Hungary strains against the shackles
It’s 2006; fifty years after Hungary’s anti-communist freedom fighters sought to throw off the yoke of oppression in 1956 by taking to the streets. Amazingly, the current day Hungarians have continued to elect those same (now, former) communists to hold high office. Those who fail to learn from history…
In a stunning media leak, the entire nation of Hungary got to hear a recorded conversation which Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány (the equivalent Adrian Nastase as former-communist leader of the current Socialist Party) had with his corrupt socialist buddies wherein they discussed the various details of how they’ve lied repeatedly during past elections in order to win office.
Now, many Hungarians have previously asserted this was true, but only in the context of the underhand softball of political rhetoric. What this leaked confession represents is incontrovertible evidence to every Hungarian who might have thought the government was legitimate. Like the Romanian PSD, they engage in utter hogwash and smokescreen as part of their whatever-works approach to retaining power over the people.
“We lied in the morning. We lied in the evening,” he said. “Hungarians want to live like those in the west, but they are unwilling to adopt the western norms.”
“We made people believe that they have nothing to do, that we will give them happiness as a gift.”
Hungary is running the EU’s highest budget deficit and on September 1 submitted a tough austerity package aimed at bringing Budpaest in line with Brussels fiscal rules that underpin the euro.
What’s curious is when one applies a scholarly analysis to the contents of the tape, one might notice there are actually several positive aspects to the leak in that the Socialists really trot out the pomp and circumstance… beating the drums of confidence, strength, and true reform. A hail mary. It is possible to theorize this leak was intentionally acted out to influence the populace into rallying around the reinvigorated and newly-honest power brokers in the hallowed halls. Could it be true?
It’s an interesting idea. And one which analysts of Hungarian politics believe may very well have been exactly that: propoganda, directly from Page 1 of the classic communist playbook, designed to reinforce The Great Leader. Only it appears to have backfired.
My gut reaction is to think that the PM was probably having an honest conversation with his drones. He probably did beat them over the head with a speech about how their past lies and cheating have put them in a position where they really need to dig in and work hard to keep Hungary from economic collapse. A sort of inspirational lockeroom berating by a panicky coach during a hopeless halftime.
There is not much choice. There is not, because we have screwed up. Not a little but a lot. No country in Europe has screwed up as much as we have. It can be explained. We have obviously lied throughout the past 18 to 24 months. It was perfectly clear that what we were saying was not true.
We are beyond the country’s possibilities to such an extent that we could not conceive earlier that a joint government of the Socialists and the liberals would ever do. And in the meantime we did not actually do anything for four years. Nothing.
You cannot mention any significant government measures that we can be proud of, apart from the fact that in the end we managed to get governance out of the shit. Nothing. If we have to give an account to the country of what we have done in four years, what are we going to say?
I suspect it was probably a ‘real’ speech given to his lieutenants during a moment of supposed privacy. But someone leaked it, for the expressed purpose of deposing Gyurcsány. Not for any benevolent purpose. Just a raw backstab.
Who stands to gain? If the current Prime Minister were to resign, then the other ex-commies of the Socialist Party can slap all negativity on his scapegoated caricature while they themselves climb a little higher up the rungs. Afterall, someone’s gotta take the fall for the political party’s past psychopathy.
Hungarians are righteously pissed off. Last night, thousands took to the streets and exercised their collective muscle in a riot. Smashing buildings, lighting cars on fire. The people took over the state television station (akin to TVR) and then set it on fire, as a protest to eradicate the official apparatus of socialist lies. Police decked out in riot gear firing off tear gas grenades and blasting citizens with water cannons called for thousands of reinforcements and stormed the station to retake control. Classic stuff.
Sure, we can pause to all agree that riots are horrific means of demonstration, but I wouldn’t be alone in saying there are times when riots are a completely legitimate form of civil protest. Look back on history, most nations have “great events” involving riots. Even detractors must note that a riot does not quite reach the level of armed insurrection.
Hungarian law enforcement was obligated, of course, to protect the non-communist communists currently in power and lead a crackdown against the people. Apparently, 200 persons were injured as a result of clashes with police during the political protests calling for the immediate resignation of the lying prime minister. The Justice Minister has offered his resignation, but his cronies have — so far — asked him to stay.
Will there be a repeat? Will the Hungarian people come out again tonight to offer serious challenge to their government in one of the few forms left when faced with egregiously tyrannical overlords? You can bet the former-communists are better prepared for such an event. No doubt there will be a palpable tension amongst riot police as evening sets in.
Meanwhile, today, the anti-government protests continue as several hundred people are once again gathering in the capital this afternoon in what is currently a very peaceful, flag-waving vigil where participants want to see the former-communist socialist leaders step down from their positions in light of their admitted lies. Only a corrupt, powerhungry oligarchy would admit to a repeated pattern of sociopathic behavior and then insist on remaining in office despite the lies.
It’s dishonorable.
Not that honor means anything to a non-communist communist.
Stayed tuned for the next episode when scared politicans in Hungary stumble over one another in a rush to sacrifice a patsy or two in order to quelch the burning embers of most citizens, thus supplanting support for any further action and keeping their mafia squarely in control. Cha-ching. Yeehaw.
UPDATE: Sep 24
The violence of riots quieted down after a couple of night. Happily, the peaceful protests continue with crowds estimated well over 10,000 each night. Speculation, by some, is that the protests may reach as high as 20,000 people Saturday (tonight). I’m glad to see the pressure continue on Gyurcsany. In a symbolic gesture, he has suddenly decided to move his former-communist Socialist Party headquarters out of its historic location in a particular building that’s housed the communist party for decades… and into a new location to help create an air of change. However, the people seem to still want him to own up to his years of dishonorable lies and years of failed leadership by resigning. The buck stops here, Feri.
September 19th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
I’m not convinced that Gyurcsany was an ex-communist apparatchik in the same way that Nastase was. Though many in his party are. He’s only about 45 for a start.
September 19th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
Well, I can only reflect over the reaction of the hungarian people, which seem way more ‘alive’ than us, romanians.
As you probably know, there was a similar episode in Romanian media early this year (if I remember correctly). Search for ’stenograme PSD’ around, you’ll see what I mean.
No riots. Nothing. Actually, after two weeks there was really no word around about those recordings, and to this moment there was no reaction, but absolutely no reaction. Those recordings are even worse than the tape released to the Hungarian media - because they prove serious corruption acts in Romania.
But… I haven’t seen demonstrations, peaceful or not. I have seen only this incredible numbness that overtook the romanian people… And is spreading all around.
I hope our neighbours will make it, the right way. It’s good for them that they revolted. It shows they are still alive.
Way to go, Hungary!
September 20th, 2006 at 1:51 am
I disagree with Dorin’s “way to go”. I’m quite sure that Romania does not need to follow Hungary’s example and have riots started by the far-right nationalists…
Also, those Hungarians must be really naive thinking that other politicians don’t lie… The lies are an intrinsic part of politics: from the US to the UK and from France to China, their leaders lie all the time!
September 20th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
The most important lesson from this situation will be in how it’ll end. This is the first such moment in post-communist Eastern Europe and it might give many people many different ideas. I wonder if at the end, the EU will emerge as a loser or a winner. Because at this moment in time, that’s what matters to us, Romanians.
September 20th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Andy - I’m glad you brought up the comparison and the age difference. I’d say you have a point, but I think it is a relatively minor one. Nastase is about 10 years older than Gyurcsany, which essentially gave him a little more time to “cook” in the pseudo-Soviet system. However, they are remarkably similar.
Each of them had family members heavily involved in Communist leadership positions. Each of them set out to pursue a political life for themselves and continue in their families’ tradition of oppressing their fellow man. (Here is where Nastase had a little more time to demonstrate his rise within the Party, by a function of his age. Although, it should be noted that Gyurcsany was on a remarkably similar path well past college as the nomenklatura groomed dictators by DNA.)
At the time of Soviet collapse, both men immediately resumed their then-current positions inside new “non-communist” organizations that were identical replacements for their communist forebearers.
Each man positions was the beneficiary of the senior, wise, and protective members of their extended Communist families who worked diligently to abscound with state assets — unchallenged — and fill their collective pockets in order to maintain the bourgeoise superiority they had enjoyed while pretending to be marxists.
Much wealth and power of these related persons (and even friends, in an unholy alliance) were channelled successfully into positioning their ‘favorite son’ into positions of powerseats of the new non-communist communist party euphemistically called socialists.
Each became Prime Minister of his respective country when the former-communists were elected by the people.
Each man has scandals involving corruption, lies, and secret recordings.
And it was for these reasons, among other minor details, that I find much similarity between them. They do have their differences, however. Ferenc seems to be better at pretending he’s market-friendly because he got more training in that area. Adrian is better at old school blustering and posturing tactics. Feri’s on his 3rd wife (this time, landing himself a true counterpart by contracting with a female version of his communist-family-spoiled self) where as ol’ Adri is supposed to be something of a dandy man.
Dorin - That’s precisely my initial reaction: Romanians are a bunch of dead fish when it comes to political outrage (or motivation) compared to the fighting spirit of the Hungarians.
Or take the Orange Revolution of Ukraine. At a moment where it looked like PSD had successfully stolen the election, there were almost no demonstrations against the perversion of democracy… certainly nothing significant.
So, yeah, I had the same basic reaction regarding supporting the spirit.
Bogdan - I think you have a point about being leery of far-right nationalists. to keep them from co-opting legitimate abhorrence of one’s corrupt masters into some kind of neo-nazi revival.
I would, however, find it eminently viable to cast this in nationalist terms! That spirit of ‘56 was most definitely nationalist in its appeal to throw out the commies. Bear in mind that nationalism when used as a rallying point against tyranny does not mean ascension of the PRM-type folks who also harbor nationalist slogans for their agenda.
The Fidesz leader seems to be acknowledging the righteous indignation (of the peaceful protesters) while shunning the violence (of persons who are not necessarily the radical hooligans the Socialists would very much like the world to immediately characterize them as being).
Apparently, tens of thousands of people were out protesting. Largely peacefully. I love to see it and I hope they continue. Gyurcsany will surely be governing on borrowed time.
As for dishonesty, there are lies and damn lies. I think one ought not accept treachery from the leadership one finds oneself living under just because evil exists to varying degrees elsewhere. No, instead, I think it perfectly just to draw one’s own ideas as to when the line has been crossed an react appropriately to purge out the bad government.
Otherwise, we’ll all talk ourselves back into communist dictatorship simply because China has it. And the UK has become a police state. And the US is right on the same path. And the French are unwilling to push out a corrupt man. And leaders everywhere lie, cheat, and steal, so why bother when we can just bend over and take it?
Since I get the impression that this recorded conversation is likely real, I should note that I think it’s great the communist liars apparently find themselves in a position where coming clean and making reforms are the right thing to do. However, that doesn’t mean I feel they should remain in power.
No. It’s more like, “thanks for finally seeing the light, bozo. You’ve had your chance. Now get out of the way and let’s get some non-commies in here. Don’t cry, you’re still fabulously wealthy.”
Cristi - An excellent point of view. Though armchair quarterbacking has its place in determining that outcome.
September 21st, 2006 at 8:00 am
I really have to say that I find the equating of today’s demonstrators with those of 1956 somewhat offensive to their memory. Those people were rising up against an oppressive regime, and did so in the full knowledge that if things went against them they could be killed (and many of them were). These people are demonstrating against a democratically elected govt as is their right. I’m not for a moment criticising these demonstrators (aside from the fringe neo-nazi element who’ve piggy backed on the demos), but to equate their protest with those of 56 leaves a little bit of a bad taste to be honest.
I suspect you and I have slightly different political opinions - everything I’ve read of and by Orban Viktor makes me think he’d be an appaling leader of Hungary - but we agree on people’s democratic right to express themselves. Those in 56 had no such rights and did it anyway, with th full knowledge of what could happen.
September 21st, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Andy - You may be right that the correlation to ‘56 could quickly be overplayed. I think you’ve brought up an important distinction that may make my comparison seem a bit spurious to some folks. I’ll have to ponder on that a bit because I do feel there is a connection, but perhaps not as strongly as I’ve left the opening comment open to interpretation.
I certainly am a would-be opponent to the communists-turned-socialists, be that here in Romania or elsewhere. No, I don’t think enough old guard have been purged. Yes, I think most of the party members are literally dangerous.
We probably do disagree on a number of political opinions. I’m not incredibly well studied on Orban. Seems like he did a number of good things in the past back when Fidesz was winning international awards for Human Rights, but he’s apparently become increasingly unsavory over time with what I’ve understood to be antagonistic nationalism (probably as a cover for power and greed).
I very much dislike the idea that it’s either Gyurcsany or Orban. That’s the sort of trap Americans fall into. A false dichotomy of Kang or Kotos. Fortunately, Hungary has a recent history of some wild swings in political party favors, so the chance still exists for others to surprise everyone by stepping up as a seasonal contender.
As for me, I couldn’t be exactly sure, but my best guess it that I’d probably find myself most attracted to the espoused ideals of a group like SZDSZ (who, much to my chagrin, currently have a temporary alliance with their former archenemies MSZP).
I’d be very unlikely to support folks like MDF, KDNP, or any other organization who believed themselves to be legislating on behalf of a deity. HP looks kinda fun, but I can’t interpret what their actual planks are. The MIEP-Jobbik rats are the most dangerous I’m aware of.
I wouldn’t imagine that everything Fidesz stands for would be evil any more than I would think everything the non-communist communists now claim to stand for would be pure malarkey. Usually, no one party has a lock on Good(tm) and Truth(tm).