Update: 36+ hours later, a State Department spokesperson has now given the following response, on background. No explicit mention of Orban or Hungary: pic.twitter.com/wxmZD6PAV0
— Robbie Gramer (@RobbieGramer) March 31, 2020
I know we're not thinking much about foreign policy right now. But normally, when the leader of a US ally like Hungary shuts down democracy and seizes absolute power, the State Department has something to say.
Thus far, crickets from @SecPompeo. https://t.co/qclxLTb9xl
— Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) March 31, 2020
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will be allowed to rule by decree without a set time limit https://t.co/HjQ0E072eD
— POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) March 30, 2020
Hungarian Parliament passes bill that gives PM Orbán unlimited power & proclaims:
– State of emergency w/o time limit
– Rule by decree
– Parliament suspended
– No elections
– Spreading fake news + rumors: up to 5 yrs in prison
– Leaving quarantine: up to 8 yrs in prison#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/5ScZCbF4yv— Balazs Csekö (@balazscseko) March 30, 2020
Orban has just shut down democracy in Hungary. Suspends elections; up to five years jail for spreading "misinformation"; rule by decree. This is a red alert moment for liberal democracy. Will the EU penalise Hungary? Will Trump and Pompeo condemn?
— Edward Luce (@EdwardGLuce) March 30, 2020
Just noticed that we have a charge in @usembbudapest as Hungary's parliament allowed PM Viktor Orbán almost unlimited power, for an indefinite period. Where's the US ambassador who called Orbán ”the perfect partner to have a dance with here.” https://t.co/eGS6J5Uah4 https://t.co/G0NefL4oeI
— Diplopundit STAY HOME Pls (@Diplopundit) March 30, 2020
“Like Trump, he likes to put on a good show. The two men have been friends for decades & thanks to Trump, David Cornstein is now the US ambassador to Hungary. It should come as little surprise…that Cornstein has modeled his diplomacy style on his boss's” https://t.co/TfKOUbCkDQ
— Szabolcs Panyi (@panyiszabolcs) December 17, 2019
According to the new #US Ambassador to #Hungary, David #Cornstein, Viktor #Orban is a strong and wonderful leader. He stressed that the #CEU's case is very important for Washington. @usembbudapest https://t.co/J1Y5V9HYE5
— Hungary Journal (@hungary_journal) July 20, 2018
10 yrs ago I was in Hungary as a deputy assistant secretary of state, calling out backsliding on human rights & democratic institutions.
People told those of us who were concerned that we were overreacting. We weren't. Orban's power play today has been a long time coming. pic.twitter.com/auywKhLxMr
— Dan Baer (@danbbaer) March 30, 2020