Hungarian FM to CNN: There is no systemic corruption, but the EU keeps insulting us
Systemic corruption in Hungary would hobble growth and keep investors away, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on CNN’s Quest Means Business programme on Thursday.
Anchor Richard Quest cited the OECD’s report on Hungary saying that the organisation had called on Hungary to take significant steps regarding bribery and corruption.
Szijjártó said: “If there is a country with a clear growth path, [in spite of] all kinds of difficulties including Covid, the war in the neighbourhood, including not receiving monies from the EU … the economy grows year by year. We break investment records year by year. Would you think it would be possible if there was system[ic] corruption? In case of systemic corruption, there is no growth, investors are not coming…”, Szijjártó said, calling the report “a clear accusation”.
Regarding the “attacks” calling into question the state of the rule of law in Hungary, Szijjártó said: “They insult us continuously … Their problem is, I think, that here is a government which is anti-mainstream. This is a right-wing government, this is a Christian Democratic government, this is a very patriotic government, this government goes against international liberal mainstream on many important issues, and in the meantime, this government is successful…”
Commenting on his earlier statement on “pressure of godless ideologies” on Hungarian politics, Szijjártó said “there are tendencies which condemn religious organisations, which think that being religious is somehow retrograde, something bad … I do believe that religion is very important … And we should be aware of one issue for sure, that Christianity unfortunately became the most persecuted religion on Earth … [Hungary] feels responsible for the Christian community.”
Source: CNN
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8 Comments
Also on Quest Means Business – Mr. Bod had some interesting observations. Some do not appear to gel with Mr. Szijjártó’s:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXcKWNlLgeg
“Inflation is too high, interest is too high, the deficit is too high.”
Former Central Bank of Hungary Governor Péter Ákos Bod talks the Fed’s rate decision and his country’s economy.
The E.U. is a giant, corrupt, anti-democratic, anti-European bully. Plain and simple. May gods help us if they ever form an army of their own; it’ll turn into the Soviet Union before you know it.
CNN has no credibility. They dust off the propaganda written in 2010. Every few years, CNN invites a Hungarian government representative, and they parrot the 2010 propaganda against the government rep.. Talking to CNN hosts is a waste of time.
@marivontheresia – “Inflation is too high, interest is too high, the deficit is too high.” was Mr. Bod. Not Mr. Quest.
Regardless – any journalism with critical questions is good. Keeps our Politicians accountable. And Mr. Quest is quite balanced.
One particular question by Mr. Quest after Mr. Szijjártó discusses all the perceived politically motivated attacks against Hungary: “are you against everyone?” – the EU (MEPs), OECD, OSCE, Transparency International – not much of an answer. However from the combative tone – he has a point. Who are are friends? Mr. Carlson, Mr. Trump, Mrs. Meloni and Mrs. Le Pen?
These are the same people pushing the war in Ukraine. They are the same people insisting Ukraine was corrupt before they decided to overthrough its 2 time elected leader- that was over 10 years ago, when the Biden family was the most corrupt – everything they blamed the previous goverment got much worse and the now president and his regime are responsible for the war and escalated corruption off the charts- some people are getting very rich- over 120 billion to Ukraine and no accountability for it.
I thought Zelensky was the comedian but Szijjarto clearly is the greater comedian. Be aware that the two oldest tricks are to misuse religion and nationalism to hook public opinion. Religion should be a private matter. The Fidesz government uses it to incite people and distract them from real issues such as the declining standard of living. Szijjarto says that this is a “very patriotic government”. Is he trying to say the other parties are somehow less patriotic? What Hungarian “patriot” prostrates himself before the Kremlin after what the Russians had done to Hungary for decades – the executions, the torture, the decades of repression, the crushing of brave Hungarian patriots in 1956. There is an old saying that “patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” Hungarians be aware.
Catholics were only called a threat in the US.
…Where there is smoke, there is fire.