Free Republic

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday that investor George Soros issued a “declaration of war” when he called his home country a “mafia state.” The Hungarian-born billionaire described Orban’s “mafia state” as “one which maintains a facade of democracy but the rulers use their control of the media, the judiciary and the other levers of influence, to enrich and maintain themselves in power.” Orban in return accused Soros of enforcing his agenda by paying “agent-like networks” of non-governmental organizations. “This is a declaration of war,” Orban said on state radio Friday, according to the Associated Press.

South Africa risks turning into a “mafia state”, a senior governing party official has warned, as pressure grows on President Jacob Zuma over his links with a wealthy family. Gwede Mantashe made the comments after deputy Finance Minister Mcebesi Jonas alleged the Gupta family had offered him a government promotion. During a rowdy parliamentary session, Mr. Zuma denied the family had influenced cabinet appointments. The opposition called on him resign. Mr. Mantashe is the third most powerful person in the governing African National Congress (ANC), and his remarks suggest Mr. Zuma may be losing the confidence of influential members of...