Orban Scrambles as Emergency Rule Sparks Backlash, Sell-Off
- Currency sell-off and rebuke from EU members prompts backpedal
- Few ways exist to decisively rein in leaders flouting EU norms
Viktor Orban
Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is backpedaling to stem the sell-off of his virus-battered currency and respond to a rare rebuke from the European Union’s most powerful members.
After he took total control of his country this week, he’s facing a backlash against what’s perceived as a power grab made under the cover of the Covid-19 crisis. Half of the EU governments urged Orban to respect the rule-of-law while the EU’s largest political group again revived calls to expel his party.