"Hungary’s ejection from the European Union is now no longer unthinkable," Palmer, the ambassador to Hungary between 1986 and 1990, told Népszabadság, the leading opposition daily in Hungary.
The country "won’t be tolerated if it no longer counts as a democracy," Palmer said.
A controversial new constitution entered into force on 1 January. A number of 'basic laws' accompanying the Constitution were adopted on 30 December.
The basic laws are seen as undermining the independence of the Central Bank, the judiciary and the media. Critics also say that the new measures represent an assault on religious freedom by cutting down the number of recognised religious groups from 300 to 14.
Under its EU accession treaty, Hungary is obliged to adopt the euro as soon as it is ready. However, the new constitution makes the national currency, the forint, the country's only legal tender.
Critics also say a new election law would entrench Orbán's ruling Fidesz party for years to come. Hungary's western partners are reportedly worried that the measures would not be able to be changed easily, as they require a two-thirds majority of the parliament. Clinton criticises measuresHungarian media published a letter from US State Secretary Hillary Clinton to Orbán, in which she expressed regrets that despite Washington's advice, the Constitution and the basic laws had not been reconsidered.
Clinton says that like the European Commission, the US takes the view that the new judicial law "dismantles important checks and balances preserving judicial independence". The US is also "deeply concerned" that no modifications had been made in the law on religions. As for the media law, Clinton shares the concerns expressed by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the US-based non-governmental organisation Freedom House, and a recent mission of press experts that the law concentrates too much power in the hands of a "politically appointed" Media Council.
Clinton also said she regretted the recent non-renewal of the broadcast licence of KlubRadio, a popular talk station with an audience of 500,000. Authorities transferred the licence from KlubRadio to an unknown entity with only €4,000 in capital. This action, according to Clinton, raises concern about the authorities' commitment to ensure diverse media voices.
The media law, however, received clearance from the European Commission last February, during the Hungarian EU presidency. Apparently disappointed with the EU's unwillingness to criticise a member state, Hungarian intellectuals have been calling on the USA to speak out against what they call their country's "autocratic system".
COMMENTS
Why should any country's central bank be completly independent. After all, the US Fed is controlled by Goldman Sacks via the US Treasury Secretary(take a look at the CVs of the main players to see what I mean). There may be dislike with what is happening in Hungary, however, as long as the Hungarians have the power to vote out the politicos they vote in then I suggest the rest of the world keeps its trap shut - particularly in the case of the US - where voters have no choice at all (Demoprats vs Repubeicans - is there any difference - none I can see with both in hoc to the corporates and finance). I disagree with the religious bit though - why should any state recognise any religion?
And in a parting shot - in fairness to the Hungarians when was the last time they judicially murdered someone? I notice that it is almost a daily occurance in the US.
I read Clinton's boss just enacted a law allowing the US military to detain anybody anywhere indefinitely on suspicion of terrorism. Talk about checks and balances...
Not to mention the recent institutional murder of a convict who saw 7 out of 9 witness retract their testimony while on death row.
There may be reason for concern about these Hungarian changes to the judiciary, but this kind of letters just ridicules both Clinton and her country.
(I am neither Hungarian nor American, just an observer.)
I'd appreciate it if you would be excluded from the EU to Hungary! Hungary was completely ruined by the EU, the corrupt, the West who want to politikusainkkal together!
They also qualify you for Hungary, Viktor Orbán, not because they obey in everything! Do not want to be protected, not voted on it!
The EU does nothing, the Hungarian népért!
Slovakia to expel the Hungarians because Hungarians! You can not use their own language!
In Serbia, the Hungarian mindennaposka beatings! Because the Hungarians!
Suppress the Hungarians in Romania!
They do nothing against the EU! Then why are you worried about the non-democratic EU, we demokráciánkért?
Justice for Hungary!
Down with Trianon!
I'd appreciate it if you would be excluded from the EU to Hungary! Hungary was completely ruined by the EU, the corrupt, the West who want to politikusainkkal together!
They also qualify you for Hungary, Viktor Orbán, not because they obey in everything! Do not want to be protected, not voted on it!
The EU does nothing, the Hungarian népért!
Slovakia to expel the Hungarians because Hungarians! You can not use their own language!
In Serbia, the Hungarian mindennaposka beatings! Because the Hungarians!
Suppress the Hungarians in Romania!
They do nothing against the EU! Then why are you worried about the non-democratic EU, we democracy?
Justice for Hungary!
Down with Trianon!
Please do it. I can not wait. And yes, I am Hungarian.
Hungarians are beaten up in Serbia.
Citizenships are taken away from Hungarians in Roumania.
Hungarians can not use their mother tongue in Slovakia.
Thank you EU. Human rights??? hahahaha....
Regrettably the USA is no longer in the position to preach justice and democracy to the world.
See f.i. http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/
In respect of the independence of the central banks it is a perverse philosophy that democratic processes in this field are bad for democracy and that it better be left in the hands of privately owned banks like the Federal Reserve in the US, which is close to free from any kind of democratic audit.
When it comes to the media they are supposed to be the 4th estate of democracy, but the concentration of the media ownership and influence has made this thought an obsolete ideal of no relevance today.
Again looking to the functioning of the US media we clearly see their hand in an utterly biased democratic process leading to the choice of contenders for the US president elections. It odd candidate hopeful who wants to protect the constitution and avoid the political and economic costs of waging wars for a so-called ally will not be considered as relevant and realistic.
I do not have detailed information about the current democratic situation in Hungary but I need hard evidence that it is anywhere as bad as that in the US for me to engage myself in the fight for democracy on that front.
My understanding is that the Hungarian newspaper Népszabadság is heavily controlled by the Hungarian Socialist Party which was heavily defeated by the current government last elections. Euractiv articles about Hungary appear to be heavily influenced by this Socialist Party and what it influences - please try to have more balanced reporting in the future.
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