THE MARK OF THE "COLOUR REVOLUTION"

Individual countries of the European Union continue to be shaken by protests. Basically, they have the nature of discontent with the ongoing social measures and austerity policies. The latest developments in Hungary, which has been shaken by protests in the spirit of "colour revolutions", should be considered separately.

When the Hungarian government initiated a tax on the Internet, obliging users to pay 150 forints (0.6 dollars) for each gigabyte of traffic, it probably did not anticipate the consequences of a political nature this measure within the framework of the "struggle to compensate for the budget deficit" would result in. Of course, anticipating the dissatisfaction of some part of Hungarian society, which actively uses online services and therefore, reasonably opposes the government bill, was not so difficult. And the cabinet of Prime Minister Viktor Orban certainly considered this likelihood following the submission of the unpopular bill. But they did not seem to expect that things would not be confined to protests only.

The protests in Hungary quickly acquired a pronounced political nature. The demonstrators did not limit themselves to demands for the abolition of the Internet excise and began to voice calls for the resignation of the government. The government was accused of "corruption" and "dictatorial management practices". Posters in the hands of the demonstrators called the Orban cabinet "the most terrible tyranny" and a "mafia government". The number one slogan was "Orban, disappear".

Meanwhile, while analyzing the events in Hungary it is difficult to escape the feeling that "we've already seen it somewhere before". The similarity between the protests in Budapest and the events that have swept through several Eastern European countries over the last decade seem too obvious. First of all, what is striking is the identity of political technologies concerning the use of social networks to gather "protesters", which is typical of all "colour revolutions", coordination between them, the scathing nature of uniformity of slogans and sudden switch from social and economic demands to political ones. In addition, such protests are promptly supported by the United States and the European Union. For example, before the protests in Hungary even started, Washington banned the entry of six citizens of this country close to the Hungarian prime minister into the United States. Among them is the head of Hungary's tax service, Ildiko Vida, who had a direct relation to the bill on the Internet excise.

Unconditional support for protesters in Hungary was expressed by Brussels. European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes did not even deny herself the pleasure to intervene directly in the internal affairs of Hungary not only by supporting the street protests in Budapest, but also by calling "those who have not joined them yet" to do so.

The main reason why the West rejects the Hungarian government is that it is "corrupt". But for some reason the "corrupt nature", as well as the "tyranny" of the Hungarian cabinet and its leader is mentioned only now, in the fourth year of the second Orban government (Viktor Orban was prime minister in 1998-2002 and took charge of the government again in 2010). An analogy arises with the deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, of whose corruption the United States and the European Union spoke only after he refused to sign the Association Agreement. This means that the sham or reasonable accusations of "tyranny" and "corruption" put forward by the West are just an excuse for providing political, information and financial support for protests aimed at toppling a disagreeable government.

But why are Washington and Brussels not pleased with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban? Apparently, there is a whole set of reasons qualified by the West as the refusal of the Orban cabinet to obey and act in accordance with the neoliberal strategy of Euro-Atlanticism. For example, the Orban government imposed restrictions on the work of foreign companies in Hungary and approved a draft constitution in which there is no room for new liberal directives. Suffice it to say that Viktor Orban is a father of five, has a reputation for being a respectable family man and strongly rejects any attempt to impose same-sex cohabitation on Hungarians as "the bonds of marriage".

The uncertain foreign policy moves of Budapest also cause no less resentment in Washington and Brussels. For example, Hungary is trying to pursue an independent game in the Ukrainian direction, not wanting to spoil relations with Moscow over Kiev. It is indicative that the new Hungarian ambassador in Kiev is Erno Keskeny, who previously worked as head of the diplomatic mission in Moscow and is known as a supporter of strengthening relations between Hungary and Russia.

Viktor Orban flayed EU economic sanctions against Russia, calling them meaningless and damaging not so much to the Russian Federation as to EU countries. Moreover, he demanded that Brussels compensate Hungarian producers for the losses they sustain from suspending cooperation with Russia. Neither did the United States and the European Union like Orban's statements about his intention to find allies among European countries to oppose new sanctions against Russia.

A separate issue is energy cooperation between Budapest and Moscow. Hungary expressed readiness to expand cooperation with the Russian monopolist Gazprom and participate in the South Stream project. The South Stream gas pipeline project being implemented by Gazprom is intended to provide Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia and Austria with gas that will be transported across the Black Sea bypassing Ukraine.

In early November, the Hungarian parliament approved the corresponding bill. The European Union, which is trying to block the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline, demanded that Budapest cancel its decision. In response, the speaker of the Hungarian parliament, Laszlo Kover, threatened with the country's possible withdrawal from the European Union. And almost immediately after that, the streets of Hungarian cities became engulfed in protests, while Washington and Brussels began to criticize the current Hungarian leadership.

The Hungarian prime minister particularly complained of pressure from the United States. According to Viktor Orban, Washington considers the position of Budapest "a rapprochement with Russia", but in reality it is not so: Hungary "does not want to get closer to anyone or get away from anyone". "It is not a policy in the interests of Russia, it is a policy in the interests of Hungary," Orban said.

The Hungarian prime minister explained his position as follows: the South Stream will allow the country to receive gas, bypassing the risks associated with the market situation in Ukraine, and will diversify fuel supply routes.

Meanwhile, there is another aspect of Western discontent - Budapest agreed with Moscow on the completion of the only Hungarian nuclear power plant Paks. Budapest cites the fact that the nuclear power plant was created using Russian technology, and therefore, it can be completed only in cooperation with Moscow.

However, the arguments of Budapest failed to soften the US and EU position. Apparently, the pressure on the Orban government was so serious that it was forced to give up some of its initial decisions. The Orban cabinet, heeding the demands of protesters, decided to withdraw the bill on the Internet excise. But what is much more important for the US and the EU is that the Hungarian leadership made it clear that from now on it will not block new sanctions against Russia. In addition, Budapest decided to resume reverse gas supplies to Ukraine terminated by the Hungarian government in September this year.

Hungary, however, remained steadfast in its desire to participate in the South Stream project. The position of Budapest was confirmed during the visit of Hungarian President Janos Ader to Bulgaria - another member of the project. The Hungarian prime minister made the following statement in Sofia: "Safe supplies of natural gas to Europe create a predictable environment for investors and reduce the vulnerability of national economies during crises, which is a priority for both Bulgaria and Hungary."

Meanwhile, Hungary reaffirms its commitment to the diversification of energy supply routes to Europe. This is confirmed by the results of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Hungary where he expressed confidence that Budapest will be an important partner in the Southern Gas Corridor project. This project, according to the head of the Azerbaijani state, will "completely redraw the energy map of Europe".

Azerbaijan and Hungary signed a declaration on strategic partnership - a document that leaves no doubt about the determination of both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation. In any case, Ilham Aliyev's visit to Hungary was a milestone not only in the energy context. The partnership between Baku and Budapest is also valuable in the sense that it connects the two countries with bonds of friendship as they adamantly defend their right to conduct an independent policy in accordance with their national interests.

Overall, the experience of recent events in Hungary shows that the EU is facing a serious problem like ensuring the compliance of European policy with the interests of individual countries. The desire not only of the Hungarian leaders, but also, for example, of the Czech President Milos Zeman and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to conduct an independent policy faces serious opposition from Brussels. The latter relies on the support of Washington, which consistently demonstrates its absolute leadership in the Euro-Atlantic area. This factor manifests itself in the blatant attempt to stage a "colour revolution" in Hungary - one of the most significant countries of Eastern and Central Europe in political and economic terms.

FIRSTHAND 

"I am sure that Hungary does not need any advice. You have a very dynamic and effective government that received great support from the population. The recent elections also demonstrated once again that the policy conducted by Prime Minister Viktor Orban is based on national interests and supported by the majority of the population. Therefore, you are on the right track, and we, as your friends, can only congratulate you and your government on the huge success that has been achieved. Your country has now become a symbol of the countries that conduct an independent policy based on national interests, and it is a high priority for your government and for our government. There are a lot of similarities between us, and perhaps this similarity unites us."

From the interview of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev 

with Hungarian national television