Government’s communication shows no result, Hungary’s economy is plummeting
Though the government says Hungary’s economy increases unprecedentedly, numbers do not support PM Orbán’s communication. Based on the data of the World Bank, Hungary fell behind in the last 25 years in the region.
According to 24.hu, the Orbán administration tried to sell Hungary as one of the most successful European countries economically. Meanwhile, inflation is at a 14-year peak, the forint is weakening, and the state budget struggles with a historic high deficit.
Based on the World Bank’s data, Hungary fell behind two places in the Central-Eastern-European region between 1995 and 2020.
The institution compared the economic development of 17 countries in CEE, taking GDP per capita.
The starting date is 1995 because that is from when the World Bank has data from all countries in the CEE region.
In 1995, Hungary was in fifth place if we take the GDP per capita. Slovenia was first in the CEE region, while the Czech Republic came second. However, the average Slovenian produced twice as much GDP as the average Czech (10,730 dollars vs 5,824 dollars). The third was Croatia, fourth Slovakia and fifth Hungary (4,495 USD per person). Interestingly, the Polish GDP per capita was only 82 pc of the Hungarian. However, thanks to liberal reforms, Warsaw was one of the fastest-growing economies of the CEE region in the last 25 years.
Poland developed by 150 pc between 1989 and 2019. Meanwhile, this rate was only 50 pc in Hungary’s case.
Estonia was well behind Hungary in 1995. But by 2020, Tallinn became the second most developed country in the region. An average citizen of the Baltic state made more than 23 thousand dollars in 2020. Experts say that Estonia profited a lot from their liberal education and economic reforms, and the digitalisation of the state. Meanwhile, the Hungarian GDP per capita grew only to 15,900 USD, which is only 69 pc of the Estonian number.
However, not only the Polish and the Estonians preceded Hungary. Latvia and Lithuania did so, too.
24.hu gave a detailed analysis of the milestones of the Hungarian economic development in the last 25 years. In 1995, the parliament accepted the Bokros-package, named after the Socialist Gyula Horn’s liberal economy minister. The package’s social effect was catastrophic, but it put the Hungarian economy on a growth course. 24.hu argues that Hungary did the same as Poland and Estonia, but the reforms came too late.
Hungary’s position did not change in the second half of the 1990s and at the beginning of the 2000s. However, in 2002, Hungary emerged in third place. That meant Budapest preceded even Croatia and Slovakia. 24.hu says that the increasing expenditures of
the first Orbán and Medgyessy-governments broke the budget balance.
Therefore, the Gyurcsány-cabinet (2004-2009) encouraged foreign currency loans to substitute state-supported real estate loans introduced by Viktor Orbán before. Even the central bank of Hungary did not say that the process was risky. However, when the exchange rate of forint collapsed, people having a foreign currency loan found themselves in a deadly trap. By 2007, the amount of this loan reached 272 bn HUF.
The result was that 61 thousand families struggled with paying back their loans. Their burden was so high, and those affected so many that they needed state help. Furthermore, the Hungarian state debt increased from 53 pc of the GDP (2002) to 80 pc (2010). After Gyurcsány’s Őszöd speech resulted in clashes in 2006 fall between the protesters and the police, Hungary started to fall back. By 2007, Hungary was seventh.
In 2009, the list was the following: Slovenia, Czechia, Slovakia, Estonia, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.
Moreover, in 2012, Hungary became 9th on the list in the region. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Croatia all preceded the country. That is when the cut in the utility fees came and saved the Orbán administration.
By 2015, Hungary went back to seventh place in the region. That has not changed since then.
Read alsoCould the emerging Hungarian superbank conquer the financial market?
The aquatic Attractions of Hungary’s Neighbouring Nations
When you think of sun, sea, sand and sailing, your mind tends to wander to France, Italy, and even the Netherlands. But some of the most beautiful waters to enjoy are based in Eastern Europe.
Hungary itself is landlocked, but its neighbouring countries offer some attractive water sports and sailing options, making these countries the perfect spot to borrow a boat.
Croatia
If you want to have your mind blown by beauty, then Croatia is one of the most luxurious looking coastal countries. In recent years it has become more popular with travellers who wish to enjoy great (and often surprising) prices, and coast that rivals some of Europe’s most visited coast countries.
The Adriatic paradise was a much-loved resort during the 1970s and 1980s. Then, during the war of secession from Yugoslavia, its tourism industry, like the rest of the country, took a significant hit. But, just over a decade after the conflict ended, Croatia is entirely safe, stable, and bustling with tourists.
And Croatia is only the start. Within a short distance of Croatia’s borders are appealing spots with their particular charms that stark contrast to the country’s sleepy beaches.
This western part of the former Yugoslavia — or, as locals prefer, the “Eastern Adriatic” — is one of Europe’s most pleasant areas.
Croatia’s coastline is its biggest draw, with 3,600 kilometres of shoreline and over 1,100 islands. Its pebbly beaches and consistently warm summer weather are famous among European vacationers. It’s also historically significant, with ruins of Roman arenas and Byzantine mosaics, as well as Venetian bell towers and Habsburg residences, all along the coast.
Slovenia
While much of Slovenia is inland, you can head to Koper, Izola and Piran to enjoy a slice of paradise. Slovenia only has 47km of coastline of the Adriatic sea – but what a coastline! The beaches are stunningly clean, and they are surrounded by Slovenia Gothic architecture, which is unlike anything you may have seen before.
The best way to really take in the 47km that it does offer is by boat. As the boat moves away from the shore, you notice that rocks surround many beaches with very little in the way of sandy beach.
It makes for an incredible view and is certainly worth taking a trip to see it.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
If you want to say that you have been to one of the smallest beaches to face the Adriatic water, then Bosnia-Herzegovina takes the crown. The Bosnia-Herzegovina coastal city Neum is sandwiched between Ploče and Dubrovnik.
It boasts about 22km of beach, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but this place is known as one of the hidden gems of Eastern Europe.
Bosnia and Herzegovina may appear to be landlocked at first glance, but it does have its own chunk of the magnificent Adriatic.
If you still don’t believe that Bosnia has beaches, you’ll need to zoom in on a map, and you’ll see the tiny sliver of coast called the Bosnian Riviera. The Adriatic Sea between Split and Dubrovnik, notably the beaches at Neum, are extraordinarily clean, and the water is sparkling.
Neum developed a coastal retreat and a tourist industry in the last 1960s – and has enjoyed the label of Hidden Gem ever since.
The bay is so clean and well-maintained because it is closed and enjoys protection from the strong Pelješac Peninsula winds.
Making Neum the perfect hot spot for parasailing, jet-skiing, scuba-diving – or simply enjoying the sight by boat rental for a few hours.
Montenegro
If you are hoping to find one of the most photogenic locations to spend a few days, then Montenegro is the only place you should be going. A few beaches are worth visiting, including Sveti Stefan, Murici Beach, and Mala Plaža.
Starting with Sveti Stefan.
One of the most attractive coastal towns in the Balkans, Sveti Stefan is situated on a peninsula separated from the mainland by a tiny strip of land.
The entire old village on the peninsula has been transformed into a luxurious hotel resort so you can practically stay in a centuries-old building. However, you can also just admire it from the shore.
A beach that is not on the coast is Murici Beach, which is located on the shores of Lake Skadar. Lake Skadar is a must-see for anybody going through Montenegro, an area known for its old monasteries, superb wineries, and stunning natural beauty. This beach is a great place to unwind after kayaking on the lake, trekking in the nearby hills, or touring the old, authentic lakeside villages.
Mala Plaža is the marker for the most southern point of Montenegro. It is an old seaport on the outskirts of Ulcinj that has been occupied and operating ever since the Bronze Age.
With beautiful white sand and plenty of space, this beach is a lovely way to spend a day lounging or exploring the unusual town of Ulcinj, where the area is infused with distinct Eastern influences thanks to a substantial Muslim community.
The abundance of stunning mosques and Middle Eastern cuisine to explore will appeal to design and culture enthusiasts.
There is no end to the beauty experienced at these stunning coastlines, from the expansive Croatian coastline to the small but perfectly proportioned Neum. So the next time you are thinking about jetting off on holiday, make these locations the top of your list.
Christmas presents sent to 20,000 ethnic Hungarian kindergarteners living abroad – VIDEO
The Rákóczi Association is sending Christmas presents to 20,000 ethnic Hungarian kindergarteners as a way of encouraging their parents to send them to Hungarian-language schools.
The gift packages being sent to some 1,000 localities across the Carpathian Basin will include candy and a children’s book, along with a letter encouraging parents to enroll their kids in Hungarian schools, the association told MTI on Thursday.
The Rákóczi Association is committed to
encouraging ethnic Hungarians to attend Hungarian-language schools
, and is “convinced that choosing a Hungarian school is the best decision both for the child’s future well-being and the survival of Hungarian communities”, the statement said.
The association and its partners will send out the packages between Dec. 6 and 20.
Hungarian-Croatian cultural heritage exhibition opens in Budapest – PHOTO GALLERY
An exhibition with over 300 artefacts demonstrating the history of Hungarian-Croatian cultural relations opened in the Hungarian National Museum (MNM) on Thursday.
Entitled “Ars at virtus. Croatia – Hungary: 800 Years of Common Cultural Heritage”, the exhibition has been organised by MNM and Zagreb’s Galerija Klovicevi dvorival.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Human Resources Minister Miklós Kásler noted that the two nations’ history had become intertwined as early as after the death of Croatian King Zvonimir in 1089, when the Croatian crown had been offered to King Ladislaus I of Hungary.
MNM Chief Director László L. Simon said that the sister exhibition of this show had become the exhibition of the year in Croatia in 2020.
Nina Obuljen Korzinek, Croatia’s minister of culture and media, said the Zagreb exhibition had been the central cultural event of Croatia’s EU presidency.
The Budapest exhibition will remain open to the public until March 15, 2022.
Read alsoBreaking news! Croatia top court affirms prison sentence for MOL chief Hernádi – UPDATE
Omicron variant detected near Hungary + latest COVID data
The omicron variant of the virus was detected in Croatia, the country’s public health institution told yesterday. Based on the HZJZ’s decision, regardless of whether one is vaccinated or not, they have to go to a 14-day-long quarantine provided they got in touch with people having the South-African variant.
According to portfolio.hu, those concerned have to do a PCR test on both the first and last day of their quarantine. The Croatian public health authority announced on Monday the detection of the new variant in two citizens. They took part in an international conference a couple of days before. Later that day, they published a new statement clearing that
they found the third omicron-infected patient.
In Croatia, there are 2,436 patients treated in hospitals, 319 of them receive respiratory assistance.
Reuters reported that “British drugmaker GSK (GSK.L) said on Tuesday its antibody-based COVID-19 therapy with U.S. partner Vir Biotechnology (VIR.O) is effective against all mutations of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.”
New Hungarian coronavirus test detects 99% of the variants in 6-10 minutes
In Hungary, altogether 213 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 6,849 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday. So far 6,166,840 people have received a first jab, while 5,874,429 have been fully vaccinated. Altogether
2,824,464 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
The number of active infections stands at 184,295, while hospitals are treating 7,206 Covid-19 patients, 607 of whom need respiratory assistance. Since the first outbreak, 1,168,728 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 36,048. Fully 948,385 people have made a recovery. There are 47,718 people in official quarantine, while the number of tests taken stands at 8,701,776.
Read alsoThese are the positive and negative news about the new Omicron variant
FM Szijjártó: EU energy policy is overly politicised, even though statements will not heat homes
Those slamming Hungary for cooperating with Russia on energy issues have themselves failed to act to diversify energy resources in the region, Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade, told the Budapest LNG Summit on Monday.
Hungary has a “responsible” energy policy, and often warned in recent years that European energy supplies were in danger, he said. The European Union’s policy has failed to prepare for and prevent an impending energy crisis, “they should have focused on pragmatic decisions rather than a dogmatic approach,” he said.
Despite “a few steps forward”, the EU’s energy policy has failed to radically change the situation in its most vulnerable region, Szijjártó said. EU energy policy is overly politicised, even though “statements will not heat homes,”
he said. Meanwhile, the western European gas reservoirs were not filled to the necessary degree, and the EU neglected to provide a transitional period in the transition to green economy, he said.
“Nuclear energy is discriminated against,” he said.
Hungary, on the other hand, has always supported plans aiming to strengthen energy security, such as the construction of an LNG terminal in Croatia and interconnectors in neighbouring countries, Szijjártó said.
Although “it was common knowledge that Hungary’s contract with Russia would expire this year,” critics of the deal failed to ensure the investment, funding and infrastructure upgrades necessary for diversification, Szijjártó said. Thus,
“Hungary had to enter a new contract with Gazprom, which, whether we like it or not, is a significant player in the region,” he said.
The contract ensures reliable and affordable energy security in Hungary, Szijjártó said.
Regarding further diversification, Szijjártó said Azerbaijan’s gas resources may contribute to a solution to the problem. While the Croatian LNG terminal is “historically important and contributed to keeping utility prices low in Hungary”, its capacity will not make a substantial difference in diversification, he said.
Energy diversification is an important issue, but Hungary’s government will continue to work on ensuring supply security in the country, he said.
Read alsoHungary ready to live up to 2050 environmental commitments, says minister
Breaking news! Croatia top court affirms prison sentence for MOL chief Hernádi – UPDATE
Croatia’s supreme court on Monday affirmed a Zagreb court’s prison sentence for Zsolt Hernádi, the chairman-CEO of Hungarian oil and gas company MOL, and former Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader, the local press reported.
In December 2019, the Zagreb County Court sentenced Hernadi to two years in prison for graft. He was charged in absentia with bribing Sanader a decade earlier to give MOL management rights in Croatian peer INA.
Sanader was handed a six-year prison sentence.
In its Monday ruling, the supreme court dismissed the appeals filed by Hernadi and Sanader’s defence teams as well as the appeal by the prosecution for harsher sentences, the daily Jutarnji List said.
In its justification, the court said
Sanader had agreed with Hernádi that MOL would be given management rights in INA for a bribe of 10 million euros.
MOL and Hernádi have steadfastly denied the charges, insisting that the company had never bribed any politician.
Hernadi was earlier acquitted of the charge by the Hungarian judiciary.
Read alsoCorruption in Hungary keeps increasing
UPDATE
In a statement issued on Monday, MOL voiced disappointment with the court’s decision. The company noted that Hungarian authorities as well as an international arbitration court earlier established that neither MOL nor its executives had committed any crime.
Because of “serious injustices” experienced in the course of Croatian procedures, Hernádi will appeal to Croatia’s Constitutional Court, MOL said.
Two of Europe’s most dangerous criminals caught in Hungary
Two Croatian nationals wanted in connection with a series of retribution shootings committed across Europe have been arrested by Hungarian authorities in Gyor, in north-western Hungary, the operational police force said on Wednesday.
The 45 and 25-year-old men are suspected by the Slovenian authorities of the attempted murder of a Slovenian citizen in the city of Nova Gorica in 2020. Police have also linked the two suspects to multiple retribution shootings in Croatia and Italy.
Both men were among Europe’s most wanted fugitives.
Slovenian investigators tracked the suspects to Hungary and asked the operational police force of the National Investigation Bureau (NNI) to assist with their capture. The NNI and its Slovenian partner units quickly tracked down the fugitives and arrested them on October 19 in Győr with the help of Hungary’s counter-terrorism force TEK. The court will decide on their extradition to Slovenia later, the operational poIice force said.
Read alsoUnbelievable! Hungarian police caught slave keepers – PHOTOS
Agrarian summit held in Budapest – V4+4 ministers on the challenges of the region
István Nagy, Hungary’s minister of agriculture, held talks with agrarian leaders of seven central European countries on challenges to the region on the Budapest fairground Hungexpo on Friday.
Addressing top officials of Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, Nagy called for closer cooperation in agricultural research and joint actions so that the member states could implement the EU’s common agricultural policy under national control, in line with their national characteristics.
180 degree turn: the government backs global minimum corporate tax!
Photo: MTI/Czeglédi Zsolt
Brussels’ will often runs counter to local agrarian interests, he said, adding that the EU partners should understand that rural regions “are not the periphery but the very heart of the European way of life,” he said.
The minister said that food waste and loss were declining in Hungary but still amounted to 88 million tonnes a year in the European Union. The best way to reduce it, he said, would lie in the digitalisation of the food chain.
Read alsoHungary on track to become an offshore paradise?
Hungarian FM Szijjártó discusses infrastructure development with Croatian ministers
Infrastructure development and dynamic cooperation in the Hungarian-Croatian border region will help restart the economy, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Tuesday, after meeting Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman and Natasa Tramisak, the minister for regional development and EU funding.
The foreign ministry said that at the meeting in Nagykanizsa, in southwest Hungary, Szijjártó said Hungary’s M6 highway will reach the Croatian border by 2024, and meet a Croatian highway, which will have also been completed by that time, at Ivandarda.
Hungary and Croatia have jointly won European Union funding for the construction of a bridge on the river Mura between Murakeresztúr in Hungary and Kotoriba in Croatia, and will open two new border crossings between the localities of Zakany and Gotalovo, as well as Sarok and Knezevo (Főherceglak), he said.
Meanwhile, the two countries are working to integrate their gas transport systems to improve regional competitiveness, he said.
Hungary and Croatia are on similar footing regarding migration too, Szijjártó said.
“Our stance is clear: we do not wish to see illegal migrants in this part of Europe, and will protect our borders and preserve our right to decide who to allow into the country,” he said.
Read alsoHungarian man kills a protected swan in Croatia, will he pay for it?
Gigantic new logistics centre to be built in SW Hungary
The construction of METRANS’s container terminal in Zalaegerszeg, in south-western Hungary, will attract investments and create 120 jobs, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Thursday at the groundbreaking ceremony.
The terminal is scheduled to start operating in 2023, Szijjártó said. The 16 billion forint (EUR 45.8m) investment backed by a 4 billion forint government grant, he said. A good logistics environment is essential for boosting investments, and the Zalaegerszeg base will be the only such facility in Hungary outside Budapest, Szijjártó said. It is also in line with the government’s strategy facilitating exports, he added.
He also noted Hungary’s purchase of a section of the Triest port on the Adriatic Sea
and related developments planned to further improve access to sea ports.
The METRANS group of companies covers activities such as freight transport, intermodal services, logistics and real estate, and operates more than 550 regular train services each week. The company’s Budapest-China rail freight service was launched in October 2019. Containers can now reach Chinese destinations from all parts of Hungary within 12-16 days.
Danish minister: criticizing PM Orbán for the border fence was a mistake
Justice Minister Judit Varga has called Hungary a “model state” in terms of managing issues around migration.
Her entry on Facebook appeared on Wednesday after Mattias Tesfaye, Denmark’s minister for immigration and integration, termed it as a mistake that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had been criticised for having erected a fence along Hungary’s southern border in 2015.
Varga cited Tesfaye as saying that Denmark advocated strong border defence and that
Europe should not make a choice between granting humanitarian assistance and building walls to protect the continent but it should do both.
“This statement and resilience over the past six years prove that Hungary is a model state as what is desire and hope elsewhere is reality here. Hungary is defending Europe’s borders and providing help where it is mostly needed simultaneously,” she said.
Meanwhile, PM Orbán met Andrej Plenkovic, his Croatian counterpart, to discuss the European political situation, the European Union’s future and Hungarian-Croatian cooperation yesterday. Meeting on the sidelines of the 16th Bled Strategic Forum, Orban and Plenkovic discussed current issues of regional cooperation and the
importance of border control,
Bertalan Havasi, the prime minister’s press chief, said. Central Europe will have to represent its interests in talks on the future of Europe vigorously, Orbán said.
Plenkovic thanked Hungary for the aid provided to earthquake-hit central Croatia earlier this year, he said.
Read alsoForeign minister urges construction of new border crossings with Croatia
Foreign minister urges construction of new border crossings with Croatia
Hungary and Croatia rely strongly on each other and cherish their mutually beneficial cooperation, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday, after meeting his Croatian counterpart, Gordan Grlic-Radman, in Budapest.
“Both countries are firmly rooted in the original European values, which we could also call Christian values. This was probably the reason why Croatia did not join the smear campaign against Hungary after it passed its child protection law,” Szijjártó said, referring to claims that the Hungarian law was discriminating against the LGBTQ community.
“The European affairs ministers of several countries have initiated a joint document calling for Hungary to allow NGOs into Hungarian schools and kindergartens to engage in sexual propaganda there.
Croatia did not join that initiative, for which we are grateful,” Szijjártó said.
Regarding energy cooperation, Szijjártó said Hungary has a vested interest in the liquid natural gas terminal planned on the Isle of Krk. The terminal would allow Hungary to diversify its supply sources, which is a primary goal in energy security, he said. This was the first gas purchase agreement Hungary could conclude with other partners than the Russian Federation, he said. The new route is planned to supply 1.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Hungary annually in the next four years, and one billion cubic meters in the following three years each, he said.
Linking the two countries’ gas markets would keep prices down and help supply security, Szijjártó said. The next step could be a trilateral cooperation between Croatia, Hungary and Ukraine, to recover some of the transit capacity Hungary is losing because Russia’s Gazprom is transitioning to a southern route from its origingal supply line through Ukraine, he said.
Szijjártó also urged the construction of new border crossings, noting that currently, Hungary and Croatia had one crossing every 50 kms on average.
Hungary is bringing its M6 motorway to the border by 2024, has started to build a bridge across the Mura at Murakeresztur, and is planning two further crossings, he said.
Read alsoHungarian man kills a protected swan in Croatia, will he pay for it?
„We hysterically cried out for help” – further details, photos of the accident on M7
The tragic accident claimed the life of eight people and left 48 injured.
Several road accidents have happened recently in Hungary. Some of them were minor crashes where the drivers left their car without a scratch and only caused some disturbance in traffic. Others, on the other hand, resulted in chaos and the loss of several lives.
That is what happened on Sunday at dawn, a little before 5 am on motorway M7. A bus with 56 passengers on board, including the two drivers, rolled over. As of Monday morning, there has been no official statement neither from the Police nor from the National Disaster Management Unit concerning the cause.
The most straightforward explanation in case of an accident like this usually points at the driver. Whether his ability to drive safely was compromised or he was too tired to concentrate properly.
The son of one of the drivers, László M., told borsonline.hu that he finds it outrageous that people would immediately jump to conclusions and say that the driver must have fallen asleep. He told the magazine that
the two men swapped places 15-30 minutes before the accident, so falling asleep could not have been the cause of the tragic accident.
László M. is one of those eight victims who lost their life.
The other driver, János K., was resting on the seat next to the door. When the bus crashed, he flew out of the windshield. He had a stroke of luck and will recover in the hospital, although he finds it miraculous how he survived with only some minor injuries.
But his 70-year-old mother did not survive. The trip was a birthday surprise he gave his mother, who had never been to Croatia before.
After János K. managed to get up, he immediately went to help the passengers. According to borsonline, he was the one who found his mother.
Even though the cause of the accident is still unknown, telex.hu writes that
signs point to a tire blowout.
Blikk.hu talked to several passengers, and their memories were very similar.
“I woke up to the sound of a clash and the bus crashing into the guard rail, riding all along it, and rolling over”, said a woman.
“Shouting and screaming broke the silence. The panic intensified because it was still pitch dark, and no one knew what had happened. The passengers were screaming out for help. It was complete chaos.
My face was injured, I lost a tooth, I hit my back, and it is still covered in blood.” The woman said the same thing as the deceased driver’s son: the drivers swapped places in Balatonlelle about half an hour earlier. She is sure that tiredness could not have caused the tragic accident.
Two children were travelling on the bus, who are luckily not among the victims. Although, two teenagers suffered minor injuries and were tended to by the paramedics.
Read alsoDeadliest railway accidents of the EU occur in Hungary
Hungarian man kills a protected swan in Croatia, will he pay for it?
A Hungarian man killed a swan in Croatia by jumping off a yacht to entertain fellow passengers. Swans are protected species in Croatia.
Croatian news site ŠibenikIN reported on the case. About twenty people witnessed the death of the swan. The tragic event took place in Skradin, at 5 pm on Sunday. The man jumped on the swan from 6-7 meters high, and the animal was fatally injured. One of the witnesses called the police.
According to a witness, the man jumped right on the swan as if it was a joke. Children on the yacht were laughing, and a friend took footage of the event with a phone. The swan was fighting for its life for a few minutes after the incident, but unable to rise its head, the animal eventually died.
Some people on the yacht said that the swan is still alive, and it left. Other people, however, say that transporting a corpse with a boat can be seen on footage currently possessed by the police. Šime Pavić, a police spokesperson, told the Croatian news site that the prosecution is over.
A report was received at the Šibenik-Knin Police Station on August 8 at around 6 pm, and when officers went out to the field, they found out that a Hungarian citizen had jumped off an anchored boat and jumped on a swan. In the evening, a dead swan was found, and further investigations took place.
It was revealed that there was no intentional jump on the animal. No elements of a crime were identified, and the case is now officially deemed an accident.
Damages caused to protected animals by illegal activities result in fines. For damaging a swan (Cygnus olor), the perpetrator is fined a sum of 3600 kunas, while damaging a yellow-billed swan (Cygnus cygnus) results in a 9600 kuna penalty.
Although the incident shed a terrible light on the Hungarian tourist in the Croatian media, Hungary is a country where strict law and legislation is in place against cruelty to animals. It is forbidden to cause unjustified or avoidable pain, suffering or injury to an animal or damaging the animal in any way. The general public seriously judges cruelty against animals in Hungary, and the punishments match the crime.
In 2018 a child visited a Zoo and held a meerkat in his hands but threw the animal away when it bit him. The meerkat that was pregnant at the dime died in the incident. The event caused public uproar in Hungary, and the public severely criticised the child. The responsibility of the Zoo was also a hot topic at the time.
Read alsoTerrible story in Hungary: Meerkat killed by schoolkid at zoo, outrage ensues!
In 2019, Index wrote an article about a woman who killed a turtle at the Zoo with a stone. It can be seen in the footage that the woman took out the turtle from the runway and killed the animal after she noticed droppings on her hand. The turtle’s shield broke, and its organs were painfully damaged. The animal could not be saved – wrote Index. Breaking a turtle’s shield is very likely to lead to the animal’s death, as the shield has the same function as the spine and ribs for humans. Hermann’s tortoise, the species killed by the woman, is protected by EU Habitats Directive and four other international agreements, according to the European Environment Agency’s website. “ By destroying or damaging individuals of such animal species, a crime of natural damage may be committed, which is punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment.” – wrote vasarnap.hu.
In 2020 Telex reported that a man was spending some time at a lake, and his son was feeding ducks when swans came for some food as well. The man, who consumed alcohol that day and got frustrated over the idea of not being able to bathe in the lake because of the birds, went to the animals and broke a swan’s neck. The prosecutor’s office asked the court to sentence the man to imprisonment for torturing the animal.
Read alsoRussia produces first batch of COVID-19 vaccine for animals
Is Lake Balaton more expensive than Croatia?
Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Croatia are all popular travel destinations in the region. Recent Hungarian research examined what the most popular places are in each country and at what price you can find accommodation.
On the website of szallas.hu, travellers can book accommodation for themselves. The site has recently done a survey to find out what the most attractive accommodations are in each country. The most popular holiday destinations in Hungary are:
- Siófok
- Hajdúszoboszló
- Balatonfüred
- Eger
- Budapest
- Hévíz
- Gyula
- Szeged
- Zalakaros
- Pécs
Thus, in addition to the Hungarian capital, the Lake Balaton area and the settlements with thermal water are popular, such as Zalakaros, Hajdúszoboszló, and Hévíz. In addition to the largest city in the Lake Balaton region, Siófok, Hévíz, Keszthely, Balatonlelle, and Balatonfüred are the most popular, writes index.hu. Szallas.hu examined accommodations not only in Hungary.
In Croatia, accommodations in coastal settlements are booked the most frequently. The municipalities of Crikvenica, Vir, Zadar, Pula, and Medulin are at the top of the list. Spa towns are the most popular in the Czech Republic. These include Karlovy Vary, Frantiskovy Lázne, and Mariánské Lázne. The survey not only looked for the most popular settlements in the countries, but it also compared prices.
Lake Balaton is on average 1.5 per cent more expensive than Croatia.
The average price of an apartment per person per night is much more expensive at the “Hungarians sea”. However, 3- and 4-star hotels in Hungary are cheaper. 3-star hotels are on average 16 per cent more expensive, while 4-star hotels are 24 per cent more expensive in Croatia. The average price of an apartment at Lake Balaton is HUF 7,823 (€21.83) per person per night. The average price of a 3-star hotel on Lake Balaton is HUF 17,195 (€47.99), while that of a 4-star hotel is HUF 19,628 (€54.78).
Mamaia, on the Black Sea coast in Romania, is the most popular travel destination. In addition, Brasov and Eforie Nord were also popular. In Poland, Gdansk, Krakow, and Warsaw received the most bookings. The portal found that Croatian holidays last an average of 5-6 nights, while those who want to holiday come to Lake Balaton for 3-4 nights. According to 24.hu, it is unnecessary to compare the Balaton and Croatian regions, as the two have different functions.
Government: reuniting the Hungarian nation successful
The government has succeeded in reuniting the Hungarian nation over the past decade, and today being Hungarian is an advantage everywhere in the Carpathian Basin, the state secretary in charge of policies for Hungarian communities abroad said at a roundtable discussion in Sátoraljaújhely, in north-eastern Hungary, on Friday.
The Hungarian communities of the Carpathian Basin will only be strong if Hungary is strong economically, morally and politically, Árpád János Potápi told the event at the Summer Open University in the Carpathian Basin. He said the period since 2010 had been Hungary’s most successful decade of the past century.
Hungarians must be represented at every existing political forum in order to be in a position to strengthen their institutions in areas like education, culture and sports, Potapi said. He said
Hungarians must be represented at every existing political forum in order to be in a position to strengthen their institutions in areas like education, culture and sports, Potapi said. He said
every single locality in the Carpathian Basin populated by Hungarians had received some form of support in recent years.
László Brenzovics, head of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association (KMKSZ), said Ukraine had become the poorest country in Europe and had taken away the rights of its national minorities. He said the ethnic Hungarian community in Ukraine today was less able to rely on international law for protection, but thanked the Hungarian government for its support of the community.
István Pásztor, head of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (VMSZ), said
István Pásztor, head of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (VMSZ), said
the pandemic had disproved the claim that it was possible to live without politics.
Vojvodina Hungarians have come to recognise that “the Hungarian political option” could be of significant help to them in their everyday lives, he said, noting that VMSZ had achieved its best result in the Serbian elections of the past 30 years.
Krisztián Forró, head of the Party of the Hungarian Community (MKP) in Slovakia, said all of his party’s calls for improving the situation of minorities in Slovakia in the recent period had been in vain. Democratic Union of Hungarians of Croatia (HMDK) leader Róbert Jankovics said his party had held on to its position in last year’s parliamentary elections and had been successful in
Krisztián Forró, head of the Party of the Hungarian Community (MKP) in Slovakia, said all of his party’s calls for improving the situation of minorities in Slovakia in the recent period had been in vain. Democratic Union of Hungarians of Croatia (HMDK) leader Róbert Jankovics said his party had held on to its position in last year’s parliamentary elections and had been successful in
deepening its ties with Croatia’s centre-right government.
Leader of Slovenia’s Hungarian Self-Governing Ethnic Community of Pomurje (MMONK) Ferenc Horvath said that for the first time in 30 years, his party had reached a “practical” agreement with the Slovenian government, which he said would be of significant help to the local Hungarian community.
István Csomortányi, head of the Transylvanian Hungarian People’s Party (EMNP), expressed his party’s support for the Hungarian government’s referendum on child protection, saying that they would do everything in their power to increase turnout among Transylvanian dual citizens. Barna Tánczos, Romania’s minister for environmental protection, said that the past few years had been successful for Romania’s ethnic Hungarian community, and expressed hope that the current cabinet would stay in power for the longer term.
István Csomortányi, head of the Transylvanian Hungarian People’s Party (EMNP), expressed his party’s support for the Hungarian government’s referendum on child protection, saying that they would do everything in their power to increase turnout among Transylvanian dual citizens. Barna Tánczos, Romania’s minister for environmental protection, said that the past few years had been successful for Romania’s ethnic Hungarian community, and expressed hope that the current cabinet would stay in power for the longer term.
Hungary to build a new bridge leading to Croatia
László Palkovics, Hungary’s minister of innovation and technology, on Friday addressed an event launching a series of infrastructure projects to construct a bridge between Kotoriba in Croatia and Murakeresztúr in Hungary over the river Mur, as well as the roads leading to it.
Palkovics noted that the construction of the final stretch of Hungary’s M6 highway started in February. When that project is finished in early 2024, Hungary will have two highway connections to Croatia and will have completed the Hungarian stretch of a north-south corridor between the Baltic and Adriatic Seas, he said.
While motorways play a role in international transit and long-term economic goals,
small-scale transport development between the border regions will boost the connections there,
he said.
Hungarian tourists to flood Croatia?
Bosch Automotive Steering is expanding its plant in Maklár,
in northern Hungary, with three investments totaling 52.5 billion forints (EUR 146m) that will create 180 jobs, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Friday. The government is supporting the investment with 12.250 billion forints, Péter Szijjártó told a press briefing.
The investments cover all Bosch’s activities, from research and development to production, including a new generation of electric steering necessary for autonomous cars, the minister noted. It also gives a boost to the Hungarian automotive industry’s transition to a new era, Szijjártó added.