Opposition pledges to put universities under state control in 2022
The opposition parties have pledged that once in power after the 2022 elections, they would put Hungary’s universities under state control again.
In a press conference held in front of the Parliament building on Tuesday, Párbeszéd, Jobbik, the Socialists, the Democratic Coalition (DK), LMP and Momentum unanimously declared that the “stolen assets” would be returned to the nation.
Earlier today, parliament approved the transfer of several universities from the state to private foundations. The universities transferred represent 70 percent of Hungary’s students. Details HERE.
Sándor Burány, deputy group leader of Parbeszed, said that
ruling Fidesz “seems to be fearing failure” in next year’s elections and tries to gain control over as much public assets as possible.
Jobbik deputy leader György Szilágyi accused pro-government lawmakers of squandering public assets.
He warned the board members of the foundations in question to take due care of the properties put under their control as “those causing damage to the nation and stealing our money” would be prosecuted after 2022.
Socialist lawmaker László Szakács said that
while the country is focussing on fighting the pandemic, Viktor Orbán’s government transfers about one thousand billion forints worth of public assets to foundations led by “Fidesz soldiers”.
He noted that the foundations’ board members could not be replaced or recalled.
DK deputy group leader Gergely Arató said universities would be privatised with a view to giving the private foundations access to the huge EU funds earmarked for developing higher education, and then enabling them to “distribute the money among cronies”.
LMP group leader László Lóránt Keresztes said the law would put the universities’ assets under political control. He noted that
Europe’s best universities are generally controlled by the state.
He added that the opposition parties, once in power, would restore the autonomy of universities.
Momentum board member Miklós Hajnal said
“Orbán is preparing for a defeat but he is a bad loser because he would like to finance his defeat from taxpayer money.”
He accused the prime minister of seeking to build “an alternative state” and retain control over higher education, “landed property, castles and stocks”, he said.
2 Comments
The Hungarian opposition ‘SAUSAGE PARTY’ sure can ‘talk the talk’ but it is MOST UNLIKELY that this motley bunch of uneducated, rabid fools will ever be able to ‘walk the walk’.
When the present FIDESZ-led Government is re-elected (by a landslide) at next year’s general elections, it will be very interesting to see how many of the insignificant opposition politicians actually retain a seat in Parliament. Very few, I suspect …..
Yes but when he’s re-elected he just has to make sure all the votes have been counted before he does his victory walk. Don’t want him looking like Putin do we.