A piece of art deeply inspired by politics

As with Ukraine’s brutal 2014 crackdown, when Russian annexing of Crimea caused global outrage, that burn of outrage has been ignited in Hungary. Mr. Orbán isn’t a Russian agent, and he isn’t the instigator…

A piece of art deeply inspired by politics

As with Ukraine’s brutal 2014 crackdown, when Russian annexing of Crimea caused global outrage, that burn of outrage has been ignited in Hungary. Mr. Orbán isn’t a Russian agent, and he isn’t the instigator of the refugee crisis. However, Mr. Orbán helped turn a vastly underfunded Hungarian navy vessel into a filling station for Hungary’s petulant “Petar mix,” in scenes reminiscent of those of Syrian Syrian refugees in 2015.

To the point:

Hungary PM: Greece “looks like a criminal syndicate” for “radical changes” to EU migration quotas https://t.co/Zz4k1FxhL8 — NBC News (@NBCNews) July 15, 2016

Hungary’s Prime Minister says Europe looks like a criminal syndicate for “radical changes” to migration quotas https://t.co/Zz4k1FxhL8 — NBC News (@NBCNews) July 15, 2016

There is an element of trenchant U.S. (and foreign) criticism inherent in Orbán’s weasel words. And it is entirely right that Hungary, like Europe, needs to improve on its migration policies. But, alas, his words were more helpful to his government.

To the point, the men and women on board the Stan are greeted with beer in a country that, as Orbán’s spokesman scoffed in a statement on the boat, “expects much from its maritime borders”. So, is this not a cynical political ploy?

Conversely, it is pleasing to see the right-wing nationalists getting the blame for atrocities that are closer to home. That the group involved – the Polish-Russian border authorities – are innocent victims of a war zone is obvious. For Poland’s government, however, it’s a useful distraction from the reasons Poland looks like a crisis.

Thanks to reader Val.

Leave a Comment