International Relations

I received this e-mail from that ""nice" Mr Orban asking me to vote for VOKS2025. Not that I can vote anyway but it's the thought that counts. Or is it a non-thought? Meh....whatever, anyway, here's what I received (translated):
"Ukraine's EU membership is a fate-changing issue that affects all of us and can determine our future for decades. The Government wants to give all Hungarians the opportunity to express their opinion on this matter. More than 1.5 million people have already voted on paper in the vote on Ukraine's EU membership. This is an exceptionally high number in a few weeks, which shows that Hungarians understand the weight of the issue. About an issue that cannot be decided without us.
- @fluffy2560

You should reply with the comments you post here.

I received an update from the FCDO/travel advisory service warning me about bears in neighbouring Slovenia.

Hiking

If you plan to hike in Slovenia:

1. consider the level of difficulty and distance
2. plan for the weakest member of your group
3. use a printed or digital map with marked paths and their descriptions
4. tell family or friends of your plans
5. check whether mountain cabins are open
6. do not use hiking trails that have been closed or take shortcuts
7. follow local safety advice about bears. Bears are present in wooded areas throughout Slovenia, including near cities. In 2025 a bear attacked a person walking their dog in Skofljica, 6 miles southeast of Ljubljana.  See What to do when encountering a bear if you encounter a bear.

There were news reports of a bear cull in Slovakia and the subsequent sale of bear meat.   Obviously the bears just wander around over the borders which are heavily forested in places. There have been some some sightings in Hungary. 

MAGA types will say that illegal bears should be deported.  And if in Slovakia.  Executed. Poor old Smokey. 🐻😮

CPAC Hungary:

Europe's US-backed conservatives hope this is their moment to go mainstream

Looks like the Polish Presidential election Sunday  will indicate which direction the wind is blowing across the region.  Polls within Poland during an election are illegal I believe but commentators say it's looking marginally in favour of the democratic candidate.   Perhaps it'll be a replay of the Romanian election where the right wing candidate was firmly rejected.   

Meanwhile, here in HU, the much touted fertility push has gone nowhere.   Not that HU is in any way special.  The impression is that everywhere in Europe is experiencing low birth rates.  It's never been entirely clear to me why it is so low.

CPAC Hungary:Europe's US-backed conservatives hope this is their moment to go mainstream - @fluffy2560

It's been a big week in Europe for CPAC, the US Conservative Political Action Conference, with large gatherings in Poland and Hungary.

The US should keep its fat nose out of other countries' democracies.

At least you posted a link that clearly shows election interface by the US is real.

You denied it, then posted a link that proves you lied.

I found this one amusing. It certainly cheered me up on this very sunny Saturday morning pending grass mowing/hoovering.

Japan cracks down on ‘sparkly’ names for babies like Pikachu or Nike

Our previous cat (aka Fluffy) would have been pleased that her name wouldn't have been on a rejected list.

I remember David Bowie had a kid named Zowie.  That seemed bad enough.  But he's changed his name to Duncan and is now a successful film director.   I like his movie Moon.  Well worth a look.  He has a really complex ancestry - British, Canadian, USA etc.

I found this one amusing. It certainly cheered me up on this very sunny Saturday morning pending grass mowing/hoovering.Japan cracks down on ‘sparkly’ names for babies like Pikachu or NikeOur previous cat (aka Fluffy) would have been pleased that her name wouldn't have been on a rejected list.I remember David Bowie had a kid named Zowie. That seemed bad enough. But he's changed his name to Duncan and is now a successful film director. I like his movie Moon. Well worth a look. - @fluffy2560

I just wish my son and DIL would get busy and have a baby, no matter what they call it.

We had a few names in the hat for our son but in the end our roommate found one that we though went well with his surname;

One was Sebastian, sort of long for a small child.I was not against a Hungarian name but my husband did not want to use one. Said he was American and he should have a none HU modern name.

His name gets looks however at times from certain groups. I think if people have a negative mind set, then they only see the negative. His name is suppose to be a good one according to his zodiac sign. I no longer place much value in the zodiac but what is done is done; His middle name is Hawaiian, he was born on Maui. It translates to bright as the moon.

His first name could  remind some people who only see the negative as a German sounding name from the 1940s. Not even spelled the same way and for sure we had no evil in our hearts when we used it.

My husband said at the time only stupid people from the past would see something bad about his name, how wrong he was; I was asked twice way he had that name, I am sure it has raised more eyebrows then I know of. We just call him Air these days, avoids allot of BS. We told him he is free to legally change his name if he wants but no, he is keeping it.

Actually his name comes from Persia and means noble.

As of a few hours ago :

(note:  The Curia is the Supreme Court in Hungary)

Of course, this is not only about LGBT rights per se, but also the rights of assembly.  Hard to know if the protest is going ahead or not. It's been labelled as "mini-Pride".

A few days ago, it came to light that the police banned the June 1 march organized for the rights of LGBTQ people, citing the 15th amendment to the Basic Law. The purpose of the demonstration would have been to draw attention to the importance of action against trans and homophobia, to stand up for the equality of rights of the LGBTQ community, all on the occasion of the adoption five years ago of the so-called. Section 33, which deprived transgender people of the opportunity to change their gender and related name. This decision to ban has now been annulled by the Court. (original text in Hungarian).

"The decision did not deduce why the reported meeting was subject to the referenced provisions of the Basic Law and legislation. Nor could it be ascertained, on the basis of the documents of the decision and the proceedings, what was the particular circumstance by which the assembly authority had to prohibit the assembly, whereas two weeks previously it had not considered the holding of assemblies on similar subjects to be in contravention of the Basic Law but had taken note of them", read a statement from the Curia explaining that the Curia could not carry out the missing proof, that however, in the absence of this, it is not possible to take a position on the legality of the prohibition of the meeting.

The 15th amendment to the Basic Law, which entered into force in April - the purpose of which is to ban Budapest Pride citing "child protection reasons" - had to be applied by the Court for the first time in this case. Incidentally, an amendment to the law was passed in March, which states that it is forbidden to organize a meeting that displays gender diversity or promotes homosexuality, and according to which the right of children to the protection and thinking necessary for proper physical and mental development precedes the right to peaceful assembly both.

A few days ago, it - @fluffy2560

Readers should be aware the owner of the quoted news outlet is Ringier, and they are part of local groups working with the United States National Endowment for Democracy, a CIA run, US Congress funded group.

Blikk (Blink) is a Hungarian daily tabloid newspaper published in Budapest, Hungary, owned by the Swiss media company Ringier

https://www.cima.ned.org/publication/in … nfosphere/

Members include media companies such as publisher Ringier Axel Springer

(CIMA) An initiative of the National Endowment for Democracy | 1201 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20004

Readers are free to decide if they believe any given spin put on political stories published by groups  closely linked to the CIA, but they should be aware of those links.

On the subject of democracy, the ban bill was passed by a massive majority

https://www.thejournal.ie/hungary-passe … 1-Mar2025/

Hungarian parliament overwhelmingly passes bill banning Budapest Pride parade

The bill – submitted yesterday morning and fast-tracked under an exceptional procedure – passed the 199-seat National Assembly with 136 voting in favour and 27 against.

That's a pretty big majority, and their democracy in action.

It hardly matters what anyone likes, you can't do anything unless you are willing to oppose democracy.

EU countries set to express concern about Hungary legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people, draft shows - https://www.reuters.com/world/eu-countr … 025-05-26/

You either accept a democracy or you do not.

If you want every country to mirror your own opinions, you must overthrow their democratic governments and install dictatorships or other puppets that suit your feeling.

However, doing so commonly leads to wars, death, and misery.

What Hungary has done may or may not be to your liking, but it's their democracy, so their choice.

Perhaps posters who object could clarify their position on democracy as a form of government - Do you agree with the concept or not?

This is more like news

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-01/W … Yr6/p.html

The track record of the U.S.-centered alliances in destabilizing regions – rather than delivering stability and establishing deterrence – is remarkable. From foreign invasions and interventions to arms sales and fabricated groupings, America has been fueling conflicts and undermining regional peace. With Washington increasingly seen as a "protection racket" by its own allies, the country's reliability as a credible security provider is blowing to bits.

I will be attending a trade show in Jakarta very soon. The show is a fine example of trade based on quality and value instead the US versions that work on threats and killing.

The US wonders why it can't compete with China. Apart from the massive production costs of US products, many countries and the people of those nations simply don't want to deal with the US.

After all, any kid in any school playground knows to play with the nice kids and ignore the bullies.

EU countries set to express concern about Hungary legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people, draft shows - https://www.reuters.com/world/eu-countr … 025-05-26/ - @SimCityAT

Yes, this one is a fairly hot topic as it's not aligning with EU values.   About 30 MEPs are due to attend the actual Pride march but the Commissioners have been told not to attend by UVL (Ursula van de Leyen).   If I was one of them, I'd be telling her where to go.   UVL is worried OV will use it to further denigrate the EU.   Sounds weak to me.  Someone has to take a stand.

Regarding the actual link, Blikk is a tabloid newspaper but the actual discussion was reported by many outlets.  The one I got the original story from was The Economist but it's behind a paywall.  The Economist is obviously a highly professional and trusted newspaper.  For here, I just chose one of the HU ones randomly because it had more detail and was more accessible.  Wasn't any reason for Blikk in particular. The actual text of the Curia's decision can be found online via Google. 

BTW, independent journalism in HU can be had at telex.hu. 

@fluffy2560

I hear a load of MEPs are going to attend some pride event being held. https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/30/ … lgbtq-ban/

Human rights groups challenge Hungary's anti-Pride law in court

Opposition activists and journalists explain why the Orbánisation of the US may fail and how a former ally could end the Hungarian PM’s 15-year reign

Opposition activists and journalists explain why the Orbánisation of the US may fail and how a former ally could end the Hungarian PM’s 15-year reign - @SimCityAT

Good call.  This covers it pretty much.

Next year's election is going to be more than interesting.  Tisza really do seem have a chance of ousting OV or at least destroying Fidesz's supermajority.  But it's not going to be the same in the USA - we've already got corruption coming out of our ears. 

I've read articles talking about people taking up arms against Trump in the USA.  I doubt we'll be seeing that level of aggression here.  There are people with firearms but there are very few of them. But I am sure OV won't go quietly away if he's the loser in 2026. 

Anyone associated with Fidesz and OV with any sense should not be thinking of staying here to see what happens. With so many having suspect assets, they really should be planning an exit strategy now.   Rumour has always been they'll be having their holidays in Dubai just before the election.  No doubt, they'll grow old there.

In English:

EU poll shows impact of Hungarian government's campaign against Ukraine's EU accession

Interesting to see how low Ukraine came down the list when compared to the cost of living and health.

@fluffy2560
I hear a load of MEPs are going to attend some pride event being held. https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/30/ … lgbtq-ban/ - @SimCityAT

I have decided to set up a pride march in Saudi.

I will invite the same MEPs to join in.

@fluffy2560
I hear a load of MEPs are going to attend some pride event being held. https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/30/ … lgbtq-ban/ - @SimCityAT

Link..

Marc Angel, co-president of the European Union’s Intergroup, told the outlet he will be attending as a means of “defending the right to assemble as a fundamental European right” and “show Hungarians who believe in democracy and in Europe that they are not alone”.

These MEPs clearly do not believe in democracy. A democratic vote has taken place, but they are actively working against it.

I wonder what that authoritarian bunch would say if laws they voted for were marched against by people from other countries in defence of said laws.

They would moan on about how other countries should keep their noses out.

There should be a campaign to stop these people from ever standing for any political position ever again.

The extremely popular government of Hungary, now on it's fourth massive election win, is a result of a democratic process.

Hungary has the right to run its affairs as it wishes, and without the EU and US trying to destroy their democracy.

You either believe in democracy or you do not, but believing in democracy as long as the people submit to foreign sensibilities is hypocrisy at best.

It's definitely as dangerous as it is pathetic .

This is interesting.

The majority of US weapons supplied to fuel the Obama/Biden war in Ukraine go through Poland.

Poland has a new president who might very well stop US weapons profits, at least as far as his country is concerned.

This is going to be an amusing situation to watch.

Poland:

Conservative historian wins Polish presidential vote

This will no doubt be welcomed by some governments in the region.

Poland has had legacy of Catholic religious beliefs and things like abortion influence many voters and visits by Popes are heavily attended.  I know people who left Poland because of the influence of religion.  But I wonder if the new Pope had weighed in it would have swung the other way?

Ukraine:

'Operation Spiderweb’: How Ukraine destroyed over a third of Russian bombers

Regardless of which side you're on, the drone led bomber attack by Ukraine on Russian planes was a remarkable feat.  It was truly stunning in its organisation and audacity and of course, it's success.  It's going to be taught at military colleges and history classes for years. 

There's a bit of schadenfreude in this one.  Trump said Ukraine held no cards.  Well, how wrong can you be Donny?   It's really even more of a twist as it means things like HIMARS and single $1M missiles are great, but I reckon the entire Ukraine operation, didn't cost them more than a couple of million.  And apparently all remotely controlled.  Russia said it had apprehended the perps.  Yeah, right, we believe you Vlad. They were long gone and it was all remotely controlled from Kyiv according to reports. 

Stunning operation, simply stunning.

Stunning operation, simply stunning. - @fluffy2560

If it's true.

Confirmation from an independent source is required.

Ukraine/UK:

It's obvious that drone warfare is a game changer.   I noticed an upping of spending on that with the UK's defence review this morning. Notwithstanding no real announcement on increasing the numbers of personnel.   UK is way under strength at 73000 personnel.  Probably it should be 120K+.   Drones are fine but you cannot hold ground with drones. It needs boots on the ground.

As a bit of an amateur economist, I was looking at 9/11 attacks and what that cost Al-Qaeda.   I've seen various costs but the average kind of figure was $500K.  The losses amounted to $33-36B according to the Federal Reserve of NY.   This seems a bit low to me but a significant return on the "investment" if we want to be crass.

I was surprised the cost of the Russia drone attack on the bombers was put at only $7B to the Russians.  I would have thought it was more but perhaps that's only the bombers themselves.  The loss of 30+% of their bomber force is huge.    For Ukraine,  utility of the attack is enormous.   The US and other countries should be bringing Ukraine in as advisors on drone warfare!

@fluffy2560

Its being reported everywhere and there is even video footage. Was quite impressive and will be a blow to Russia.

Just think of all the good that could be done with all this money used to kill, hurt and ruin lives.

This is heartbreaking.

BTW, independent journalism in HU can be had at telex.hu. - @fluffy2560

That is untrue

https://pfe-foundation.eu/wp-content/up … es-ENG.pdf

It's run by anti-government groups, this is neither trustworthy, not independant.

Just think of all the good that could be done with all this money used to kill, hurt and ruin lives.This is heartbreaking. - @Marilyn Tassy

I agree, but there's a massive profit to be had from selling weapons, and bugger all from being nice.

100+ million USD for an F35 would build a hospital for babies in Gaza , or hospitals and schools if you didn't order a bunch of them.

UK pensioners are losing well deserved benifits they paid into all theiir life to get, but the UK has built two very dodgy aircraft carriers.

One Submarine cancelled could mean hunger in a whole country could be a thing of the past for decades, but the armements industry and their well bribed politicians would be a little poorer.

I'm amazed anyone is stupid enough to believe, even support, someone with a dog in the race, especially when that dog kills children, but idiots will always be idiots.

An interesting video from Channel 4 News, https://youtube.com/shorts/zDQzzk15uqg? … cVrLXQYyiL

An interesting video from Channel 4 News, https://youtube.com/shorts/zDQzzk15uqg? … cVrLXQYyiL - @SimCityAT

That was very helpful to see.   

Interesting Lazar actually acknowledged the failing Fidesz model.

Most of them don't say anything useful.

Just think of all the good that could be done with all this money used to kill, hurt and ruin lives.This is heartbreaking. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, of course but it'll save countless of our lives which is clearly more important than the concept of being nice to our enemies and subsidising them making war on others.

@fluffy2560

The planning took 1.5 years to destroy the planes.

@fluffy2560The planning took 1.5 years to destroy the planes. - @SimCityAT

Yup, really a long operation.   It was going on while Trump was giving Zelensky a dressing down.   

Now the egg is on Trump's face for sure.

Zelensky will have shot up in popularity everywhere in Europe and he looks like everything that Trump is not.  That is, a proper statesman rather than someone in charge of a clown show.

BTW, I just read an article in always reliable Economist, to quote:

America’s own strategic bombers are visible in public satellite imagery, sitting in the open. “Imagine, on game-day,” writes Tom Shugart of CNAS, a think-tank in Washington, “containers at railyards, on Chinese-owned container ships in port or offshore, on trucks parked at random properties…spewing forth thousands of drones that sally forth and at least mission-kill the crown jewels of the [US Air Force].” That, he warns, would be “entirely feasible”.

Wow, hadn't even have thought of that!

America’s own strategic bombers are visible in public satellite imagery, sitting in the open. “Imagine, on game-day,” writes Tom Shugart of CNAS, a think-tank in Washington, “containers at railyards, on Chinese-owned container ships in port or offshore, on trucks parked at random properties…spewing forth thousands of drones that sally forth and at least mission-kill the crown jewels of the [US Air Force].” That, he warns, would be “entirely feasible”. Wow, hadn't even have thought of that! - @fluffy2560

The idiocy displayed above is stunning, and clearly written for idiots to believe.

It's easy to work out.

China has no interest in attacking the US, nor does it want to US economy to wither.

Is the above possible?

Yes, of course it is.

Is the above likely to happen?

Only if the US carrier fleets that are threatening China are used.

This is why the piece was written for utter cretins - it totally ignores the very real massive US arms buildup in favour of a 'maybe' that won't happen unless the US attacks China, and then only if the Chinese military has planned it AND the US don't screen imports.

Are we really supposed to believe the Americans don't check containers for weapons?

Hungary's Orban backs Polish nationalist presidential candidate Nawrocki at CPACUnsurprising but I cannot see Nawrocki winning anyway. - @fluffy2560 - @Fred

Your lack of ability to properly assess situations is demonstrated rather well here.

The thinking amongst us saw it as pretty likely, but your prejudice stops you seeing things that don't echo your beliefs.

This is why political comment from you is normally rubbish.

I found this quite interesting:

These Americans are done with Trump. So they’re leaving America

Obviously everyone here in these forums has already left their homelands.   I did it for adventure initially and then did it for love.  I think a lot of people here did it for love eventually.  People cannot help it.

I don't know anyone who did it for politics like in the article.

We might do it for politics if next year there's a disagreeable election result.  Mrs F is adamant she won't stay here but I fear the loss of our land and house to some BS.  Kids might have to stay to make sure we can keep our property.   But I'm limited with only my UK passport and my long lost Irish and therefore EU roots are way too far back to be significant.  My Australian relations are not really there either.   Canada might be an idea if I'm the last one standing and my daughter and SIL are feeling generous.  Still, Ireland is the only place we can both go without being messed about by other countries authorities re: permits etc.  Personally I would rather go to Spain for the weather and lifestyle. 

And more on the Pride march:

Budapest police deny request to hold rainbow parade citing LGBTQ+ march ban

"Organisers of Budapest Pride, which draws tens of thousands annually and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, have vowed that the event will go ahead as planned despite the threat of legal sanctions."

It's become a lightning rod for dissent. The numbers of marchers will clearly show the strength of feeling in the country.   Remains to seen if the government will intervene or back down.

We're really thinking of going to this on the 28 June to show solidarity.    I'll have to go incognito which in this heat is likely to be uncomfortable.  My excuse is that I'm just there as a minder for my Mrs and kids.