http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Fri, 24 May 2013 07:20:53 +0200 Fri, 24 May 2013 07:20:53 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/berlin-calls-nazi-comparison-by-hungarian-leader-a-derailment-a-900830.html#ref=rss Hungary's controversial prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has angered Berlin by comparing its policies to those of the Nazis. On Monday, Foreign Minister Westerwelle rejected the comparison, saying it was "regrettable." Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/berlin-calls-nazi-comparison-by-hungarian-leader-a-derailment-a-900830.html Hungary's controversial prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has angered Berlin by comparing its policies to those of the Nazis. On Monday, Foreign Minister Westerwelle rejected the comparison, saying it was "regrettable."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/prime-minister-viktor-orban-downplays-rising-anti-semitism-in-hungary-a-898319.html#ref=rss Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sought this weekend to convince some 500 Jewish leaders gathered in Budapest that his government is committed to combating a frightening increase in anti-Semitism. His speech, however, was notable more for what it left out than what it said. Mon, 06 May 2013 15:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/prime-minister-viktor-orban-downplays-rising-anti-semitism-in-hungary-a-898319.html Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sought this weekend to convince some 500 Jewish leaders gathered in Budapest that his government is committed to combating a frightening increase in anti-Semitism. His speech, however, was notable more for what it left out than what it said. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/jewish-world-congress-in-budapest-protests-hungarian-anti-semitism-a-897718.html#ref=rss In symbolic protest of growing anti-Semitism in Hungary, the World Jewish Congress will meet in Budapest this weekend. This has angered Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who plans to address the assembly about the criticism. But no amount of talk can erase the fact that right-wing extremism is on the rise there. Thu, 02 May 2013 17:39:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/jewish-world-congress-in-budapest-protests-hungarian-anti-semitism-a-897718.html In symbolic protest of growing anti-Semitism in Hungary, the World Jewish Congress will meet in Budapest this weekend. This has angered Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who plans to address the assembly about the criticism. But no amount of talk can erase the fact that right-wing extremism is on the rise there.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/istvan-hegedues-europe-must-react-to-orban-power-grab-in-hungary-a-889465.html#ref=rss After the Iron Curtain came down, István Hegedüs, 55, was a parliamentarian for Hungary's conservative Fidesz party, which was in the opposition at the time. But now he is fiercely critical of the party's leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and his move to consolidate power. Europe must react, he tells SPIEGEL. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:29:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/istvan-hegedues-europe-must-react-to-orban-power-grab-in-hungary-a-889465.html After the Iron Curtain came down, István Hegedüs, 55, was a parliamentarian for Hungary's conservative Fidesz party, which was in the opposition at the time. But now he is fiercely critical of the party's leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and his move to consolidate power. Europe must react, he tells SPIEGEL.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/brussels-focuses-on-constitutional-changes-in-hungary-and-cypriot-debt-a-889067.html#ref=rss Stalled economic growth and high unemployment were supposed to be the focus of this week's European Union summit in Brussels. But concerns about democracy in Hungary and debt in Cyprus have taken center stage. Both issues have generated considerable strife. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:15:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/brussels-focuses-on-constitutional-changes-in-hungary-and-cypriot-debt-a-889067.html Stalled economic growth and high unemployment were supposed to be the focus of this week's European Union summit in Brussels. But concerns about democracy in Hungary and debt in Cyprus have taken center stage. Both issues have generated considerable strife.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-leaders-call-for-probe-of-constitutional-amendment-in-hungary-a-888391.html#ref=rss European leaders are outraged by the Hungarian right's most recent move to consolidate power, with some calling for a formal probe. German editorialists, too, say it's time for the EU to take a stand against increasingly defiant Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:44:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-leaders-call-for-probe-of-constitutional-amendment-in-hungary-a-888391.html European leaders are outraged by the Hungarian right's most recent move to consolidate power, with some calling for a formal probe. German editorialists, too, say it's time for the EU to take a stand against increasingly defiant Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungary-constitutional-reforms-signal-drift-away-from-democracy-a-888064.html#ref=rss As expected, the Hungarian parliament on Monday evening passed a package of constitutional amendments that legal experts say are an affront to democracy. Berlin, Brussels and Washington all voiced their concern in the run up to the vote. Leaders in Budapest, however, were unfazed. Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungary-constitutional-reforms-signal-drift-away-from-democracy-a-888064.html As expected, the Hungarian parliament on Monday evening passed a package of constitutional amendments that legal experts say are an affront to democracy. Berlin, Brussels and Washington all voiced their concern in the run up to the vote. Leaders in Budapest, however, were unfazed.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ruling-hungarian-fidesz-party-adopts-policies-of-far-right-jobbik-party-a-880590.html#ref=rss Internationally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán likes to present himself as a champion of democracy. At home, though, he is implementing one policy after the other that is inspired by the right-wing extremist Jobbik party. Too often, Brussels downplays the problem. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:56:50 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ruling-hungarian-fidesz-party-adopts-policies-of-far-right-jobbik-party-a-880590.html Internationally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán likes to present himself as a champion of democracy. At home, though, he is implementing one policy after the other that is inspired by the right-wing extremist Jobbik party. Too often, Brussels downplays the problem. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungarian-journalist-says-roma-should-not-be-allowed-to-exist-a-876887.html#ref=rss Zsolt Bayer, a prominent conservative commentator, has sparked outrage in Hungary and abroad for comparing Roma to animals and saying they "shouldn't be allowed to exist." Criticism of the remarks is growing, but Prime Minister Orbán will likely keep silent. Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungarian-journalist-says-roma-should-not-be-allowed-to-exist-a-876887.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/far-right-rhetoric-in-hungary-reaches-new-dimension-a-869826.html#ref=rss People of Jewish heritage are a "security risk" and should be registered on a nationwide list, according to right-wing extremist Hungarian politician Márton Gyöngyösi. His comments, made in the country's parliament, have sparked widespread outrage. But the government was slow to distance itself. Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:28:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/far-right-rhetoric-in-hungary-reaches-new-dimension-a-869826.html People of Jewish heritage are a "security risk" and should be registered on a nationwide list, according to right-wing extremist Hungarian politician Márton Gyöngyösi. His comments, made in the country's parliament, have sparked widespread outrage. But the government was slow to distance itself.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungarian-parliament-amends-election-law-a-864349.html#ref=rss Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has used his party's two-thirds majority in parliament to pass a constitutional change that will force voters to register before elections. Opposition parties fear the move will boost his power and pave the way for election fraud, but they see no hope of appealing against it. Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:49:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungarian-parliament-amends-election-law-a-864349.html Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has used his party's two-thirds majority in parliament to pass a constitutional change that will force voters to register before elections. Opposition parties fear the move will boost his power and pave the way for election fraud, but they see no hope of appealing against it. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/far-right-protest-of-roma-in-hungary-highlights-growing-tensions-a-861985.html#ref=rss Carrying torches and chanting accusatory slogans, more than 1,000 far-right extremists protested the Roma community in Hungarian city of Miskolc on Wednesday night. Tensions were high following a Roma protest against discrimination earlier in the day, and police presence was strong. Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:02:39 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/far-right-protest-of-roma-in-hungary-highlights-growing-tensions-a-861985.html Carrying torches and chanting accusatory slogans, more than 1,000 far-right extremists protested the Roma community in Hungarian city of Miskolc on Wednesday night. Tensions were high following a Roma protest against discrimination earlier in the day, and police presence was strong. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/csatary-arrest-an-embarrassment-for-hungarian-justice-system-a-845417.html#ref=rss Officials in Budapest sat on information that suspected war criminal Lásló Csatáry was living there for more than a year without acting. It was only after a British tabloid reported the incident that action was finally taken. The case underscores Hungary's troubled dealings with its own history. Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:41:45 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/csatary-arrest-an-embarrassment-for-hungarian-justice-system-a-845417.html Officials in Budapest sat on information that suspected war criminal Lásló Csatáry was living there for more than a year without acting. It was only after a British tabloid reported the incident that action was finally taken. The case underscores Hungary's troubled dealings with its own history. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/right-wing-extremists-cultivate-horthy-cult-in-hungary-a-836526.html#ref=rss Hungary's right-wing extremists are becoming increasingly self-confident. They are now openly paying tribute to Miklós Horthy, Hungary's anti-Semitic regent during the interwar period, erecting a statue and renaming a town square in his honor. Even some members of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party support the new trend. Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:11:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/right-wing-extremists-cultivate-horthy-cult-in-hungary-a-836526.html Hungary's right-wing extremists are becoming increasingly self-confident. They are now openly paying tribute to Miklós Horthy, Hungary's anti-Semitic regent during the interwar period, erecting a statue and renaming a town square in his honor. Even some members of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party support the new trend.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungary-in-crisis-as-viktor-orban-enters-second-half-of-his-term-a-832071.html#ref=rss A political landslide brought Viktor Orbán into power in Hungary, where he quickly cemented his position with a two-thirds majority. But halfway through his term, the state of his administration is grim. The nation, deeply divided and on the brink of financial ruin, is being sidelined on the international stage. Tue, 08 May 2012 16:15:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungary-in-crisis-as-viktor-orban-enters-second-half-of-his-term-a-832071.html A political landslide brought Viktor Orbán into power in Hungary, where he quickly cemented his position with a two-thirds majority. But halfway through his term, the state of his administration is grim. The nation, deeply divided and on the brink of financial ruin, is being sidelined on the international stage.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fair-trial-at-risk-report-slams-hungary-s-new-constitution-a-820901.html#ref=rss The new constitution introduced by right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been widely criticized as a means for the controversial leader to consolidate his power. A confidential Council of Europe report obtained by SPIEGEL declares that parts of the reform violate basic democratic rights. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:39:46 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fair-trial-at-risk-report-slams-hungary-s-new-constitution-a-820901.html The new constitution introduced by right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been widely criticized as a means for the controversial leader to consolidate his power. A confidential Council of Europe report obtained by SPIEGEL declares that parts of the reform violate basic democratic rights.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/young-wired-and-angry-a-revised-portrait-of-hungary-s-right-wing-extremists-a-813243.html#ref=rss Though largely ignored by the national media, Hungary's right-wing extremist Jobbik party operates within a surprisingly well-developed and self-sustained online universe. What's more, recent studies have found that the party's supporters aren't the "losers" that many experts thought they were. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:54:24 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/young-wired-and-angry-a-revised-portrait-of-hungary-s-right-wing-extremists-a-813243.html Though largely ignored by the national media, Hungary's right-wing extremist Jobbik party operates within a surprisingly well-developed and self-sustained online universe. What's more, recent studies have found that the party's supporters aren't the "losers" that many experts thought they were.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/booming-silence-europe-s-conservatives-fail-to-criticize-hungary-a-810863.html#ref=rss Many European politicians feel that democracy is in acute danger in Hungary, where Viktor Orbán's government has pushed through a series of controversial laws. But the European People's Party, to which Orbán's Fidesz party belongs, doesn't want to take action against its Hungarian colleagues. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:31:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/booming-silence-europe-s-conservatives-fail-to-criticize-hungary-a-810863.html Many European politicians feel that democracy is in acute danger in Hungary, where Viktor Orbán's government has pushed through a series of controversial laws. But the European People's Party, to which Orbán's Fidesz party belongs, doesn't want to take action against its Hungarian colleagues. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-luxembourg-s-foreign-minister-hungary-should-have-voting-rights-withdrawn-a-810743.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn fiercely criticizes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Parts of Hungary's new constitution resemble a dictatorship, he says, suggesting the country should be stripped of its EU voting rights for undermining core democratic freedoms. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:55:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-luxembourg-s-foreign-minister-hungary-should-have-voting-rights-withdrawn-a-810743.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn fiercely criticizes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Parts of Hungary's new constitution resemble a dictatorship, he says, suggesting the country should be stripped of its EU voting rights for undermining core democratic freedoms.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungary-in-the-crossfire-orban-lashes-out-at-critics-in-european-parliament-a-810062.html#ref=rss In his appearance before the European Parliament on Wednesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán started out with moderate words before quickly launching into a nationalist tirade. But his speech was really aimed at his audience back home, where he desperately needs to boost his popularity. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:08:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/hungary-in-the-crossfire-orban-lashes-out-at-critics-in-european-parliament-a-810062.html In his appearance before the European Parliament on Wednesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán started out with moderate words before quickly launching into a nationalist tirade. But his speech was really aimed at his audience back home, where he desperately needs to boost his popularity.]]>