IS the Philippines ready for federalism? What are the signs that a country is ready for this type of government? Will the minority be protected under this system?
These are some of the questions raised by De La Salle University (DLSU) students during a lecture on “A Talk on Federalism: Lessons from the Austro-Hungarian Compromise” held on September 27 at the university’s Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium.
The featured speaker was no less than Georg von Habsburg, grandson of Emperor of Austria Charles I and King of Hungary Charles IV, the last monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until its dissolution in 1918. His father, Otto von Habsburg (1912-2011) was the last crowned prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Speaking before a full-packed auditorium before Grade 11 and college students of DLSU, the ambassador-at-large of Hungary spoke on the success of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy or “dual monarchy”, the Habsburg empire from 1867 until its fall in 1918.
Habsburg spoke on the success of the compromise agreement that characterized federalism: a system of government in which entities, such as states or provinces, share power with a national government.
He admitted he is unaware of the exact system of government of the Philippines, but looked back at the history of the Austro-Hungarian compromise that could provide lessons to the Filipino people.
At the end of his speech, he said, “Your strength lies on your number. You have a huge population and that makes you a strong nation.”
Habsburg also served as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Hungary and as an advisor to the Europe zone office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. He was the president of the Hungarian Red Cross from 2006 to 2012.