A politician s recent acclaims for Hitler have sparked a general outcry. He belongs to a political party which considers itself both European and democratic, and which has delegates in the European Parliament. Is Brussels silence the result of faint-heartedness, or have they decided not to distance themselves from the case because they agree?

A European mayor was heard praising Hitler at a recent municipal meeting. He said: „In 1936 or 1937, Time magazine chose Hitler as Person of the Year. Did he deserve it? He did, because his work up to that point has basically led to the spectacular rise of Germany.”

V4NA asked the European Parliament s president in a letter whether he finds it acceptable for a mayor and politician of a European party, which considers itself democratic, to voice his admiration for Hitler. Besides, the party representative is also a sitting MEP. We wanted to know what he thinks about it and we inquired why Brussels was silent about the case: out of sheer cowardice or because they also believe that Hitler – a man responsible for genocide – was indeed a great person.

The Hitler-praising politician, Imre Laszlo, was elected mayor in Budapest s 11th district as a member of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) party, whic is headed by Hungary s failed former premier, Ferenc Gyurcsany. DK also has another MEP in Brussels, Mr Gyurcsany s wife.