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Peter Kohalmi / AFP - Getty Images
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, above, and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych have been systematically breaking down critical democratic checks and balances, Freedom House said in a report Wednesday.
LONDON -- The leaders of Hungary and Ukraine are following in the footsteps of Russian President Vladimir Putin and imperiling the young democracies, U.S.-based non-governmental organization Freedom House said in a report on Wednesday.
"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, under the pretext of so-called reforms, have been systematically breaking down critical checks and balances," Freedom House's president David Kramer said in a statement.
"They appear to be pursuing the 'Putinization' of their countries, which is ironic, given that in Russia itself Putinism has been largely discredited over the past year, as ordinary Russians increasingly seek guarantees of government accountability and transparency," he added.
A wave of demonstrations have swept through Russia in recent months, with citizens protesting corruption and the Putin government's growing power.
On Wednesday, Russian lawmakers voted through a controversial bill that dramatically increases fines for those accused of participating in banned public protests. The bill was proposed in response to big public rallies against Putin's second term as president.
Hungary president quits in plagiarism scandal
The autocratic tendencies seen in the post-communist democracies pointed out in the Nations in Transit 2012 report risk taking root elsewhere among the European Union's newest members and aspiring members, Freedom House warned. Five other EU members in the region -- Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovakia -- also have seen a decline in democratic practices and traditions over the past five years, according to Freedom House.
Alexey Nikolsky /Ria Novosti /Pr / EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) talks to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (L) during their bilateral talks in Moscow, Russia, on May 15.
Hungary's anti-democratic lurch, made worse by the economic downturn, was deemed the worst in the region by Freedom House.
The report cited a swift dismantling of democratic checks in Hungary, made easier by a weak opposition and the ruling supermajority in parliament.
Huge rally in Prague against austerity measures, alleged corruption
"Hungary’s precipitous descent is the most glaring example among the newer European Union members," the report added. "Its deterioration over the past five years has affected institutions that form the bedrock of democratically accountable systems, including independent courts and media."
More than 10,000 people stormed the streets in protest after Vladimir Putin's victory in Russia's presidential election. NBC's Jim Maceda reports.
Hungary is a member of the EU while Ukraine is an aspiring member.
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While the trend predates Orban's conservative government, his administration's drive has hastened the trend, Freedom House said.
Officials at the embassies of Hungary and Ukraine in London were not immediately available to comment on the report.
Freedom House is a U.S.-based non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights. It was founded in 1941, with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and defeated Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie as its honorary chairpersons.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Since last Election Putin will have more flexibility, now. The way the world works.
So how is this different from what's happening in the U.S.. We've lost our share of rights with the patriot act with more to come in the future. It's a corporate world where international companies have more power than countries.
It is happening here too with Obama's increasing use of executie orders to bypass the legislative process and violating the separation of powers clause in our Constitution. Obama is using executive orders to tell his administration which laws they should and should not enforce and to effectively pass new laws without going through Congress and the Legislative branch. For example, he directed his Department of Education to grant waivers to states to allow them to not comply with the requirements of the No Child Left Behind act. While I fully agree that the act is flawed, there is absolutely no provision in the law for the Department of Education or any one else for that matter to grant waivers to compliance with it's requirements. If a law is flawed the solution is not for the president to violate the separation of powers in our Constitution and tell his administration to ignore the law, the solution is to amend the law through the legislative process. Another example of this abuse of the executive order is the president telling the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to not pursue deportation of anyone in the US illegally who has not been convicted of any other crime and to allow them permission to work in the US. While the law does give the president the authority to review deportation matters on a case by case basis, no where does it give the president the authority to tell his administration to blanketly ignore immigration law. In doing this, the president has established a de facto amnesty which he does not have the legal authority to do. In doing this, he has illegally usurped the authority of the legislative branch to pass laws and expect them to be enforced by the executive and judicial branches of the government. I could go on with many more example of this president's abuse of executive orders, but I think you should get the point. In taking these actions the president is acting more like a dictator, deciding which laws should and should not be followed, instead of a president who is duly sworn to uphold this nation's laws. The presidents actions are a direct violation of the separation of powers clause in the Constitution and his oath of office.
Since the passing of the "National Defense authorization act" the same thing is possible in America.
It's the "Patriot Act" on steroids!
JS- As I recall Bill Clinton was also a major user of executive orders. Obama has not kept his intentions secret. I see a disturbing trend, self-reported in newsmag forums, toward dismantling the Constitution, and an upturn in anti-Semitism as a result of Liberals' love of Palestinian Muslims and corresponding dislike of anything Israeli.
I agree with those here who see the Patriot Act and its' derivatives as the worst case.
I am wondering..with all that the republicans are now pushing..how far to the right..with lose of rights for us citizens will also go ? WIll the citizens of this country allow politicans now to tell us all who has rights and who doesn't ? With the cutting of benefits to the middle class..how do we as a nation protect our own ? Or do we now forget them all as they grow old..as we all will....or has everyone forgoten that little item ?
ivan: What are you trying to say? Your post makes absolutely no sense at all.
1. America is always right, because....
2. America is never wrong.
See?
where are you team cancer!?!?
It's time to hunker down people. There is a mighty power-grab going on throughout the world and there is nothing we can do about it, except wait for the titans to fall flat on their faces. It's not going to be pretty.
Robert, I didn't realize that the unconditional support of the Israeli government was part of the US constitution. Thanks for making it clear for me.
Freedom House is giving Putinization a wrong meaning. What Putinization should mean- Russia and especially its Chief of Armed Forces are issuing veiled and overt threats 'not to join NATO-not to have military exercises by Russian borders since they are a deemed to be threats/hostility towards Russia as publicly stated by Gen,Nikolai Makanov. Not since Stalin has there been such overt interference in neighbours' internal affairs- but Obama adm. has tacitly ackowledged Russia's shrere of interest- in NATO and nonNATO countries in Russia's sphere of interest. That's why Poland got no missile shield.- the sacrificial platter by Obama to yield/cede Mamushka Russia everything. Even BBC noted this palaver tete-a-tete verbatim Obama/Medveved- ...tell Vladimir after elections I have room to act''
JS,
While I also have my disagreements with many of Obama's decisions, I'll have to disagree with you on this one. The GOP voting bloc in Congress has been engaging in obstructionist behavior since the last elections as a means of thwarting the President. While I understand that to be a political tactic, the degree to which it has been pursued has brought many aspects of governmental functions to a standstill, essentially treating the needs of the citizenry as a hostage, so I can fully understand why Obama has tried an 'end around' approach. That doesn't make it right, but by the same token, you shouldn't try to lay the blame solely at his feet. Losing an election does not give that party the option to 'take their ball and go home'.....or do you believe that it does?
Hah. That Ukranian looks like he could easily take Putin. Now THATS a president.
Putin could probably kick his ass, as he has a black belt in judo.
First the Czars; then Communism, now Fascism. The Russian people never, ever get a break. At least Obama is following Putin's lead though.
yeh Jeff...Obamas' "flexibility" will be very visible after November 2012. But only for about 10-11 weeks, when he slinks off back to wherever.
Yeah jeff it's all Obamas fault...the 8 years of shrub never happened or it was great depending on whether you feel like defending the turd...
Is following Putin's lead a good thing? How?
Anyone that opposes this tyranny just disappears?
Just label them terrorist and it's legal as well. No pesky Constitution to get in the way.
These country's can see revolutions coming. Nip it in the bud tactics. The world we live in has to change, the growth of power and wealth has come to a head. The governments, there and here, have forgotten the oaths they took in office. The common people are no more than peasants living outside the castle walls. Elections are no longer won by the votes of the commoners, they are either fixed by the lining of pockets or won on electoral votes. Our votes are nothing more than a formality.
Yep, you protest in Russia they fine you $9,000 and/or put you in jail. Now that is fexibility.
Peasants don't own computers with internet connections.
I guess if you own a computer you can't be a peasant. So nothing to worry about everything is fine. I'm going to order some new plastic junk online from Walmart ; China needs the money more than we do.
I see the 1980's coming back in a big way politically. I can just see eastern Europe just getting swallowed up by Russian influence.
On the other hand, that dose not have to be a bad thing. Maybe, just maybe we will see more stability if there is more of a power balance again in the world. The US would have even more incentive to stand down with current wars and activities if we had to go back to a Deterrent policy towards Russia.
Oh, wait, that wont work ether, we would just move back into the US and Russia fighting each other with proxies. I guess it's time to break out the popcorn and hope that the Russian people can fight their way to a free society.
QE
I also see the IRON CURTAIN cumming down once again . This does not bode well for the west, as Russia is once again courting CHINA . The balance of power is slowly shifting to the east .
bob
They do not need their Army just oil and gas or they will turn the supply off
the perfect control by Russia get all the euros and control Europe not
one bullet fired this time and control forever, we are in the same boat.
As if the same thing isn't happening here.
Maybe Mike, but with a lot less Flexibility. That comes next year.
Yes, yes it is. We still have time to change that before it gets as bad as Russia though. Unfortunately, we keep up with this vote the same parties into office and we never insist that there is more civilian over site of the government's actions. So we are getting, what we are getting because we forgot how to do anything other then talk about standing up for ourselves.
I remember when Johnson was President, protestors of the Vietnam War were arrested by the thousands. Not place to put them so they hauled them off the RFK Statium. I think at one point Johnson had 8,000 people coralled into RFK Statium.
Anyone that protest now in America are called names and scorned. Why is that?
If you control the media feed you can control a country quite easily.
Agree Rocky. But the Teabagger should just shut up and go home.
Yeah, and he forced them to watch the worse team in the league, the Washington Redskins! Talk about cruel and unusual punishment! ;-)
wakani: Why do you hate freedom of speech?
Are you willing to give up your freedom of speech since you disagree with what they are saying? I hope not.
I wonder how many people actualy look at the political definitions in the dictinary ?If they did they would find that many of the definitions have changed from war to war.After Actualy seeing the definitions I wonder how many people would find more in common with unity in socalism rather than capitalism.Keep in mind Older dictinarys refer to democrates as "lack of snobbry" So what dose that imply? It is obviously easy to manipulate the people under a capitalist democracy they just change the definitions in the dictionary to suit there needs.I wonder how much the paid to have the bible re-written?
The funny thing about elinor being a part of this group,Is the fact she wanted he husband to impose military rule and become a dictator LOL Viva La France!
LOL, sounds like what's happening in the good ole USA. Places like Wisconsin and Florida come to mind.
One thing good about Putin is he is not beholden to the international banking community. He doesn't care about the IMF, the Federal Reserve, or Goldman Sux.
No just his Buddies that control all the Business areas in Russia, if not
he takes away the Busines and puts you in jail what a wonderful country
any protest the fine is $9,000 dollars and 2 years in jail.
Mao, Stalin and Hitler didn't care about the League of Nations either. Whats your point?
The reason that Putin's comeback is possible stems from the ways in which their constitution does NOT resemble ours. A two term limit would have kept him from coming back. The US Constitution limits the President's power in so many ways! Our President would never make a public threat against critics or trump up new financial penalties for dissent. Last, our citizens own weapons and that makes it much more difficult to snatch us from our beds in the dark of night.
Robert - 1533687: Sir I strongly disagree.
Over 40,000 new laws were passed last year alone. How many gives American more freedom?
And many thousands more regulations with the force of law, by-passing the constitution, with Czars in control. Where in the Constitution is the Czar position. That is a flexible Russian concept. Just sayin'
Maybe Loki was right in "The Avengers" when he said what people really want is to be ruled and not have freedom. Would explain why people seem to clump around people like Hitler, Khomeni, Putin, George W Bush.
Even got little dictators like Bloomberg in cities trying to ban 20 oz sodas. If you want to be truly free, you need to find ways to avoid other people, like finding an uninhabited island.
Our president has do the same thing with is Liberal controlled house and senate and doubled our nat debt in 4 years
Gee, I wonder what those wars in Afghanistan and Iraq cost us? Do you think those wars Mr. Bush started maybe had something to do with the deficit we are in? And maybe just maybe all those tax cuts for wealthy corporations weren't such a good idea after all. Maybe they have something to do with why we have a deficit. Truth is there would be plenty of money to pay for social programs like SS and Medicare if corporations were actually made to pay up. And stop with the bunk about how the wealthy pay so much more taxes than the rest of us. It's a crock. Many very wealthy corporations and people (which are one in the same according to Mr. Romney) pay little to no taxes at all when they get done finding loopholes and offshore accounts to hide their assests. Just because the law says they should pay so much in taxes does not mean they do. They have so many resources working tirelessly to make sure they don't pay their fair share.
Oh yeah, that's right I forgot about the miracle of trickle down economics. Gee, wasn't it the GOP that all but guaranteed the average working masses that if they just let the rich keep more of their money they'd return it to us in the form of good paying jobs and prosperity for all? Well it didn't happen. What they have done is offshore those good paying jobs at an alarming rate while basically telling the American public to shove it up their a** if they don't like it because they don't need us.
Americans who howl about paying for "your" benefits don't seem to care that "you" or your family paid for them before needing to receive them. Greedy people steal from others but imagine that their victims have stolen from them. Fascinating twist, eh?
All Americans seem to care about anymore is money. Human life is appraised in terms of its corporate profit potential. Low profit potential equals low value. No profit potential (disability) means no value. "Let them die!" is the battle cry of the average American nowadays.
Yes, I am going to say it: Hitler would have loved them!
So true Shandril, even this "discussion" on this board is nothing more than an excuse to show us advertising, so corporations can profit. Freedom of speech, sponsored by Citibank, Google etc.
Don't impose on others your so-called democracy. People in the world don't have to follow your American way. You may have to think about co-existance.
Democracy my ass! The only difference is that the other countries know the good old US of A is full of @!$%#. And they cannot figure out how we Americans can continue to buy such bull@!$%# with such unwavering faith. It must truly amaze them to see just how we can deny reality in an attempt to soothe ourselves that everything will be ok if I just ignore reality and continue to wave the flag and chant the slogans.
Now maybe someone will listen to me, when Obama was caught speaking to the russian ambassador last month without realizing the microphone was on, the words 'tell the prime minister i need some space, i need more space" had nothing to do with needing room, space was code for money. Obama was letting sending a message to Putin that the election is going to be close and he will need more money to win and finish the mission started in 2008 when millions of dollars were funneled into the Obama camp through legit business fronts operated by the russian mob in return for Obama leading the U.S.down the path toward socialism and payback for what Putin and his followers believe was the destruction of their country by Reagan. And worse now, Russia and China have become allies against the U.N.and U.S.and are supporting anti- democracy growth in at least 6 countries. WE ARE IN TROUBLE FOLKS FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
I agree that we are in trouble on the inside. You know what can stop that trouble? A grass roots return to a strict reading of the constitution. If the US made laws, did business, and restricted government to the constitution and our society actually knew what the constitution was and what it says, there would be no one that could subvert the US from within.
It is vary easy ( and vary dangerous ) to see the shadow enemy of subversion in America. It, for some reason seems to be vary hard for us to turn to the light of the constitution. With it, and with a populace truly united behind it, Russia, China or any combination there of would stand no chance at all.
In the end,that is what keeps people like Putin awake at night. The thought that America would actually become ultra united again under a document that would truly bust any tyrannical attempt at subversion.
If your truly worried about the Enemies within, then you have to get up and spread the word about the founding document of our nation. We have forgotten, and it is now time to remember.
If Putin can keep his country undivided or threatened by the so-called "World Police", why not Putinism.
This law is bad. Freedom House is a "tool".
Meh, I agree. It's the same thing that's happening here. When you have a government entity single-handedly telling the working classes that they have no right to form unions to bargain collectively for their betterment while that same goverment freely enjoys that very same benefit, it is tyranny. And don't give me that bull about how big business or congress isn't unionized because if you believe that you are an idiot of the highest order. Unionization merely means to be organized into a single entity seeking a common purpose. You had better believe big business is organized to keep power in their control and prevent working people from harnessing those same tactics to improve their lot in life.
If you don't think strong unions are good for working people just explain why ruling classes of despotic countries make it a priority to torture and kill anyone who even dares discuss unions with the common workers? Why would they fear and hate unions so much if they weren't instrumental in leveling the playing field between corporate interests and naked greed and the interests of the common worker?
Since unions have lost power in the US, wages and working conditions for the average worker have flatlined and in many cases declined significantly. Unchecked power is never a good thing for those not in the moneyed class.
Screw the unions, they cost us too much money, just hire illegals for $2 an hour and maximize profit.
Did anyone really expect anything different from Putin?.
Guarantees of government accountability and transparency. Where have I heard that before? Oh yes...Obama in 2008. Still haven't seen it in practice though...in fact, I have seen mostly the opposite...more like Putinism. Like Obama said..."wait until after my re-election and I will give Vlademir what he wants." (paraphrase)
Since when does voting make everything accountable? Not in this country, it does not.
"Putinization"?????
Does this mean that Europeans will no longer be able to fart but will have to poot instead? How gentile of them.
Don't be surprised if you see a military takeover in Greece, as early as a few months from now. It depends how their money situation plays out, but there is a high probability that they will default within the next several weeks. If they vote in inept leaders, a distinct possibility, combined with running out of money (and handing out IOU's to governmental employees), there will be protests that could turn into rioting/anarchy. If the police get overwhelmed, the military will step in. If the political leaders are clueless/inept, the military may see the need for 'interim' military leadership...
Jay,
This could happen in varying degrees worldwide as the capitalistic global economy continues to crumble around us. People get too hungry or feel too oppressed they take to the streets.
Space Captain, I agree. Take away our better technology and it feels like we are re-living the 1930's...
soon it will be "Obamanization" that will be happening here in the U.S.A, if he wins the next election he will alter the constitution allowing himself to become president for life, am I paranoid?? absolutely!! scared sh$tless would be more closer to the truth! Obama has been carefully crafting the nation for a political takeover for his marxist regime and his government sponsored "pravda" and it wont be like living in europe it will be more along the lines of Chavez's south american dictatorship, folks need to wake up and see whats on the horizon for this great country of ours and say enough is enough.
It ain't Obama that's the problem. It's people like you with your paranoid reichwing imagination that are the danger. Of course you really don't believe all that crap that you wrote, it's just being posted as an anti-Obama whammer.
you'll see
Obama has been carefully crafting the nation for a political takeover for his marxist regime
The truth is that nobody knew we had a coup........
back when the Kennedys got shot. Larry Flint, of all people, published the goods on the assasination and they shot him too. His publication has neatly disappeared off the face of the earth and few even know about it. They got away with all that and baby boy locked it in with a flase flag 9/11 and the Patriot Act. See, I'm just as paranoid as you, but with a little more sense about it from my perspective. None of that which I mentioned was a "commie" plot. Try fascist. Try New World Order.
agreed, the world was amazed at how fast Hitler's regime managed to gain control over Germany in the late 30's, with the technology that is available now it will happen a lot quicker, either way marxist, facist, N.W.O none of what is coming is good.
Pretty typical and pretty sad- no one trusts the government, but those actually in charge have so successfully polarized the nation that no unity in opposition is possible. I contend that the takeover is over and done with- and that in the face of the technologies available, there's little chance of taking it back.
Putin is our friend and we need to keep him happy or else.
Now that fascism is becoming firmly entrenched in America I wont blame Putin in the least for whatever measures he takes in the near future in dealing with the rabid ruling class that lives in this country today whether they reside on Wall Street or in Washington D.C. or anywhere else in this country. Furthermore the American people themselves are to blame for the rise of fascism in this country and when the time comes (and surely it is coming along) I wont blame Putin for whatever buttons he presses. Lets get right to this as soon as possible. Maybe sending this world (especially America) back 10,000 years will be for the best.
You have your buttons confused.
That's not a reset button- it's the one that detonates a pound of Zymex over the hard drive and kills not just the computer but the user, their residence, and everyone in it.
Look...all the easily accessible minerals that could reboot a machine-tool culture are long gone.
It takes sophisticated technologies to reach what's left- and if we don't get off this planet and at least establish islands of civilization in the Lagrange points or the asteroids, we're extinct in the event of a full scale atomic exchange.
You may think ruins would offer easy access to metals and so on- but most major concentrations would be deadly isotopes with long half-lives, locked under the glowing lakes of radioactive glass which used to be major cities.
Simple corrosion would do away with the rest of it, and lethally- it's what happened to the Norse culture in Greenland.
They ran out of bog iron, and lost the tools and weapons required to sustain their culture- which promptly collapsed, killing most over the course of two generations.
What's so hard to follow here? Nuclear warfare is a scenario we need to avert at all costs- because it costs all.
No more sapients down the gravity well- and quite possibly, no chordate life at all.