RULE OF LAW : HUNGARY'S GOVERNMENT VEHEMENTLY REJECTS MEPS' RECOMMENDATIONS.

By adopting, on 5 July, a political resolution against MEPs' recommendations on the rule of law in Hungary, the Hungarian parliament has sent a strong political message to its citizens: in the run-up to the 2014 elections, Viktor Orban and his government are in control - supported by an assembly in which two out of three representatives are members of the ruling Fidesz party. This method could work within the country, which will vote in 2014, since Fidesz is currently dominating opinion polls - although 46% remain undecided. However, certain analysts say Hungary will continue to isolate itself both politically and economically.

"There will no doubt be economic consequences: it will be more difficult and more expensive for the country to finance itself on the market, and the currency will be weakened," said Peter Rona, a Hungarian economist who teaches at Oxford University, on the private Hungarian TV channel ATV. "The biggest problem is the lack of confidence in Hungary - and this is very serious."

While the EP is concerned over an autocratic...