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Hungary PM likened to Chavez over controversial laws
20.01.2012
Orban, in Strasbourg to defend his government, pledged on Wednesday to row back on disputed laws which have triggered EU legal proceedings against Budapest and inspired MEPs to liken him to Cuba's Fidel Castro or Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Brushing aside the charges, Orban said he stood up for "Christian and family values" and claimed to have brought Hungary back from the brink in 18 months -- decreasing debt, overhauling taxes and health and protecting minorities.
The EU commission on Tuesday threatened to drag Budapest to court for reforms undermining the independence of its central bank, judiciary and data protection authority. It gave Orban a month to reverse the laws. The right-wing Hungarian leader is hoping to obtain a credit line from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund but talks were suspended in December amid concern over the controversial legislation. But he told a press conference after the debate that lasted most of the afternoon that he would not allow government policy to be dictated.
AFP
Facts
- August 6, 1940 - Estonia became a part of Soviet Union
- From June 1940 until August 1941, more than 7000 Estonian citizens were arrested
