Protests in Hungary - Mark Anniversary of 2006 Riots
Protests occurred in Hungary last week, marking the one-year anniversary of riots after a recording of a speech in which Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany admitted to lying was made public. Gyurcsany admitted to lying in a private, profanity-laden speech at a Socialist Party function. The lies, hiding the bad state of Hungary's economy, were made to help win the April 2006 general election. After winning the election, Gyurcsany and the Socialist Party passed economic reforms that will cost citizens at least one additional month's salary.
Last week's generally peaceful protests were centered in Budapest with smaller than expected crowds. The protesters wanted the Hungarian television station to read their demands that Gyurcsany resign, but that never happened. They also planned to blockade parliament and other ministry buildings, but failed due to the lack of numbers.
The problem in Hungary is they are running a high deficit and need economic reforms. The plan instituted by Gyurcsany and the Socialist Party was the only one offered. While what they did to win the election was wrong, I'm not convinced that any other political party or anyone else as prime minister could have come up with a better plan. I think this is a case of previous misuse of funds (even prior to Gyurcsany taking office), and that now, unfortunately, the people have to pay for it.
Hopefully things will turn around over the next several years. I would just about guarantee that Gyurcsany and the Socialists will not win the next election in 2010. Whoever wants to win power better come up with a good plan to help Hungary's struggling economy.
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