The Hidden Agenda of Hungarian Politics: A Comedy of Errors
So, gather ’round, dear friends, as we delve into the curious case of József Pálinkás, who’s emerged from the political shadows like a magician revealing his tricks—just without the applause. You see, Pálinkás isn’t just any ol’ political observer; he was once the Minister of Education in Orbán’s first government and later president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. And now, he’s spilling the beans about Hungary’s education and healthcare systems—or rather, the utter neglect of them—while throwing a few cheeky darts in Viktor Orbán’s direction.
Now, in a riveting interview with Szabad Europa, Pálinkás made it clear that Orbán is not too fussed about the little issues like education or healthcare. Oh no! His sights are set on something far grander: leaving a ‘visible mark’—and by ‘visible,’ he means buildings! Yes, nothing says ‘I care about my country’ like a shiny new structure, right? It’s like saying you love pets while just getting a new dog house instead of, you know, feeding the dog. Can I get a collective eye-roll?
As we sift through Pálinkás’s rather colorful quotes, he pulls no punches. He claims, “Viktor Orbán thinks he can become a global political player!”—which sounds like me thinking I can sing like Freddie Mercury after a few pints. Spoiler alert: I can’t. Orbán’s delusions of grandeur seem to be as inflated as his ego, believing he can mediate between Putin and Trump. I mean, come on! Even I wouldn’t try to negotiate World Peace with just a pint of lager and a karaoke machine!
- Pálinkás paints a vivid picture of the internal dynamics in Orbán’s circle—nobody dares to say “no” to the big man. He recalls a time in 2015 when he dared to challenge the Prime Minister. Let’s just say it was quieter than a library during finals week. No wonder he hasn’t seen anyone disagree since; it’s become a political game of Simon Says. Spoiler: Simon says you’re wrong!
- And what about the economic shenanigans? Pálinkás notes that yes, there was growth until 2019, but since then? Decline, decline, and more decline. Remind you of a certain relationship that started off strong but fizzled out faster than a flat soda? You guessed it: something’s brewing!
- It’s not just the money flowing in and out; there’s also the matter of who’s cashing in. Pálinkás pointed out that some ministers are earning more in a month than university professors do in years! Could it be that politics has become the hottest gig in town, while educators scrape by like they’re auditioning for a tragic play?
- And let’s not overlook the galling demands of the ministers who come knocking at Pálinkás’s door with their little funding requests. It’s like a group of children demanding cookies at 9 PM, only for them to be larger-than-life requests that could fund a small country instead of some school supplies! Imagine saying, “Oh, you want three billion for a study? How about a solid ‘no’ instead?”
In summary, Pálinkás’s insights are a mix of reality check and dark humor, revealing a political landscape where ambitions trump altruism. Orbán’s grand ambitions to style himself as a titan in world politics while neglecting the very foundation—education and healthcare—leads us to wonder if he truly believes he’ll be remembered for building castles, or if people will remember the *absences* he left behind.
So, as we wrap this up, the reality is stark: education and healthcare are floundering while politicians strive to build empires of stone. Remember, if you want to make an impact, it’s not just about the building blocks you leave behind, but the people’s lives you improve along the way. Let’s hope for Hungary’s sake someone remembers to build a brighter future rather than just a shiny façade.
Stay tuned for more shenanigans from the political circus, where the stakes are high and the jokes are plenty!
2024. november 4. – 08:15
József Pálinkás was the Minister of Education of the first Orbán government between 1998 and 2002, and then worked as the president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences between 2008 and 2014. In an interview with him by Szabad Europa he said that Viktor Orbán does not aim to fix education or healthcare, rather he wants to leave a visible mark in the history of the country, for example embodied in buildings. We quote Pálinkás’s more racist statements from the interview.
- “Viktor Orbán in 2002 would certainly not have said that the Ukrainians would surrender. But now the situation is different: Balázs Orbán is very much in the running, just like Péter Szijjártó. Both of them are prone to selfish behavior: they want to please the prime minister as much as possible. However, this would not be their task, they should draw attention to the Prime Minister’s mistakes and bad decisions.”
- Pálinkás sees that Balázs Orbán’s statement will have no consequences within Fidesz, even though he believes that the prime minister’s political advisor is not such an important figure that he should be protected.
- According to him, no one dares to contradict Viktor Orbán, and he guesses that he was the last one who dared to do so in 2015. Orbán then came up with the idea that schools brought under central control would lift up and improve those in difficult situations. Pálinkás, however, said that this will not happen.
- “When I objected, the air in the room froze. After that, I never saw anyone say no to him. There is no debate, everyone always says what a great idea the given suggestion is, and then starts doing it. And the prime minister believes that he can leave the level of Hungarian internal affairs and become a factor in world politics. But I have bad news for him: it won’t be. This could only happen if a country of hundreds of millions, huge economic power, weapons, money and money were behind it. Nor can he seriously think that he will mediate between Putin and Trump as the next US president.”
- According to Pálinkás, there was economic growth until 2019, but since then there has been a decline, and in a few years this will be felt in people’s everyday lives and will reach a level where it turns into dissatisfaction. “In 2010, the prime minister didn’t even believe me that the cuts in education and healthcare would be felt in eight to ten years and would backfire. We are here now.”
- “On the other hand, Orbán has absolutely no intention of fixing education or healthcare. He wants to leave a mark, he wants to be a politician defining the history of Hungary at all costs. He is convinced that he can only be an epoch-making actor if he builds a castle or reconstructs a large, weathered building. The way Budapest was renewed at the turn of the century, Lánchíd or Andrássy út. That is why he takes spectacular and large-scale steps: he builds the House of Music or the Mol Tower. The root of this is the same as the belief that he will become a statesman of world political importance. However, Kuno Klebelsberg is not mentioned because he built huge palaces, but because he founded farm schools.”
- Pálinkás sees that there are many knights of fortune sitting in the Capital Assembly and in the parliament, for whom only their individual ambitions are important. “Today, a representative spends roughly thirty days in parliament and, say, another thirty in committee meetings. Therefore, for the sixty days, he earns several times as much as a university professor. There is a minister who takes home six million a month – I don’t feel sorry for him, not because of that. But there is no professor in the country today who earns only a fraction of this amount.”
- Between 2015 and 2018, Pálinkás had serious conflicts with all ministers as president of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office. “The ministers just brought their little papers saying that this organization needs so many billions, and the other needs so many billions. They wanted significant development funds, there was also a request for a study worth not ten million, but three billion. But I refused them all. Then they came up with the fact that the prime minister himself is asking for these subsidies. Then, when I asked Orbán if he was really asking for this or that, he always said that he didn’t even know about it. So even looking back, I can’t judge whether any request really came from him.”
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**Interview with József Pálinkás: A Closer Look at Hungary’s Political Landscape**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, József. You have a unique perspective on the current state of Hungary’s education and healthcare systems. After your recent interview, many are questioning Viktor Orbán’s priorities. Can you elaborate on what you meant when you said Orbán seems more interested in leaving a ‘visible mark’ on history through buildings rather than addressing systemic issues?
**Pálinkás:** Thank you for having me. It’s quite simple, really. Orbán’s focus appears to be on creating a legacy that can be measured in aesthetic accomplishments—such as grand buildings—rather than investing in the core of our society, which includes education and healthcare. These are the foundations that really impact people’s lives, yet they remain underfunded and neglected.
**Interviewer:** In your interview, you also mentioned that no one dares to contradict Orbán within his circle. How does this culture of silence affect decision-making in your opinion?
**Pálinkás:** It’s quite alarming. When I dared to speak up during a discussion back in 2015, the atmosphere was suffocating—everyone else just went along with whatever he suggested without debate. This stifles critical thinking and prevents necessary discussions about our policies. It leads to a scenario where decisions are made by a single voice instead of being informed by diverse opinions.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that there was economic growth until 2019, but since then, things have taken a turn for the worse. How do you see this impacting everyday citizens in the near future?
**Pálinkás:** The decline is palpable, and soon it will manifest in dissatisfaction among the public. People will feel the consequences of cuts to essential services, and when they do, that discontent will grow. Unfortunately, we are already witnessing the first signs of this with rising frustrations in various sectors.
**Interviewer:** In your view, what can be done to restore balance and prioritize education and healthcare in Hungary?
**Pálinkás:** It starts with recognizing the importance of these sectors and ensuring they receive the funding and support they need. What we need is a comprehensive approach that values human capital over mere architectural accomplishments. We should be investing in our teachers, healthcare workers, and the systems that hold our society together.
**Interviewer:** You paint quite a stark picture of the current political climate. What is your hope for the future of Hungary?
**Pálinkás:** I hope for a leadership that understands that true greatness comes from nurturing its people—education and healthcare are not mere line items on a budget; they’re essential for a thriving country. I wish to see a government that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens over grandiose ambitions. We need a shift back to what truly matters: the lives we enhance and the futures we help build.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, József, for sharing your insights today. It seems Hungary’s path forward will require a critical reassessment of values and priorities.
**Pálinkás:** Exactly. Let’s hope we can steer the conversation in that direction before it’s too late.
