Why is Viktor Orbán set to win big?

2014. április 05. 08:23

The “average Joe” image he dons, coupled with his “freedom fighter” credentials, has made Orbán a well-liked politician, respected for his decisiveness and candor.

2014. április 05. 08:23
Márk Varga

„Their prospects were further undermined after the former vice president of the Socialist party, Gabor Simon, found himself caught in quite the political pickle. In early February, it was discovered that the Socialist politician had been holding the hefty sum of 770,000 euros in an Austrian bank account, which he conveniently failed to mention in his declaration of assets (required of all MPs by Hungarian law). Since then, further bank accounts in his name have been discovered, and he continues to deny that the money is his own. Having disgraced his party just before the elections, Simon resigned and has been taken into custody. These recent allegations of corruption at the highest levels of the Socialist party certainly do not help the party’s standing in the eyes of an already skeptical Hungarian public. (...)

In stark contrast to international media, the dominant narrative in the Hungarian press is that Orbán has served the country’s interests and proven able to steer Hungary away from the brink of collapse, staving off a Greek-type default and protecting his citizens from exploitation by foreign banks. The »average Joe« image he dons, coupled with his »freedom fighter« credentials, has made Orbán a well-liked politician, respected for his decisiveness and candor.

While the EU all too often treats Hungary as a sort of outlier in need of guidance, Orbán appeals to Hungarian national pride, a theme he has cunningly illustrated by not caving into European demands and pursing his own economic path. Hungarians often feel that their European neighbors misjudge theirs country’s heritage and, like any tactful leader, Orbán has monopolized on this populist sentiment, launching well-calculated responses to the EU while standing up for Hungary’s independence.

While international outsiders continue their cries of indignation, the Hungarian people seem to be impressed with the progress made by Orbán’s governance.  Further integration with the EU is clearly an end goal for Hungary and its citizens, but the international community should respect the party and policies European citizens choose at home.”

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kulalak
2014. április 05. 17:05
Anne Applebaum wrote this a few years ago. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/27/AR2010122703990.html "For the previous eight years, the country had been run by one of the most incompetent governments in Europe. Hungary's Socialists ran up debt, evaded reforms and squirreled away money in foreign bank accounts." ! Let me repeat that: "squirreled away money in foreign bank accounts."! How did she know?:) BTW the article is good but it does not dare to say what it really want to say so it seems a little bit apologetic (in other words too PC:).
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