Tuesday 17 January 2012

Hungary's downfall

In all the debate about whether an independent Scotland would be part of the EU, it is worth looking at what is currently happening to EU (but non-Eurozone) member Hungary. Its credit rating was downgraded to junk status at the end of last year over fears of mounting debt and sluggish growth. Its currency is now at an all-time low against the Euro. Now the European Commission has started legal proceedings against Hungary over what it perceives as undemocratic decisions taken by Hungary's government which, among other things, threaten the political neutrality of Hungary's central bank.

The problem, as Calton sees it, is that an unelected commission is trying to force a democratically elected government (with a 2/3rds majority) to change its legislation, with the threat of economic sanctions if it does not do so. Now, in this instance, Calton happens to agree with the European Commission's concerns, however the principle remains - should an undemocratic institution interfere in the affairs of a sovereign nation? Is this really what Alex Salmond wants for Scotland?

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