Global confrontation could bring about demise of EU, says Speaker of Hungarian Parliament
On one side, there are those that think democracy built on unlimited freedom can exist. On the other side, there are those that think democracy can be built only on the balance of order and freedom, said Kövér. He stressed that democracy cannot go counter to the will of the majority, but it seems that this will be the trend now in Europe.
Kövér labelled the future of the European Union as questionable, saying that
I wouldn't dare wager a lot money that there will still be a European Union in 2030.
Non of the different risk scenarios analysts have been drawing up recently include one that projects the disintegration of the EU. What did begin to show up as a potential scenario, however, is that Hungary might opt out of the bloc. This year, Saxo Bank has included Hungary in its 10 Outrageous Predictions for 2020 (low-probability but high-impact scenarios), forecasting a collapse of the forint to EURHUF 375, and the country leaving the EU. Saxo Bank noted the 15-year marriage seemed to be in trouble after the EU initiated an Article 7 procedure against the country, citing Hungary’s – or really PM Orbán’s — ever-tighter restrictions on free media, judges, academics, minorities and rights groups, which in the opinion of the EU does not conform with the rule of law, weakens democracy and does not conform with EU values.
In respect of the EU's future, the main issue is not whether or not it will cease to exist, rather than which countries will be inside and outside the bloc. Russian President Vladimir Putin, for instance, thinks that around 2028 some Eastern European countries will reach a level of development where they will no longer receive subsidies and different grants from the EU budget. Instead they will be net contributors such as the UK, and then they could choose to exit the community.
Cover photo: Getty Images
