These were the greatest Hungarian scandals of 2020
Even though when we think of 2020, we most likely associate it with the coronavirus, we also had some other scandals that are hard to forget.
Let us see the greatest Hungarian scandals of 2020, collected by HVG.
Compensation of segregated children
After being segregated in a school in Gyöngyöspata, Roma children should have received HUF 100 million (EUR 300,000) as compensation. The Hungarian government, however, suggested that the children should rather be compensated with proper education. Finally, the Supreme Court of Hungary declared that they should be paid, even though Viktor Orbán claimed that giving money for nothing is deeply unfair.
Gábor Kaleta’s child pornography case
The former ambassador of Hungary to Peru received a suspended sentence for a year and a fine of HUF 540,000 (EUR 1,478) for possessing 19 thousand paedophile photographs. Kaleta confessed everything at the trial, while his lawyer’s reasoning included that Kaleta is a deeply religious person who practises his faith regularly. His family was shattered by the case.
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó’s yacht scandal
Even though Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s motto for the summer was “More Balaton, less Adria”, encouraging domestic holiday destinations, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó was caught onboard of a EUR 20 million yacht. Politicians, however, are not allowed to accept gifts higher than the amount of their salaries. Szijjártó, at the same time, was posting pictures on his social media as if he was working in his office.
As a result of a restructuring plan, Hungary’s most-read news site Index’s freedom was violated. After chief editor Szabolcs Dull was fired, nearly the entire team handed in their resignation. Thousands of people were protesting both for Index and for freedom of the press in general.
After a new foundation took over the Hungarian University of Theatre and Film Arts, the board resigned, claiming they lost their autonomy. This resulted in a series of protests and strikes by students and other supporters, with the motto: “free SZFE”. The protests had to stop due to the coronavirus restrictions, but the case is still ongoing, and the future is full of questions.
Dóra Dúró, member of the Hungarian Parliament, shreds a children’s book
Dóra Dúró shredded a children’s book at a press conference, claiming it promotes homosexual propaganda. Dúró was offended by the homosexual characters in the book. Viktor Orbán’s comment on the case was that Hungary is patient towards homosexuality, but “they should leave our children alone”.
After George Clooney mentioned Orbán when talking in an interview about hatred in the world, the reaction of the pro-government media in Hungary was that he must be an ally of George Soros.
MEP Tamás Deutsch and the Gestapo
MEP Tamás Deutsch compared the methods of Manfred Weber to the Gestapo, for which Austrian member Othmar Karas initiated his expulsion from the European People’s Party. Deutsch apologised and could stay in the EPP, but his rights were taken away.
MEP Szájer József’s sex scandal
MEP József Szájer’s sex scandal broke out at the end of the year. He participated in a gay orgy during curfew restrictions. After the police arrived at the venue, Szájer tried to flee with the help of the drainpipe, but he was caught with drugs in his bag. He apologised and resigned from his position.
Source: HVG