LMP (“Politics can be different”), a member of the European Green political family, achieved 7.43% in yesterday’s Hungarian elections, which is set to secure the party’s first seats in the Hungarian parliament.
Greens/EFA Co-Presidents Rebecca Harms and Dany Cohn-Bendit commented:
“We welcome the great success by Green party LMP and warmly congratulate our Hungarian friends on their entry into parliament. This election result is a reassuring sign that Green politics are gaining ground in Central and Eastern Europe and that environmental parties are continuing to earn a permanent place in the political spectrum. This was the best result for a Green party in any of the former Communist Central and Eastern European countries.
Hungary has set itself a difficult path. The victory of neoliberal Viktor Orban, compounded by the unwelcome rise of Hungary’s racist and anti-Semitic far right, will give Europe a headache in the coming years. This result leaves the Greens’ success as the election’s only silver lining. We hope that the Green wave of success continues at Czech elections in May.”
Brussels, 12 April 2010
Editor’s note: Much of the funds to wage the “Green” campaign during the final two weeks came from Lancaster sources. McCaskey class of 1984 graduate and real estate developer Richard Field, a long time Hungarian resident, prominently appeared in all forms of media during the two week period prior to the election denouncing the far right wing party that polls showed with as much as 30% of the support as “neo-fascist”, which they are, and supporting the “Green” party.
The neo fascists , who favor expulsion of Romas (Gypsies) and others from Hungary, ended up with half of what they had been polling, with their lost support split equally between the new “Green” party and the center-conservative party which ended up with a majority of 52% of the vote.
Sometimes one credible person speaking up and an infusion of financial support can make a big difference. People want to do the right thing but must be made aware of what is actually taking place. Neither Hungary or Lancaster are exceptions.
Thank you for sharing your courageous open letter. I hope it will make an impact.
Now be careful! Fascists are killers.