The Hungarian government is not doing anything to combat an anti-Semitic political party, according to the leader of Hungary’s Jewish community.
The government’s silence on the activities of the Hungarian Justice and Life Party, known as MIEP, is connected with the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, Peter Tordai said.
The ruling government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban may be toning down its criticism of the far-right group because it wants to maintain its hold on power in the elections, scheduled for next spring,
Orban’s party, the Young Democrats, is in a battle with the Socialists in the campaign. While it is unlikely to form a government with Hungarian Justice and Life because it fears criticism from the European community, some observers believe the conservative party will count on the unofficial support of the right-wing MIEP to form a ruling coalition.
At the same time, Tordai praised the Lutheran Church for condemning the latest anti-Semitic outburst by one of its priests, who also is a MIEP legislator.
Tordai said he hopes the leaders of other Christian groups in Hungary will speak out against racism and anti- Semitism.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
