PM Lashes Out at EU; Almost Uses Curse Words

The ongoing standoff between Hungary and the European Union over the new EU member's gaping budget deficits may be about to turn much uglier, with the publication in the Financial Times today (possibly subscriber only) of some stunningly undiplomatic comments by Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány. Responding to threats by EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquín Almunia last week that the EU might hold back the flood of free eurocash unless Hungary starts getting its shit together pronto, Gyurcsány (right) shot back with this rather incredible outburst:

Hungarians' living standards are much lower than the European average. What the hell would Europe like to have from us?

More incredible still was the follow-up by Economy Minister János Kóka, which came across, at least in English, sounding like the kind of vague threat offered by burly bald men to downtown Budapest nightclubs. "Brussels would be on a totally wrong track if they thought about stopping the transfers to Hungary from which we are building highways, airports, et cetera."

No response yet from the EU, but just in case Gyurcsány actually wants to know, Almunia and the other adults on the EU's economics team just want Hungary to do what some of the region's even poorer countries are doing, namely refrain from artificially pumping up its economy with loads of borrowed money that it will later have to pay back with interest. That, and shut the hell up.