rules – and the easy possibility of enforcement. Whatever the EU is asked for today let it be to expel Hungary or to stop payments is not really possible under the legal framework we have today. Some still seem to think that the commission may send the army into member states to unseat a PM who is violating common law. No, it is impossible. I wrote very last possibility. First the members should take the opportunity to get rid of some principles that… Read more »
Re: ‘Start with “our money, our rules” right now. This year a budget period will end. A good time to convince the cherry pickers to co-operate’. Hmmm..something for a supposed ‘union’ of democracies to abide by? It has to be seen as a contradiction in thought if pan-European relationships begin with a Mount Olympus. It’s a setup showing red to the bulls. The EU is now the position of seeing a sea-change of thought and ideas in some member states. And those states are giving pushback to the principles established for members. It is turning out almost to be on a course of irresistable force meeting immovable object. And it doesn’t appear to be a successful club. Nobody is having ‘fun’. Before the EU will destroy itself ‘suffering’ to the changes occurring in the V4 they may want to think ahead of a negotiated Euroexit (just in case) for some countries since it is evident those are not interested in a total cooperative mood as they look at Brussels as economic and political hegemon. Nothing good can come with continued conflict based in the EU. It will exhaust itself making a shell of its original mandate. And ironically the Union… Read more »
When the general public frustrations and anger, over the extreme level of dysfunctionality demonstrated by a current majority of Hungarian politicians and officials, as well as profound confusion about basic democratic values among the people, are successfully kept out of the public debate, it is only natural to turn these against the EU, and expect/demand/wish that the EU, by itself, morphs into something it was never meant to be. However – It is also, albeit unintentionally, directly supportive of the destructive populist agenda, which inadvertently cultivates conditions that promote negative feelings of frustration, doubt and anger, among people. At this very moment, Hungary, as the rest of Europe, stands in a national crisis of historic dimensions and with all probability, right now, a death-rate in the neighborhood of 3.5% of the infected, takes it’s daily toll in all parts of society. An economic recession, deeper than anything, seen in the last 80 years, is the second stage of this crisis. When the time comes to deal with the wayward punk teen-behavior of the Hungarian government, it will also be a time of contemplation and evaluation of the effects of the crisis – Which do you think will have the focus… Read more »
“Which do you think will have the focus and higher priority?” Which what? and for whom?
A little historical perspective is called for here, surely. It was not so long ago that some 600,000 lives were extinguished as a result of the efforts of the Hungarian government and gendarmerie and some awful people bombed the crap out of Budapest and other Hungarian cities, but the country bounced back from that.
3.5% of 623 people amounts to the tragic loss of 22 persons. Serious enough, but well, not quite the same is it?
Back in 1944 the government supported and operated a reign of terror and degradation.
Today the government is much more sophisticated. It just robs the people blind (everybody pays) through a legislation-solid scheme operated by the Thief-in-Chief and now has voted for itself untouchable power not subject to any outside control.
As to the European Union in, do you honestly believe that it should have no interest in what is going in the Karmelita?
Bimbi – The national historic reference, as dramatic as it is, is not really something to write home about, in a larger European context.
I don’t think the rest of Europe is willing to adopt your perspective.
@Michael Detreköy, 8:07 am
I am sorry, I just don’t get your point in your 6:32 am post. Perhaps you could answer the question at the start of my 7:38 am post? And then, “your perspective”? My perspective about what? Turning off the money tap or something else? Enlightenment!
Bimbi – Well, my point is that, no matter how much one could wish for it, there isn’t any basis in the EU-“rules” for direct intervention or siding in the internal politics of a member state. There are conditions to meet for funding, which could be revised, and the flow of money can be reduced, pending certain specified changes, but not much more than that.
The EU was never meant to take the role of the controlling parliamentary supervisor of it’s members. Sure, declarations can be made, but that is just talk. Direct influence of a member within the EU can be limited, but the ultimate responsibility for changing behavior, lies with the individual member, as a body of people. This is fundamental.
About perspective, I meant that fear of historic repetition, although it is a strong motivator for choosing and nurturing democratic values, as it was the case during the 40’s and 50’s, is a very negative factor. It’s not exactly what drives the EU today and the majority of members are not very likely to wish to “go there” again. Many would probably prefer to go on alone.
@István, 8:03 am
Now that really catches the spirit of things.
I think there has to be thick earplugs under the chain. Also missing are welding glasses.
Perfecto..👍👍👍
Addition to the ‘missing’….a blindfold..😎 ‘Nobody sees nuthin’ anymore’
Don, with earplugs and behind black glasses we can’t fulfill our obligation to watch M1 and to listen to Kossuth Radio!
Istvan we need more heroes like him Captain Brett Crozier
Biden: Trump administration showed ‘poor judgment’ in removing warship commander
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-navy-biden/biden-trump-administration-showed-poor-judgment-in-removing-warship-commander-idUSKBN21L07Y
See https://www.navytimes.com/home/left-column/2020/04/03/watch-the-heros-farewell-sailors-gave-their-fired-theodore-roosevelt-skipper/
From “About Hungary” today:
http://abouthungary.hu/news-in-brief/coronavirus-heres-the-latest/
“08:10 AM – April 2: Epidemic response law ends when state of emergency ends
The justice minister has stressed that Hungary’s new law which enhances government powers to tackle the coronavirus epidemic will be in effect until the end of the state of emergency.”
I don’t think anyone doubted that. The question others have been asking is,”When will the state of emergency end?” and, of course that will be decided by the Prime Minster. Gosh, that couldn’t be the reason people are calling this a “Power Grab”, could it?
In nursery schools they call that sort of answer, “Kerekecske Gombócska” going round in circles.
The end of the “state of emergency”
For clues one can look at the “emergency” with the non coming migrant waves – it’s been on since 2015. Justification? There are no migrants at the borders, but they may come again one day…
Actually some epidemic is sure to come one day, hence we better be prepared to combat it with a strong dictatorship …
Another addition to the anti-malarial drug story (this time in the NYTimes), in which Orban and his state security possee believes, and is a big thing on the right wing internet. These often fringe right wing sources are the source from which Orban’s people mine their info from.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/technology/doctor-zelenko-coronavirus-drugs.html
Interesting. I first read about Dr. Zelenko on a Jewish-Hungarian website that is anything but right wing: https://neokohn.hu/2020/04/02/tovabb-folytatja-diadalmenetet-a-chabados-orvos-amerikaban/
In France or Spain, doctors are experimenting with a malaria drug. The problem is that patients who are dependent on the drug cannot get it anymore because some doctors in the US have stocked up on it for themselves and their families. Furthermore, there has been some medication by laymen who have heard trumps trumpeting that it should help. The man died, the woman was admitted to the intensive care unit. It must have been a week ago when I read it in the US press … so no link.
FYI neokohn (ie. a pun on neoconservative and the Jewish name kohn) is a right wing site.
It is operated people close to Slomo Köves, the Lubavitcher fidesznik Jewish cult leader.
Just so you know.
That’s why it has a tab “Migráció”. But for sure the poster knew it as well.
A little vicc of the day under ‘cabin-fever’…which most are under…
What the EU wakes up to each and every day when listening to V4 radio..
Nothing like the ‘Vee 4 and ‘We 5’ ….👍
https://youtu.be/s1ZvYY-QfoE
By accident I came across a video that the Hungarian Serial Democracy Killer has [ordered others to] uploaded: “Day 22 – 10th meeting of the Action Groups”
Without having seen it, you’ll never ever be able to understand how far OV can exceed all your expectations.
https://www.facebook.com/orbanviktor/videos/214746623083816/
Please who are not lost for words, gasping for fresh air, and so on, after such…
Oh poor Hungarians having their lives in the hands of somebody, who first of all wants to “inform” about above @##$%$%%$#@#%&&%$
That looks like a real Budiwood production.
Alanis had only one hand in her pocket.
The Hungarian Serial Democracy Killer needed
to glue both his hands in his pockets [see his FB video]
to prevent… further killing?
Good guess! Clear though, that the director of the Budawood production is a fan of fashion shows on the catwalk.
Fidesz is sending a firm message to the EU: MORE RESPECT TO HUNGARY! BACK OFF!
Meaning: “You are just too stupid to send us money without conditions but if you do so we accept that and steal it; otherwise shut the fuck up. Muhhahahah.”
Insane, but the EU lets this.
https://444.hu/2020/04/03/fidesz-uzent-brusszelnek-tobb-tiszteletet-magyarorszagnak
Marty – Even if Hungary continues to insist that politics are matters of personal honor, national pride and religious traditions, it is still just business to the majority in the EU.
An interesting and relevant video on YouTube discussing what the UK government needs to do (and what it has not done to now) to develop a strategy to end the health and economic devastation that is the coronavirus pandemic is at:
The speaker is Phil Moorhouse from Huddersfield, Yorks. who presents a series under the general heading “a Different Bias”. He states that no one will know whether the infection is over without large-scale testing of the population as whole, a policy notably followed by Germany, where the death rate is very low, as well as by the WHO.
Such an action in Hungary would be a welcome move against the virus and would not require the delivery of a fist-full of decrees. After all, without knowing the number of the infected how can we know when the self-isolate regime will end? The faster it ends, the better for the country. At present swabs have been taken from 17,000 or 1in 560 persons. Let us hope an expansion in testing is being considered.
“Such an action in Hungary would be a welcome move against the virus and would not require the delivery of a fist-full of decrees.”
Bimbi, there is already an answer on large-scale testing in Hungary by Müller: “Nem szükséges tesztelni az egész országot, felesleges (No need to test the entire country, unnecessary)”
https://444.hu/2020/04/03/muller-cecilia-nem-szukseges-tesztelni-az-egesz-orszagot-felesleges