William Penn Life, 2005 (40. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-09-01 / 9. szám
Magyar Matters New Hungarian president addresses key issues in first speech to Parliament from The Budapest Sun BUDAPEST — Speaking publicly for the first time as his nation's president, László Sólyom called on Hungarians to better understand the state of their ethnic kin in neighboring countries and for Hungary to play a larger role in Europe. In a closer than expected election, Sólyom, an academic lawyer, beat Katalin Szili in the third round of voting June 7 to become the third president of the Republic of Hungary since the great political changes of 1985. Sólyom, the Fidesz Party candidate, won 185 votes to Socialist (MSzP) candidate Szili's 182. He was sworn into office Aug. 5. Speaking in front of the Houses of Parliament on Aug. 20, Hungary's National Day marking the foundation of the state, Sólyom hinted that new "legal discoveries" made it possible for the situation of Hungarians "beyond the borders" to be dealt with more effectively than before. But it was not just a legal question: citizens of the "mother country'" had to take an interest in the lives of their neighbors. "Hungarians who have lived in another state for 80 years know what conditions are like there," he said. "But what do we, the people of the mother country, know of our neighbors?" A purely emotional approach to the issue could lead only to misunderstanding, which could be resolved only by acquiring concrete knowledge, he said. He also called for Hungary to show greater self-confidence and a sense of its own sovereignty. "Why should we always adapt, always follow in our international relations," he asked. Hungarians should learn from founder King St. Stephen, that they could make their own contribution to Europe and the world. He added that though Hungary was only a medium-sized power in Hungarian President László Sólyom addresses the media following his election in June. Europe, it too could play a role in the decision-making process. The European Union was not democratic enough, but at least Hungary's own democracy could inform the EU's decision-making. To this end, Parliament should not merely be informed about EU decisions by the government, he said. Sólyom's speech was well-judged, going by the reactions of politicians from the parliamentary parties, each of whom found something to his or her liking. The Socialist parliamentary party leader Ildikó Lendvai was glad to learn that Sólyom's thinking on Hungarian minorities abroad was similar to her own party's, whereas Fidesz spokesman Máriusz Révész welcomed the president's defense of the nation's interests and his willingness to speak out about the rights of ethnic Hungarians abroad. The Free Democrat's Mátyás Eörsi said, "We have long said that Hungary is a medium-sized power and we hope that more people will believe the president." And the Hungarian Democratic Forum's Zoltán Hock understood that Sólyom had endorsed the idea of dual citizenship for the Hungarian minorities living in neighboring countries. In Brief Congressman urges Bush visit President Bush should visit Hungary next year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising, according to Tom Lantos, the Hungarian-born US congressman from California. Speaking to reporters in a U.S. Embassy Press Conference, Lantos said that a Bush visit would be an appropriate way to “pay tribute to the courage of the heroes of 1956.” Lantos said he would also be encouraging Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State, to include a stop in Hungary on one of her European trips. Ministry reports surplus for July Hungary’s Finance Ministry recently reported that July budget revenues outpaced expenditures, leading to a surplus of 51.7 billion forints, the first positive monthly figures this year. The surplus trimmed the seven-month cumulative deficit this year to 936.4 billion forints, or 91.6 percent of the year-end target of 1.022 billion forints. The news came as something of a surprise, as the ministry had earlier forecast that July would finish just 28.8 billion forints in the black. The ministry expects the budget deficit to overshoot to 1,083 billion forints by September, with a budget surplus of around 100 billion forints in December. Have news about the Hungarian community you want to share? Write to: John E. Lovász, William Penn Life, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. You may also call us at 1-800-848-7366, ext. 135, or send an email to: jlovasz@williampennassociation.org William Penn Life, September 2005 13
