Liberal theatre director admits sexual misconduct

A pro-government pundit lambasts the Left for not distancing itself from a liberal director who has admitted sexual harassment. A left-wing columnist finds it controversial to focus on the political sympathies of sexual predators rather than their deeds.

Péter Gothár, director and screen writer acknowledged in a public statement that he harassed a female colleague at the József Katona theatre in Budapest. Gothár ran in the 1994 Parliamentary election as a candidate for the now defunct Free Democrats (SZDSZ).

In Magyar Nemzet, György Pilhál finds it peculiar that those left-wing politicians who were quick to condemn Fidesz politicians accused of domestic violence and who attend demonstrations to raise awareness about sexual harassment now remain silent. The pro-government commentator suggests that opposition politicians do not seem to be concerned if their ideological allies are accused of sexual misconduct.

Népszava’s Kristzina Hompola, on the other hand, criticizes government media for framing the incident by portraying Gothár as a left-wing liberal person. Hompola notes that sexual predators should be held responsible for what they do, regardless of their political leanings. The left-wing columnist writes that those government media that now lambast Gothár have in the past downplayed sexual misconduct allegations in general, and even blame women for provoking such behaviour.

Tags: sex predator