Eurasia Press & News
Elsewhere in the region, Orban sells half a Budapest district to Arab investors; Czech public support for Ukraine drops; and Poland lobbies to remove restrictions on buying advanced chips from the US.
Adebate on a vote of no confidence in Slovakia’s fourth government under Robert Fico ended abruptly on Tuesday, after the interim parliamentary speaker, Peter Ziga, declared the session closed to the public at the PM’s request. The opposition refused to participate in such a closed session, during which Fico presented an “evidence-based” report from the SIS intelligence agency that hinted at an alleged coup in the works. The intelligence report was not on the parliamentary agenda, fuelling accusations that Fico is weaponising the SIS to settle political scores. The agency is headed by Pavol Gaspar, son of Tibor Gaspar, a former police chief and MP of Fico’s Smer party, who is facing charges of being part of an organised criminal group. Fico’s claims, according to opposition leaders, mirror his recurring rhetoric in public, including warnings on Wednesday of a so-called “Slovak Maidan”, referring to the pro-European revolution in Ukraine that ousted the corrupt regime of Viktor Yanukovych in 2013-14. Fico alleged that individuals involved in the protests in Georgia and Ukraine are now operating in Slovakia with foreign support, purportedly through NGOs. These organisations, he claimed, have developed plans for blockades and occupations of government buildings and are linked to the opposition. The NGOs in question dismissed the accusations, asserting their activities are legal. A Security Council meeting on Thursday, attended by President Peter Pellegrini and representatives from the coalition and security forces but no representatives from the opposition, discussed preventive measures, after which Fico accused the opposition of an attempt to “organise a coup”. Fico assured that the armed forces would not intervene against protesters unless violence erupts – a scenario he seemingly anticipates. Fico insists a change of government can only occur via an election, which he argues the opposition fears because they would lose again. His coalition, however, has been wrestling with internal conflicts for months and holds just a slim majority in parliament. Fico recently acknowledged the possibility of a snap election, though the latest polls indicate his coalition would be unable to form a government, with the opposition projected to win. Meanwhile, critics argue Fico’s actions are a blatant misuse of the intelligence services, a tactic aimed at avenging what he describes as “persecution” during his time in opposition. Many of his former associates either were or faced being convicted in that period, but his government’s 2023 reforms to Slovakia’s criminal code have shielded others from accountability.
More than 600 mental health professionals in Slovakia penned an open letter to Fico, voicing concerns over what they describe as an alarming erosion of political culture and democratic values under his leadership. The letter, spearheaded by prominent experts Professor Jozef Hasto and Professor Anton Heretik, highlights fears over the country’s domestic stability and its standing on the international stage. The signatories urged Fico to either change his approach or step away from politics, warning of the growing threat to democracy in Slovakia. They argue that Fico’s public behaviour has grown increasingly combative and authoritarian, particularly in the aftermath of recent political turmoil. “Your political conduct is marked by a power-driven authoritarian style, manipulation of facts, lying, denigrating others, and attacking political opponents, journalists, and ordinary citizens who voice dissent,” the letter states. The move echoes a similar plea made by experts to the authoritarian former PM Vladimir Meciar in 1998. Fico dismissed the letter as “recycled nonsense”, accusing its authors of abusing their professions for political purposes. He emphasised that changes in government should occur through democratic elections, not what he called “pseudo-medical pamphlets”. Fico also vowed to report the matter to international organisations, claiming the experts had crossed professional boundaries.
Orban sells half a Budapest district to Arab investors; spin doctor forges far-right network
The Hungarian government’s announcement that it has sold part of a Budapest district to the Dubai-based Eagle Hills Group for 50 billion forints (120 million euros) caused uproar this week. The group’s owner, Mohamed Alabbar – also known for his investment in the Belgrade Waterfront project – plans to build a new district called Grand Budapest worth at least 5 billion euros by 2039. Previously dubbed Mini (or Maxi) Dubai, the development has prompted critics to question how the sale of such a major piece of land squares with the government’s sovereignty-based stance. “This is net treason,” Budapest’s leftist-green mayor, Gergely Karacsony, wrote on Facebook. “Half of a Budapest district is now under the control and supervision of another country – so much for the much-touted sovereignty,” agreed David Vitezy, Karacsony’s conservative rival. The municipality of Budapest argues it has an option to buy part of the land that has just been sold to Eagle Hills, and will seek legal ways to challenge the contract. Construction Minister Janos Lazar reacted scathingly: “A cheque and nothing else: bring the 5,000 billion [forints] and you can take the land where you have done nothing in the last 30 years.” The area where Grand Budapest is planned is one of the most run-down parts of the capital, around a dilapidated railway station. While there is a consensus the area needs to be redeveloped, there are differing views on what exactly should be built there and where the money should come from. The Budapest municipality promises “green spaces and recreational facilities”, while the Emirati investor plans skyscrapers 400-500 metres high, which would radically alter Budapest’s iconic skyline. Valaszonline.hu has already revealed a number of businessmen close to the government are involved in the project. In the absence of EU funds and a stagnating economy, Hungarian construction companies regard the Grand Budapest project as a lifeline. But real estate experts warn the new district will drive up property prices and exacerbate the existing housing crisis for young families.
Critical weekly hvg.hu published an investigation into the PM’s spin doctor, Arpad Habony, and his involvement in election campaigns in Georgia, Slovakia, Poland and the US. The most telling part is how Viktor Orban’s government deserted its former Georgian ally, Mikheil Saakashvili, and embraced the populist Georgian Dream and its pro-Russian leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili. Habony, who has no official role in the government but is seen as a close ally of the recently US-sanctioned Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office minister, Antal Rogan – was seen in Georgia several times over the last year helping the ruling party’s campaign. The Hungarian government stood by the government in Tbilisi even as it passed Russian-style legislation to sanction foreign-funded NGOs, which led to the suspension of its EU accession bid. Orban rushed to congratulate Ivanisvhili on his election victory, raising eyebrows in Brussels. However, Hungarian spin doctors were less successful in Poland, where the defeated PiS party blamed Hungarian advisers for its loss of support in 2023’s election. Recently, Habony and his group were seen in Buenos Aires, where they shared with Argentinean President Javier Milei their strategy for staying in power for four consecutive terms and insights on how to use negative propaganda and disinformation to rally voters. The weekly noted that Habony and his colleagues usually use the facilities of Hungarian embassies around the world, which serve as meeting points for the radical-right network.
Czech public support for Ukraine drops; questions surround youth violence
Czechs’ interest in and support for Ukraine continue to drop, according to a survey published this week by the Centre for Public Opinion Research (CVVM). Less than half of the population (43 per cent) is now interested in the development of the war in Ukraine, which is nearing its three-year anniversary, according to the poll – a 14-percentage-point decrease compared with early 2024, and almost half its level at the beginning of the conflict in 2022. Meanwhile, some 58 per cent of respondents expressed disapproval of the Czech government’s support for Kyiv, compared with around a third in favour of Prague’s policy. Those figures are virtually exactly reversed from the immediate aftermath of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While indicative of the population’s weariness of a war few believe Kyiv can win on the battlefield – as well as a widespread dissatisfaction with anything championed by the unpopular government of PM Petr Fiala – research shows the majority of the population still considers the conflict to pose a significant threat to European and Czech security, with more than 40 per cent of respondents in favour of isolating Russia, as well as for maintaining financial and military aid to Ukraine. What’s more, about a tenth would be in favour of sending soldiers to take part in the fight, the CVVM poll suggests. Those results do not square with notably stronger pro-Russian views within the country. While larger segments of the population would prefer a Ukrainian victory that would involve retaking all the territories lost to Russian forces, this is also considered the least likely scenario, according to another STEM study from last year.
Could the Czech Republic be facing a burgeoning youth violence problem? The question has been debated in the wake of an incident that occurred on Monday morning at an elementary school in south Bohemia, where a 13-year-old student threatened his teacher and classmates with a gun. Despite pulling the trigger twice, no shots were fired, and the teacher herself managed to peacefully neutralise the pupil, who is also said to have had a knife and an axe in his possession. He has since been placed in a juvenile detention centre. While tragedy was avoided, the incident prompted warnings from professionals. According to Michal Goetz, head of the children’s psychiatric hospital in Oparany, Czechia has been facing an increase in cases of child violence and aggression, cautioning the problem may rise further. Violent crimes committed by under-18s has doubled from 2021, according to last year’s figures, while minor criminal actions also saw an increase, albeit milder, over the same period. Experts have warned that children are particularly prone to violent behaviour if they are facing difficult conditions at home and may tend to replicate violence and trauma experienced in the household, furthermore finding ‘inspiration’ between each other when reading about similar cases elsewhere. Only last week, an 18-year-old killed two people in a knife attack at a secondary school in neighbouring Slovakia. Coincidentally, the Czech lower house this week approved the new position of children’s ombudsman, while passing a government proposal to strengthen the protection of children and other victims of domestic violence.
Poland lobbies to get more US advanced chips; politicians debate limiting 800+ to Ukrainians
The Polish government has begun advocating to eliminate restrictions imposed by the US on purchasing advanced computer chips and other technology needed for AI development. The US announced in mid-January that only 18 countries worldwide, not including Poland, would face no limits on buying such products from US companies. There are three tiers: the 18 that can buy AI chips and technology from US companies without restrictions; a second tier, including Poland, that would face a cap on how much they can buy; and others, like China, that cannot buy them at all. The aim, Washington said, is to “ensure that US technology undergirds global AI use and that adversaries cannot easily abuse advanced AI”. According to reports, Polish officials were shocked to see their country in the second tier. “The omission of Poland among the 18 key allies and partners is a decision that I find incomprehensible,” Krzysztof Paszyk, Poland’s minister for economic development and technology wrote in a statement quoted by Politico. In a separate statement, the ministry said: “Poland has been investing in the development of the high-tech sector for years, and possible restrictions may adversely affect the pace and scope of this process.” Poland argues the restrictions could negatively impact its current effort to boost military capabilities, especially since AI is being increasingly used on the battlefield to detect and even attack enemy targets. According to Paszyk, Warsaw is discussing with its US partners whether Poland’s categorisation might be changed. Poland has also asked the EU Commission to intervene in the matter.
The opposition PiS party this week proposed a draft law that would restrict the access of Ukrainian families to the so-called 800+ child subsidy, making it conditional on the parents’ being employed and paying taxes in Poland. The move comes after Rafal Trzaskowski, the presidential candidate for the governing coalition, floated the idea of restricting the child benefit to those Ukrainian families who live, work and pay taxes in Poland. “Benefits like 800+ should go to those who have been contributing to our economy, this is a fair and common sense approach,” Trzaskowski said during a meeting with voters. PiS said its own bill was a way to check whether Trzaskowski and the governing PO party were serious about this. The child subsidy was first introduced by PiS and is credited with keeping the party in power for eight years. PM Donald Tusk’s party, despite initially criticising the measure, maintained it after coming to power in 2023, because of its popularity and positive effect on reducing child poverty.
