著者

荻野 晃

出版者

関西学院大学

雑誌

法と政治 (ISSN:02880709)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.58, no.2, pp.492-454, 2007-07

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The aim of this paper is to examine the background of the 2006 riots in Hungary. This paper is focused on the process of Hungary's accession to the European Union (EU) and the rise of nationalism. Hungarian socialist and liberal leaders promoted Hungary's joining of the EU. EU accession of Central and Eastern European countries means the 'return to Europe', which accepts democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights, protection of minorities and a market economy. After the regime change in 1989, they tried to restrain crude nationalism, which resulted from economic discontent and deteriorated relations with neighboring countries, where Hungarian minorities live. The Hungarian Government carried out economic reform to transform into a market economy, and put the public sector under private management. As a result, the reform brought about a high percentage of unemployment and a decrease in social security. Moreover, Hungary had to set its finances in order by cutting down expenses to adopt the Euro currency. Hungary's budget deficit is the biggest in the EU. The socialist Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany made a slip of the tongue in May 2006, which came to light in September. He said that the Government had lied "morning, noon and night" about the problems facing the country to win the general election in April. The opposition party leaders and angry Hungarian citizens got together in front of the Parliament building, and protested against Gyurcsany. They demanded him to resign as the Prime Minister. Riots broke out on 18 September and on 23 October, in which 800 police and rioters were injured. October 23 was the 50^<th> anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The riots were caused by far-right radicals, who were skeptical about European integration and hostile to the socialist and liberal leaders. In spite of joining the EU, Hungary is in a difficult situation. The author analyses why European integration caused the rise of nationalism. This paper consists of following sections: 1. Introduction 2. What was the regime change in 1989? 3. EU Accession and Nationalism 4. Hungary in 2006 5. Conclusion