Corona Virus – Power Grab

Padmini Arhant

While many around the world are battling the deadly contagion virus consuming lives and costing livelihoods, the health crisis appears to be a convenient reason for some in politics to grab power and extend their term in office indefinitely squashing democracy in one stint under the pretext of them being the sole crusaders to save the population against the pandemic in their respective domains.

Beginning with Hungary – Hungarian Parliament granting incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban unlimited power to rule by decree indefinitely under the corona virus bill passed in the National Assembly is a matter of deep concern. There is no doubt that the global pandemic demands serious measures to curb and contain the rise of the infectious disease requiring unity in politics prioritizing people lives over political differences, but then sweeping power to any leadership heading a government in a democratic setting portends the possibility to defy elections and democratic rule allowing opposition to play a critical role for necessary checks and balances that otherwise could extend status quo. The Hungarian leadership has not decisively stated on such eventuality being nothing more than a false assumption though the reality is perceived among opposition members and human rights groups seemingly justified in their perception given the Hungarian leadership not ruling out the option in this regard.

Russia – President Vladimir Putin having skirted around the position of Prime Minister and President serving in alternative posts to circumvent Russian Federation constitutional limits declaring the corona virus emergency as the immediate requirement to extend his term stretching up until 2036 is indeed alarming than the corona virus with known and unknown factors for the citizens in Russia. The Russian President having imposed a ban on public gatherings in the wake of the pandemic embarked on a long mission could perhaps share valid explanations behind the unusual proposal to extend political term in office not only to Russian population but also the global community in understanding the veracity of the pandemic prompting unique political decisions stymieing any opportunity for alternative political choice for the Russian electorate.

China – No surprise here. President Xi Jinping heading the Politburo of the Communist Party of China as the single party in Beijing having misled own citizens in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China and the rest of the world with repeat statements denying  any human to human transmission of this highly infectious virus and allowing stream of traffic to flow through domestic and international destinations at the onset of this outbreak in Wuhan would have resulted in the resignation of the entire bureau accepting responsibility for the immeasurable health and economic pain, misery and untenable global situation had the system been democratic respecting lives, individual rights and well being of humanity at large.

Notwithstanding the economic wherewithal in the height of the global pandemic. 

Unfortunately, China having been exempted from compliance in many fronts importantly the international body World Health Organization (WHO) rules and guidelines in the prevention of epidemic with prior experience of SARS and H1N1 virus slighting the consequences of negligence and delayed response in containing the corona virus is a phenomenal error. 

World Health Organization (WHO) on the other hand accepting Beijing’s stance at the early onset and aftermath of the pandemic with conflicting recommendations rather than leading China and the global community in adopting stringent policy on travel prohibitions and quarantine procedures monitoring and controlling travelers in and out of Wuhan suggest complacency and legitimate frustration over the lack of diligence and misrepresentation from World Health Organization top leadership.

Under these circumstances and otherwise President Xi Jinping determined to tighten the grip on the mantle despite devastating health, economic, social and psychological impact within and outside China not to mention the global shutdown may not be a problem for those maintaining ties with Beijing to preserve exclusive economic interests. 

The update will resume on other nations and leaderships utilizing corona virus for political advantage. 

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter

PadminiArhant.com

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