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Leonhard, Ralf
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3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Orbán sees himself as winner against EU
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Wednesday before the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the laws the EU objects to could be "quickly and easily" corrected. The left-leaning daily taz remains sceptical: "In the course of the debate, the rift in the European Parliament was exposed when on Tuesday it proved unable to defend with one voice the treaty violation proceedings already decided against Hungary. As in recent months, the EPP faction formed a protective shield warding off attacks against its Hungarian party associate. ... The Conservatives and Christian Democrats celebrated the long overdue replacement of the Stalininst constitution with a modern basic law that protected minorities and basic rights. ... The satisfied smile that repeatedly flitted over Orbán's face during the debate betrayed the fact that Hungary's prime minister already sees himself as the victor. He will be able to pass off small amendments to the criticised laws as minor details to his clientele, while at the same time acquiescing to Brussels' wishes."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Hungary, » Europe
The scapegoats in the crisis
The German left-wing daily die tageszeitung comments on the situation of the Roma in Hungary in the context of the current financial and economic crisis. "Although Hungary cultivates the romantic gypsy clichés and the fiddle-playing 'cigan' (gypsy) at restaurants for the tourists, the latter rarely get to see how the Roma really live. Even most Hungarians have never set foot in a Roma slum. ... The economic boom has passed by the East and the areas where the Roma live without a trace. The aggressive mood against the minority is magnified by the media. And local politicians can be sure of winning the approval of the majority if they promise to make community service a condition for Roma receiving unemployment benefits. ... The deeper the political and economic crisis in Hungary becomes, the more people turn to the right-wing extremist groups. Following riots during demonstrations some of the culprits of the violence were arrested, but their only punishment was a brief spell in prison. It's no wonder people don't expect to be prosecuted or punished for crimes against the 'gypsies'."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Integration, » Minorities, » Hungary
Austria takes the reins of Europe
The future of the Balkan States will also be decided in Vienna, writes Ralf Leonhard on the beginning of Austria's EU presidency. "What we are talking about here is nothing less than the collapse of Serbia, the old opponent to Austrian power politics in the Balkans. In May the EU will decide whether Romania and Bulgaria will be allowed to join in 2007 or be forced to wait until 2008. The most complicated issues, however, do not lie directly within the competence of the EU. In the first six months of 2006, Montenegro will decide per referendum on the future state structure of Serbia-Montenegro. And the negotiations on the definitive status of the Serbian province of Kosovo, which is currently under international administration, are due to begin at the end of January. These will be held in Vienna it is true, but they will be conducted within the framework of the UN.
» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Europe
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