4 critical instances when the Hungarian state failed its citizens
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The failures of the Hungarian state, tightly controlled by the government, extend beyond child protection to areas such as assistance for Ukrainian refugees, healthcare and education. At a recent mass demonstration in Hungary, a prevailing sentiment was the belief that the state has failed its citizens.
Childcare
Edina Pottyondy, a prominent YouTuber and organiser of the event, voiced concerns about the failure to address child abuse and protect children. She cited the scandal involving Katalin Novák, the former head of state, Judit Varga, the former Minister of Justice and Zoltán Balog, former bishop of the Reformed Church and their handling of pardons. Zsolt Osváth, another YouTuber and organiser of the protest, highlighted that children in institutions receive only HUF 72,000 (EUR 186) annually for clothing and bedding. The organisers (including Márton Gulyás, activist, and YouTuber) revealed the establishment of a fund in collaboration with the Street to Home Association to assist an abused boy who had become homeless upon leaving state care. According to RTL, their goal was to raise HUF 25 million (EUR 64,613) by Sunday for his housing and support, which they surpassed, collecting a total amount of HUF 204 million (EUR 527,242). The conclusion of this whole situation is that:
Civil society stepped in where the government and state failed to address the issue at hand, highlighting a significant gap in responsibility.
Welcoming of refugees
Two years ago, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the government’s delayed response left refugees in limbo. By the time the BOK hall was designated to shelter them, the influx had subsided. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to refugees in Debrecen, where he famously told a Ukrainian woman “I am glad to see you,” highlighted the government’s disarray in handling the crisis. In contrast, civilians in the Keleti Railway Station stepped up, organising aid seamlessly and efficiently. This scenario was similar to the response during the unprecedented refugee wave in 2015, where private individuals and NGOs mobilised to provide care, reception and information to refugees.
But Hungary why complain about these failures when Fidesz is protecting you from the evils of liberalism, Brussels, George Soros, and America which is the pinnacle of evil as far as Orban and his friend Putin is concerned? Hungary is now a “great nation” which will run Europe and bring “illiberalism” to the yearning masses and make sure that all wealth is concentrated into the hands of only those loyal to Fidesz.. What joy it must be to live in Hungary with glorious leader Viktor Orban who brings happiness to all.