Recently I read an article ([here, in Croatian](https://www.telegram.hr/politika-kriminal/genijalna-drzava-madari-nakon-potresa-svojim-novcem-krenuli-obnavljati-ovu-skolu-u-petrinji-nasa-birokracija-ih-dokrajcila-pa-evo-odustaju/)) about the Hungarian donation of a few million euros to a school in Petrinja, Croatia. Except for the fact that there was a disastrous earthquake a few years ago and it’s a friendly sign of help, I cannot understand why the Hungarian government would donate any money there. Hungarians don’t really live there (if any, it’s well under 1%) and I see no cultural ties to Hungary.

And I know that I’ve already read about similar donations from Hungary to Serbia (probably mostly Vojvodina) and Bosnia. I can assume that it’s also going to Romania and Slovakia.

Now… why exactly is this so? No disrespect, but Hungary isn’t exactly a very wealthy country to be donating such money. Even a few million euros don’t make sense to me, as they could be spent better in Hungary than here or anywhere around. To be honest, Croatia does give some donations to the “Croatian” part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it doesn’t seem nearly as much as you do.

by tomi_tomi

10 comments

  1. Corruption and thus money. They (edit by they i mean fidesz) are trying to transfer their money and influence outside while every project they do creates tons of opportunities to cheat the system and steal more.

  2. Some form of money laundering / corruption by the hungarian government. Dont worry about it.

  3. Because of Orbán’s political goal: it’s about either votes (Transylvania) or simply about some later financial benefits (I assume this Croatian donation falls into this).

  4. they donate the tax payers money and then the beneficiary hires the “right” (wink wink wink) contractors for realizing the (ofc. overpriced) project so the cash can flow back to the intended pockets. The simplest way to privatize/embezzle public money.

  5. As you said, there was an earthquake. Several countries offered help, and part of the Hungarian aid was building this elementary school.

    Countries usually offer help to each other after such catastrophes.

  6. There are two government decisions on the topic: [1253/2021. (V. 11.) Korm. határozat](https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2021-1253-30-22) about financially supporting the reconstruction of this school and a church in žažina after the earth quake, as part of the [Hungary Helps Program](https://hungaryhelps.gov.hu/hungary-helps-program-main-page/). For this some eur 25M was allocated.

    And the other is [1186/2023. (V. 9.) Korm. határozat](https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2023-1186-30-22) where they decided that they support the construction of a new church instead of reconstructing the žažina one and cut the funding for the school reconstruction project. For this some eur 2M more was allocated.

    The Hungary Helps Program is a tool of solidarity with christian communities around the world – so they help because we are a christian country [at least on paper] and showing this with acts instead of words is somehow important for the government (i.e. looks good in the news).

  7. Ah, it’s just government elite humour, you wouldn’t get it. The punchline is the Hungarian taxpayer who is left with crumbling schools.

  8. Fidesz, the Hungarian government is corrupt.

    They have Croatian allies in the European Parlament;
    • Croatian Sovereignists – HS (ECR)
    • Homeland Movement – DP
    • The Key of Croatia – KH

    If I had to guess, that is some kind of way to pay for a favor.

    The Adriatic LNG terminal and Croatian gas and oil pipelines become important for the country’s energy security after the war as well.

  9. In short: they (fidesz) are quite literally buying election votes with tax money.

  10. Meanwhile in Hungary some schools begging for donations for chairs and desks…

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