Comment du Jour

28 April


Magyar Mirth

An electoral Tsunami swamped Hungary's ruling Socialist Party in recent elections, returning the Conservatives to power. The Socialists who mis-ruled Hungary over the past eight years were mired in corruption, cronyism and jolted by the effects of the global economic recession.

When polls closed, the conservative Fidesz Party gained 68 percent of the popular vote and a thumping 263 seats out of 386 seats in the Budapest parliament. The Socialists (many of them ex-communists) came in second with 15 percent and 59 seats. The far-right Jobbik party had 12 percent while the Greens got 4 percent.

Fidesz promised to revive the once thriving economy and create jobs and lower taxes. It is about time. Massive government spending and a crippling DEBT may prove an albatross to reform.

Viktor Orban is set to become prime minister; the former soccer star was PM in the 1990's after Hungary's gained full sovereignty following the fall of communism.

Hungary is a member of the European Union and NATO.