Magyars and moans

摘要

Summer has brought little relief for Viktor Orban, Hungary's pugnacious prime minister. His ruling right-wing Fidesz party is increasingly assailed by critics, at home and abroad. On May 2nd the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs issued a stinging draft report that set out growing concerns about Hungary's new constitution and centralisation of power. It called for a new mechanism to ensure that European Union members comply with its values. Fidesz angrily decried double standards, saying the criticisms were an attempt to "colonise Hungary" under "international guardianship". As the European Parliament is dominated by Fidesz's allies in the European People's Party it is unlikely to approve the report's recommendations.