1/
One more 'oldie but goodie' from Orban-land, this time less of a rule-of-law gem but more a tale of fidesz' pathological urge to lie, and you may take note of the sheer fear palpable in the players' actions all along the chain of events.
Here comes: 'The President's PhD'
One more 'oldie but goodie' from Orban-land, this time less of a rule-of-law gem but more a tale of fidesz' pathological urge to lie, and you may take note of the sheer fear palpable in the players' actions all along the chain of events.
Here comes: 'The President's PhD'
2/
A foreword: Hungary's president Pal Schmitt had been an olympic gold medalist in fencing; a true nihilist in politics with no views whatsoever and the mere desire to get some important role. Orban personally chose him as president for his relative popularity as a sportsman
A foreword: Hungary's president Pal Schmitt had been an olympic gold medalist in fencing; a true nihilist in politics with no views whatsoever and the mere desire to get some important role. Orban personally chose him as president for his relative popularity as a sportsman
3/
and his ignorance, leading to Schmitt indeed singning into law every single Orban-notion which carpet bombed Hungary's democratic institutions and carved state capture into stone. As president, he did not even attempt to show any trace of own will.
and his ignorance, leading to Schmitt indeed singning into law every single Orban-notion which carpet bombed Hungary's democratic institutions and carved state capture into stone. As president, he did not even attempt to show any trace of own will.
4/
This is the story of how Schmitt he lost his job at the end of a highly absurd chain of events, for having faked his PhD thesis, however not before doing a host of collateral damage to a great many accomplished individuals and institutions.
This is the story of how Schmitt he lost his job at the end of a highly absurd chain of events, for having faked his PhD thesis, however not before doing a host of collateral damage to a great many accomplished individuals and institutions.
5/
Now, in January 2012, an online portal revealed that some 180 pages, out of 215 in total, in the president’s PhD thesis are word-by-word translations of a Bulgarian researcher, Nikolai Georgiev’s earlier work.
Now, in January 2012, an online portal revealed that some 180 pages, out of 215 in total, in the president’s PhD thesis are word-by-word translations of a Bulgarian researcher, Nikolai Georgiev’s earlier work.
5/
Photos were shown in the press from both their works evidencing page-after-page word-by-word identity.
As a first reaction, it was promptly forbidden to photocopy or photograph the only publicly available copy of the president’s thesis.
The reason: copyright regulations.
Photos were shown in the press from both their works evidencing page-after-page word-by-word identity.
As a first reaction, it was promptly forbidden to photocopy or photograph the only publicly available copy of the president’s thesis.
The reason: copyright regulations.
6/
Consequently, journalists were given limited timeframes in which to inspect the thesis, whereby they were allowed to make handwritten notes but were constantly controlled by two employees of the archive so as to prevent any photographing.
Consequently, journalists were given limited timeframes in which to inspect the thesis, whereby they were allowed to make handwritten notes but were constantly controlled by two employees of the archive so as to prevent any photographing.
7/
State and fidesz-media immediately put the ‘attack’ on the president into the larger context of a grand assault against Hungary on behalf of the ‘global financial sharks’ and political forces that wished to crush Hungary’s ‘freedom fight’.
State and fidesz-media immediately put the ‘attack’ on the president into the larger context of a grand assault against Hungary on behalf of the ‘global financial sharks’ and political forces that wished to crush Hungary’s ‘freedom fight’.
8/
The president’s office and state media initially pointed on the excellent final grades which the thesis received back in 1992.
The line of argument was: ‘if such eminent professors rated the thesis summa cum laude, then how dare some journalists question the quality of it’.
The president’s office and state media initially pointed on the excellent final grades which the thesis received back in 1992.
The line of argument was: ‘if such eminent professors rated the thesis summa cum laude, then how dare some journalists question the quality of it’.
9/
...conveniently ignoring that it was not the quality but the genuity that was called into question.
Also, they implied that Schmitt complied with the rules by mentioning the Bulgarian researcher as one of his sources at the end of his book.
...conveniently ignoring that it was not the quality but the genuity that was called into question.
Also, they implied that Schmitt complied with the rules by mentioning the Bulgarian researcher as one of his sources at the end of his book.
10/
When that proved insufficient, the president’s office declared that in fact he had worked together for many years with Georgiev, implying that the 180 identical pages are actually the product of joint research.
When that proved insufficient, the president’s office declared that in fact he had worked together for many years with Georgiev, implying that the 180 identical pages are actually the product of joint research.
11/
However, independent media found the daughter of Mr. Georgiev (who passed away in 2004), who stated she had never heard of Schmitt and firmly ruled out that her father had ever collaborated with him.
However, independent media found the daughter of Mr. Georgiev (who passed away in 2004), who stated she had never heard of Schmitt and firmly ruled out that her father had ever collaborated with him.
12/
With this story refuted, Schmitt explained that the 180 pages were actually the factual basis / core material of his thesis, which ‘obviously’ contained nothing new; it is rather the conclusions part (i.e. the other 35 pages) which constitute the real value of his thesis.
With this story refuted, Schmitt explained that the 180 pages were actually the factual basis / core material of his thesis, which ‘obviously’ contained nothing new; it is rather the conclusions part (i.e. the other 35 pages) which constitute the real value of his thesis.
13/
Independent media however found out that 17 pages of this concluding part are a word-by-word translations from another researcher’s, Klaus Heinemann’s work.
Mr. Heinemann promptly denied any relation to, let alone collaboration with Pal Schmitt.
Independent media however found out that 17 pages of this concluding part are a word-by-word translations from another researcher’s, Klaus Heinemann’s work.
Mr. Heinemann promptly denied any relation to, let alone collaboration with Pal Schmitt.
14/
So... what to do with such uncomfortable facts?
The university which had issued the PhD diploma first stated that it had no reason to doubt the validity of its judgement back in 1992. Then it decided to set up a fact-finding commission to investigate the president’s thesis.
So... what to do with such uncomfortable facts?
The university which had issued the PhD diploma first stated that it had no reason to doubt the validity of its judgement back in 1992. Then it decided to set up a fact-finding commission to investigate the president’s thesis.
15/
This proved difficult however, because the university was unable to find any participants for the commission.
All researchers who were asked to take part, declined.
Finally, the commission was formed with *anonymous* members (notice the fear...?)
This proved difficult however, because the university was unable to find any participants for the commission.
All researchers who were asked to take part, declined.
Finally, the commission was formed with *anonymous* members (notice the fear...?)
16/
Its conclusions were:
- Pal Schmitt's thesis meets the formal requirements which were in effect at the time of its making
- this despite it containing an ‘unusually high proportion of text identity with previously published texts'
Its conclusions were:
- Pal Schmitt's thesis meets the formal requirements which were in effect at the time of its making
- this despite it containing an ‘unusually high proportion of text identity with previously published texts'
17/
- Which, however, is not Schmitt’s fault, but rather his opponents’ and consultant’s fault who failed to spot the identity
- No wrongdoing by Schmitt given that his attention had not been raised by the university on the importance of correct referencing,
- Which, however, is not Schmitt’s fault, but rather his opponents’ and consultant’s fault who failed to spot the identity
- No wrongdoing by Schmitt given that his attention had not been raised by the university on the importance of correct referencing,
18/
therefore Pal Schmitt ‘could be rightfully in the belief that his conduct is flawless’
(spot the beautiful absurdity and the fear behind - again, we're talking about 180 pages of word-by-word translation of another published research piece)
therefore Pal Schmitt ‘could be rightfully in the belief that his conduct is flawless’
(spot the beautiful absurdity and the fear behind - again, we're talking about 180 pages of word-by-word translation of another published research piece)
19/
The president and Fidesz reacted positively to the findings and declared the whole issue closed for good.
Public pressure continued to mount however, with observers pointing to the conclusion that, after all, more than 90% had been found to be identical with other works.
The president and Fidesz reacted positively to the findings and declared the whole issue closed for good.
Public pressure continued to mount however, with observers pointing to the conclusion that, after all, more than 90% had been found to be identical with other works.
20/
So a dispute began between the university and the ministry of education on who would be entitled to decide on stripping the president of his doctor title, with both firmly declaring themselves ‘not authorized’.
So a dispute began between the university and the ministry of education on who would be entitled to decide on stripping the president of his doctor title, with both firmly declaring themselves ‘not authorized’.
21/
Finally, after much back and forth, on March 29, professor Tivadar Tulassay, rector of the university - and known to have strong right-wing affiliations - announced that the president’s title shall be revoked.
Finally, after much back and forth, on March 29, professor Tivadar Tulassay, rector of the university - and known to have strong right-wing affiliations - announced that the president’s title shall be revoked.
22/
The president reacted with an interview on state TV, stating, that:
- he continues to see his thesis as ‘honest, manly work’
- he sees it as unfair that the commission made its decision without asking him (later it transpired that they did consult him)
The president reacted with an interview on state TV, stating, that:
- he continues to see his thesis as ‘honest, manly work’
- he sees it as unfair that the commission made its decision without asking him (later it transpired that they did consult him)
23/
- at the time he wrote it, it was common that sources were only listed at the end (later it became known that Schmitt had been the only one among his peers in 1992 whose work did not contain proper referencing)
- he’s not going to sue for his title
- at the time he wrote it, it was common that sources were only listed at the end (later it became known that Schmitt had been the only one among his peers in 1992 whose work did not contain proper referencing)
- he’s not going to sue for his title
24/
Orban said that by virtue of the constitution, the president is untouchable, therefore the question in itself (i.e. whether Schmitt should resign) is inappropriate.
Orban said that by virtue of the constitution, the president is untouchable, therefore the question in itself (i.e. whether Schmitt should resign) is inappropriate.
25/
He added that what’s most important for him in all cases is the country’s interest; and that is 'to have at all times a leader who is untouchable’.
Seriously, that's what he said.
He added that what’s most important for him in all cases is the country’s interest; and that is 'to have at all times a leader who is untouchable’.
Seriously, that's what he said.
26/
On April 1 came another interview with Pal Schmitt, who confirmed his unwillingness to resign.
He blamed his political opponents for undermining the respect for the office of the president and for giving Hungary a bad name abroad. He added:
On April 1 came another interview with Pal Schmitt, who confirmed his unwillingness to resign.
He blamed his political opponents for undermining the respect for the office of the president and for giving Hungary a bad name abroad. He added:
27/
‘practically, science corrected itself now. If science made a mistake 20 yrs ago by not pointing my attention to certain deficiencies, then the university has corrected this now. Between them the match stands 1-1, the only pity is that it is me who became the casualty of it.‘
‘practically, science corrected itself now. If science made a mistake 20 yrs ago by not pointing my attention to certain deficiencies, then the university has corrected this now. Between them the match stands 1-1, the only pity is that it is me who became the casualty of it.‘
28/
He stated that his title could not have been revoked rightfully without consulting the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. Also, he reaffirmed that he will not sue for his title
The HAC reacted afterwards saying that the University did have the right to revoke Schmitt’s title
He stated that his title could not have been revoked rightfully without consulting the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. Also, he reaffirmed that he will not sue for his title
The HAC reacted afterwards saying that the University did have the right to revoke Schmitt’s title
29/
On the same day, professor Tivadar Tulassay, rector of the university, announced his resignation. He cited a perceived grave loss of confidence in him from the ministry of education’s behalf, and stressed he felt this step was necessary to prevent any harm to his university.
On the same day, professor Tivadar Tulassay, rector of the university, announced his resignation. He cited a perceived grave loss of confidence in him from the ministry of education’s behalf, and stressed he felt this step was necessary to prevent any harm to his university.
30/
On April 2, Pal Schmitt announced his resignation before parliament so as to avoid a split of the country's population bacause of his case. (At the time, opinion polls showed over 80% wishing he resigns.)
On April 2, Pal Schmitt announced his resignation before parliament so as to avoid a split of the country's population bacause of his case. (At the time, opinion polls showed over 80% wishing he resigns.)
31/
Once more Schmitt denied any wrongdoing and blamed 'forces' for attacking Hungary and its president. He reiterated the accusations are false and that, if anyone, the university was to blame for failing to point him to correct referencing, back in the days.
Once more Schmitt denied any wrongdoing and blamed 'forces' for attacking Hungary and its president. He reiterated the accusations are false and that, if anyone, the university was to blame for failing to point him to correct referencing, back in the days.
32/
He also announced he will sue to get his title back.
He also announced he will sue to get his title back.
33/
In reaction, the leader of Fidesz' parlimentary group expressed a need for the Hungarian scientific community to do some serious soul-searching for having missed to check all scientific titles that were attained before the systemic change to democracy in 1989-1990.
In reaction, the leader of Fidesz' parlimentary group expressed a need for the Hungarian scientific community to do some serious soul-searching for having missed to check all scientific titles that were attained before the systemic change to democracy in 1989-1990.
34/
Pal Schmitt got his PhD in 1992.
END
Pal Schmitt got his PhD in 1992.
END
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