The European Union seems helpless, even complicit, as authoritarian-minded governments cite the pandemic to consolidate their power.
Tag: Hungary
Autocrats’ Quandary: You Can’t Arrest a Virus
The world’s strongmen are reverting to their standard playbook to project an aura of control. It’s a risky strategy for a chaotic crisis.
Hungary’s Leader Grabbed Powers to Fight the Virus. Some Fear Other Motives.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban can now rule by decree. Doctors worry he won’t use that power to improve the country’s coronavirus response.
E.U. Court Rules 3 Countries Violated Deal on Refugee Quotas
Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic failed to live up to their end of an agreement to distribute 160,000 asylum seekers who had arrived in Greece and Italy, the court said.
E.U. Tries Gentle Diplomacy to Counter Hungary’s Crackdown on Democracy
European leaders were reluctant to pick a fight with Prime Minister Viktor Orban a day after he secured powers to rule by decree indefinitely.
For Autocrats, and Others, Coronavirus Is a Chance to Grab Even More Power
Leaders around the world have passed emergency decrees and legislation expanding their reach during the pandemic. Will they ever relinquish them?
What Should Europe Do About Viktor Orban and ‘Illiberal Democracy’?
Donald Tusk is leaving his job as European Council president, but he still faces the problem presented by his old friend, transformed by power and cynicism.
E.U. Lawmakers Condemn Subsidy Corruption but Disagree on What to Do
A Times investigation showed how oligarchs and political patrons make millions in farm subsidies. But the program is all but sacrosanct.
Who Keeps Europe’s Farm Billions Flowing? Often, Those Who Benefit
Conflict-of-interest rules are uneven. Influence-peddling is murky. The enormous E.U. subsidy program is built to keep the money moving.
E.U. Defends Farm Subsidy Program Exploited by Autocrats
Outright fraud is rare, officials said. A Times investigation found that the program helped underwrite oligarchs, mobsters and far-right populists.