William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-05-01 / 5. szám
In Brief I Magyar Matters________________ President signs new constitution into law despite controversy ISTEN ÁLDD MEG A MAGYARTGod bless the Hungarians. So begins the Hungarian Himnusz, and now so, too, does the Hungarian constitution. Hungarian President Pál Schmitt April 25 signed into law Hungary's controversial new constitution despite criticism that the new law eliminates a system of checks and balances and threatens democracy and citizen's rights. The Fidesz party, which won a two-thirds majority in Parliament last year, easily pushed through the new constitution by a vote of 262-44 with one abstention. Nearly 80 members representing minority parties boycotted the vote, claiming they were left out of the drafting process. Fidesz officials say the new law was necessary, citing that the former constitution dated back to 1949 and that Hungary was the last of the former Communist bloc countries to create a new fundamental law following the fall of Communism more than two decades ago. It also says the new system of laws will lead to an economic rebirth for Hungary by cutting the national debt and establishing fiscal restraints. BUDAPEST - Europe is losing the demographic race between major civilizations, Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orbán said last month in a speech to launch an informal meeting of European Union ministers responsible for family policy. If not enough children are born, immigration will be the only way to maintain Europe's economic power, Orbán was quoted as saying by the state news agency MTI. During the meeting in the town of Gödöllő, Orbán called for EU countries to focus on developing pro-family policies rather than pinning their hopes on future immigration. "He who waits for help from elsewhere will sooner or later have to pay 18 0 May 2011 0 William Penn Life Critics say the constitution gives Fidesz too much control and claim the new law will, among other things: • eliminate the system of checks and balances between various branches of government; • lead to new laws restricting or even prohibiting abortions; • allow for legal discrimination against homosexuals and non-Christians; • prevent Hungary from adopting the euro; and • attack the independence of the courts by lowering the retirement age for judges to 62, then raising it to 65 in a few year's time. The new constitution also gives the president the power to dissolve parliament if a budget is not approved by April and takes away the Constitutional Court's authority to rule over matters affecting the state budget until the public debt falls below 50 percent of gross domestic product. The constitution will take effect Jan. 1,2012. The complete text of the Hungarian constitution is available online in English. Log onto: wivw.kormany.hu/ doivnload/4/c3/30000/THE FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF HUNGARY.pdf □ the price for it," Orbán said. As current holder of the rotating six-month EU presidency, Hungary has made the issue of falling birthrates across Europe a key issue. Hungary's population fell below the psychologically important 10 million mark in 2010. Orbán's conservative government has introduced tax breaks for working parents that it hopes will help achieve its aim of a million new Hungarians by 2030. Most European countries face dwindling populations, with women having, on average, fewer than the 2.1 children that are needed to maintain a stable population. In Hungary, the fertility rate is just 1.33, among the lowest in Europe. □ □ The work of Princeton, N.J., artist Idaherma Williams will be showcased during an exhibit opening May 15 at Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation. The exhibit, entitled “Idaherma—Joy in Watercolor and Woodblock Prints,” reflects how Williams was influenced by mythology, nature and everyday life. Her woodblock prints blend Eastern and Western traditions, while her vividlypatterned watercolor explore the beauty of the color spectrum. The exhibit runs through Sept. 10. For more information, call the American Hungarian Foundation at 732-846-5777. □ The Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio invites the public to attend a series of Sunday picnics it will host this summer on the club grounds in Hiram, Ohio. The first picnic—the Buckeye Road Nationalities Picnic—will be held June 26; the second will be July 24 and will feature live music by The Hungarians; and the third will be held Aug. 21 and will include a village wedding and music by Harmonia. The Center is also planning a trip to the WPA Picnic at Scenic View on Sept. 17. For more information about these events, please call 330-274-2786. □ Passers-by were rather surprised April 29 to find a traditional British street party happening outside the British Embassy in Budapest—complete with bunting, balloons (red, white and blue, naturally) and British, Indian and other foods. It’s not something you often see in Hungary. The unusual event marked the marriage of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Some 300 British, Australian, Canadian, Hungarian, American and other grown-ups and children had come to watch the BBC coverage of the happy event. And after toasts and a slice of a wonderful, multitiered cake, they engaged in traditional games and children’s pursuits; shopping from booths; and enjoying some great food and drink provided by sponsors and contributed by the guests themselves. Prime minister calls on European leaders to focus on need to maintain population levels
