Hungary
Published on Mon, 2020-11-16 16:56
Supported by a supermajority in parliament and three landslide elections, in 2010, 2014 and 2018 the government of the Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has severely undermined the system of checks and balances, eliminated political and professional autonomy of most of the state institutions and allowed the capture of the state by influential groups – oligarchs and political players.
In October 2019, after years of paralysis and disarray of the Hungarian opposition, they obtained a surprise victory at the municipal elections, announcing changes that are still too early to predict.
|
|
Hungary: The dismantling of democracy
Supported by a supermajority in parliament and three landslide elections, in 2010, 2014 and 2018 the government of the Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has severely undermined the system of checks and balances, eliminated political and professional autonomy of most of the state institutions and allowed the capture of the state by influential groups – oligarchs and political players.
In October 2019, after years of paralysis and disarray of the Hungarian opposition, they obtained a surprise victory at the municipal elections, announcing changes that are still too early to predict.
Hungarian performance towards the SDGs is relatively good in the indicators of poverty and decent work, thanks to economic growth. However, significant challenges remain, in relation with the quality of education and of health services.
Simultaneously, the low energy efficiency of housing and polluting residential heating methods make air quality worse. Greenhouse gas emissions from transport have increased strongly over the last five years and emissions are projected to continue increasing under current policies. Water quality and supply remain concerns.
Hungary is only at an early stage of moving towards a circular economy and institutional issues impede more effective implementation of environmental laws and policies.
|
Published on Tue, 2017-10-10 00:00
Hungarian civil groups headed by the Hungarian United Left (MEBAL) called for a demonstration for 10 a.m. on 8th October 2017 in the heart of the previous Jewish ghetto of Budapest (i. e. on Klauzal Square, where 3 thousand killed Jews were piled up in 1944) in order to protest against the presently very powerful autocracy of the right-wing ruling power of FIDESZ and KDNP and the brutal police violence committed against Attila Vajnai, President of the European Left Workers Party 2006.
|
Published on Mon, 2017-09-04 07:49
When Hungarian government officials talk about implementing the SDGs they mean less public expenditure in social sectors. Between 2010 and 2015 the Orbán government on the one hand increased state expenditures, doubled spending on the economy, and significantly increased spending by allocating about US$ 340 million annually on sports, mainly for building football stadiums. On the other hand, it decreased expenditures on public health, education and pensions.
The government did not save only on pensioners, but also on unemployment benefits, by decreasing their size and duration even when they were taking place on an insurance basis. These measures decreased annual family support expenditures as well, which can be explained by a decrease in the number of children and the decades-long freeze in services. Social benefits were decreased, while extreme poverty increased over the past eight years.
|
Published on Fri, 2016-06-24 14:48
The contradictions between economic growth and a sustainable development approaches appear in National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development (NFSSD) 2012-2024. The first approach identifies classic economic growth as a priority goal; while the second emphasizes environmental preservation and, accordingly, a shift to sustainable consumption and production patterns. The ”decoupling” of economic growth and environmental destruction is envisaged, but it has so far not led to a reduction of the global environmental load in absolute terms, although it has contributed to a modest reduction in its rate of growth.
Whether the 2030 Agenda can live up to its promise to advance the sustainable development process and further international cooperation in this regard will only be seen in the implementation process: provided that it creates a precise and transparent monitoring system, argues the Hungarian civil society report.
|
|
Hungary has played a significant role in drafting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Before co-chairing, with Kenya, the Open Working Group on the Sustainable Development Goals (2013-2015), in 2013 Hungary organized the Budapest Water Summit, the final document of which called for the development of a stand-alone Sustainable Development Goal on Water and contained almost the same elements as those in SDG 6 on water and sanitation: namely improving sanitation and hygiene services, reducing pollution and increasing the re-use of untreated wastewater (e.g., for irrigation or industrial use), integrated water resources management and the protection of the environment. As a result, Hungary will convene the Budapest Water Summit in November 2016, designed to facilitate the implementation of the goals and targets connected to water as well as to identify technologies that combine traditional water management solutions with efforts to adapt to climate change, ensure energy security, sustainable food production, protect biodiversity, and improve public health.
Despite this, Hungary faces a number of challenges with regard to the SDGs, primarily how to address the European migration crisis by taking measures to reduce one of its root causes—poverty-- and how to finance this work with the help of the private sector and financial institutions. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without economic growth, equality, inclusion, justice and without the engagement of women and young people in education and business.
|
Published on Thu, 2013-06-06 00:00
Roma in Hungary. (Photo: OHCHR).
|
In Hungary a system has developed that is disrespectful to both the rule of law and constitutionalism. Hungary has turned against the democratic ideals of the world, civil liberties are restricted and today it is on a declining economic path. Political life is characterized by a murderous policy divergence, confrontation and a dangerous ideology-based polarization. The majority of the society is struggling with unjust and unequal relationships without even the hope offered by mutual solidarity. Hungary's international prestige, integrity and credibility are now at its lowest point.
|
|
