Hungary may be in the EU, but its leader believes his country should be more like Putin’s Russia

Locked in conflict with the European Union since he took office in 2010, the country’s populist right-wing prime minister openly believes Hungary should no longer model itself on the liberal democracies of Western Europe.

It should emulate “illiberal” countries such as Singapore, China and Russia instead, he said late last month. Last week, he condemned EU sanctions against Moscow over its stoking of military conflict in Ukraine.

Such criticism has horrified educated, urban Hungarians like Marcsi, a young blond woman who, like her companions, asked that her surname not be published.

He also launched an investigation into foreign-funded nonprofit organizations. The probe’s targets say it’s designed to threaten their autonomy.

http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20140818/hungary-may-be-in-the-eu-but-its-leader-believes-his-country-should-be-more-like-putins-russia