Russian Energy Syringe in Hungary

Martin Bauer
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read
Russian President Putin with Hungarian Prime Minister Orban (Telegraph)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s pro-Kremlin position is dictated by economic alignment with the Kremlin. Former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany hooked Hungary onto the Russian energy syringe by signing the South Stream agreement in Moscow. Orban has realized that a partnership with Putin can bring significant personal benefits. He has been unrelenting in pushing Putin’s favorite energy projects: pipelines and nuclear power. During Orban’s tenure Hungary has become one of the gateways for Russian intelligence operations in the EU.

Moscow has reciprocated, state owned RT regularly runs articles defending Orban against Western criticism. He enjoys friendly press conferences with Putin. Oligarchs affiliated with Orban get special access in Russia. Ultra-nationalists in Hungary are tamed by Putin to support Orban. Outright corruption of Orban by Putin hasn’t been proven but has been widely implied.

Putin is an efficient puppet master. A time tested KGB practice is to invest into elites instead of the country. The end result is that both the puppet regime and Moscow prosper at the expense of the populace.

Hungary once had a dynamic economy and living standards were rising fast. Under Orban the economy has stalled and the prospects for growth are bleak. Instead of courting Brussels, Orban is alienating the EU. Brussels doles out billions of structural subsidies for development but Orban’s actions ensure that his country gets as little as possible. This will have an adverse impact on several generations because structural investment fosters long term growth.

Even if Orban is replaced, he has created enough economic incentives for his successor to align with Russia. The new Hungarian Prime Minister will be tempted to get hooked on the Russian energy syringe.

Martin Bauer

Written by

Biased opinion writer exposing the shenanigans of Putin’s fifth column in the heart of Europe.

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