Amerikai Magyar Hírlap, 2012 (24. évfolyam, 1-50. szám)
2012-12-07 / 47. szám
AMERICAN Hungarian Journal This article’s author is a young political scientist with Hungarian origin, born in a Hungarian family. Kalman Julius Andrássy is a political science instructor at Westwood College, teaching political science, international relations, comparative politics, and United States government. He has also worked as a geopolitical analyst, specializing in Europe and Central Asia, and will be taking the State Department’s foreign service officer examination in February. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Valdosta State University in Georgia in public administration and policy, finishing his dissertation on public-private partnerships deploying geopolitical analysts to abroad to enhance comprehension of crisis incidents and improve situational readiness in the event of a major catastrophe to maintain business and public service continuity. Would Hungary Benefit From a Presidential System? Would it be in the best interest of the Hungarian people to adopt a presidential system similar to that of the United States? In the U.S. the head of state is directly elected, rather than being appointed by the legislature (the National Assembly, parliament, or Országgyűlés). Under the current system, it is anticipated that Viktor Orbán of the center-right Fidesz party will likely reign as Prime Minister indefinitely in the immediate future due to Fidesz party domination of the political system. The Prime Minister has power over all legislation, in that he or she is generally appointed from the party that controls the legislature. In a parliamentary system, the majority government can do pretty much anything that it wants to do, without having to worry about the consequences until a vote of confidence or the next elections. This has resulted in criticism for Orbán in particular, with international political scientists seeing his party’s large majority in parliament and subsequent power consolidation as pushing Hungary more and more toward authoritarianism. A President, however, merely sets the tone for the policies he or she wishes to see come from the legislature, but it is ultimately the legislature that is independently responsible for drafting the bills. The President’s power instead lies in vetoing legislation that goes against his or her principles or differs too much from what he or she had intended. A presidential system in Hungary would establish more of the “checks and balances” that characterize the U.S. system, requiring negotiation and finding the middle ground on laws. The Hungarian public may, in fact, benefit from changing its constitution and directly electing a president. Orbán has passed laws that have presumably catered to the far right elements of the voting public to secure Fidesz’s victory in elections, leading to the dissatisfaction of many of the moderate and leftist voters in Hungary. If it were truly the will of the Hungarian people to grant the Orbán virtually unchecked power, it could be done through direct elections. However, if there is divided public on the ideal political ideology, a President may be of one party, while the legislature may be of another, requiring both sides to stop and attempt to work together to resolve common issues without adherence to ideological absolutes. Imagine if the U.S. had a parliamentary system, and every piece of legislation that either George Bush or Barack Obama ever wanted to pass became law. It is doubtful that anyone would be satisfied with the result, so why would it be the same in Hungary? Then again, would the option to choose someone else to lead the country result in any change, or would people base their decisions on name recognition, and would that name be Orbán? And would that really be such a bad thing? Kalman Julius Andrassy December 7, 2012 Í9 C c/ s/zys///fYZ/z /i z/ze*J / lit ORIGIN Al. OLD WOR ID WINES Bring the old world to your world. Explore the extraordinary wines of Central Europe Specials: Őszi Arany 2007 100% Juhfark $19.50 Légii Chardonnay 2009 $24.50 www.CarpathianWines.com or call: +i 858 771 3037 Local pickup for San Diego orders We specialize ife exceptional wines from Central Europe Tokaji Aszú friulano Cabernet Franc * I fi A m p h o ékStMe Furmint Kékfranka&yÉiL^. / ■Wnd marii mor» jae ANGYALFI RENT- A-CAR AUTÓBÉRLÉS MAGYARORSZÁGON A. Suzuki Swift 1.0 manual 150 usd/hét B. Fiat Punto 1.2, Opel Corsa 1.2, Suzuki Swift II 1.3 manual, air.c 190 usd/hét C. Suzuki SX4 1.5 manual, air.c 220 usd/hét D. Opel Astra 1.4 manual, air.c 250 usd/hét E. 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