Even before the rotating presidency of Twenty-Seven for six months, from January 1, Budapest is the subject of criticism more vivid after the adoption of a controversial law which could undermine the freedom of the press. The Hungarian Parliament adopted on 21 December, a series of measures to regulate the media.Publications that produces content that would not be "politically balanced" or "impeding human dignity" - the law does not specify these notions - are promised to heavy fines: up to 200 million forints (720,000 euros) for TVs and 25 million (90,000 euros) for newspapers or websites. The body responsible for imposing these fines did nothing pluralistic: the five members of the Media Council are from Fidesz, the party of conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
This authority will also inspect all instruments and documents of the newspaper complained, before identifying a crime. And journalists could êtreobligés to disclose their sources on issues related to national security. The Hungarian press aspen. In protest, some newspapers have published front pages empty.
The climate seems particularly tense public radio, where two journalists were fired for having publicly expressed their opposition to the law by observing a minute's silence in the air. The "a" of the weekly Magyar Narancs, December 2, 2010. Magyar Narancs "If it is misused, [this legislation] would reduce to silence media criticism and public debate in the country," has alarmed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe through the voice of Dunja Mijatovic OSCE representative for media freedom.
Sanctions against Hungary? Germany and Luxembourg have publicly condemned the text. "The time of Pravda is over," thundered the leader of the Liberals in the European Parliament, Belgium's Guy Verhofstadt. Greens them, asking the Commission européenned'exiger Hungary to withdraw its law, even to consider possible sanctions.
For now, Brussels has simply said "follow this case very closely." There is no indication that things go further. "In 2000, the EU sanctions against Austria after joining the government's far-right leader Joerg Haider, had not shown their effectiveness", said Fabio Liberti, director of research at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS).
"Everything will depend on the application of this law, but do not rule out the possibility of sanctions," warns Daniel Cohn-Bendit, however, does not exclude "a possible rise of tension" between MEPs and the Hungarian government. The temptation hegemonic party conservateurOutre this controversial law is more generally taken a conservative shift in the country that worries other European countries.
The Fidesz party, in power since the general elections of April, has more than two-thirds of the seats in Parliament, allowing it to amend the constitution at will. Thus, in response to invalidation by the Constitutional Court for a budget measure flagship premier late October, members have simply allowed the Court to decide on all the texts concerning the budget, taxes unless they affect the implementation of international treaties or human rights.
Gradually, Viktor Orban is placing the faithful in all key positions of state: President of the Republic, President of the Court of Accounts, Attorney General ... Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest, July 15, 2010. AP / BELA SZANDELSZKYLa populist wave that brought Orban government in power is largely explained, by Fabio Liberti, by the very poor economic situation of Hungary.
"This is a very complex country, which has always been the star pupil of Europe and the IMF in the 1990s, but was one of the first victims of the 2008 financial crisis and forced to seek outside help , where a sense of frustration and humiliation, "says the researcher. A danger to Europe? Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, which established a chair of the European Council - currently Herman Van Rompuy - the role of rotating presidencies was theoretically reduced.
"But the country that chairs the board still keeps a power strong enough pulse on the calendar, notes Fabio Liberti. The priorities chosen by Hungary - energy security, European defense, pooling of military capabilities, the situation of Roma - are still real questions of substance. "" The action of the Hungarian government will obviously be bordered by other countries.
He may not act as he acts at home and can not lead Europe into the abyss, recognizes Daniel Cohn-Bendit. But this case represents a serious handicap for the position of Europe on human rights. "If Europe is therefore likely to suffer from the populist image that refers Hungary today" the real problems lie elsewhere, in Paris or Berlin, slice Fabio Liberti.
Here lies the real European leadership. "Ilan Caro
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