Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained himself in his post since 2010 by appealing to the conservative tenets of public opinion in Hungary.
However, after starting an inexplicable political “dating” relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he has suffered a considerable and very symbolic defeat which has sown consternation among his closest advisers.
Hungary has been harassed in the West because of its new Constitution and its courageous stances by enacting laws that contradict immoral legislation promoted by the European Union.
This arbitrary treatment has served as a good excuse for Orban to approach Vladimir Putin, who offered him what in fact he does not have to give: money. Hungary is going through economic difficulties and a lying illusion can fool a person in dire straits.
In return for Putin’s promises, Orban called the Russian model a “non-liberal democracy” and expressed admiration for the Russian president.
Hungarian public opinion however – including the Prime Minister’s voters in the Fidesz Party – is resolutely decided to anchor their country in the West, as the AFP news agency reported.
On the eve of Putin’s recent visit to Hungary, thousands of people marched through the streets of Budapest shouting “Yes to Europe, No to Putin.”
Public discontent was ultimately shown by the electorate’s refusal of Orban’s candidate in a by-election in Veszprem, choosing instead an independent candidate.
According to expert Csaba Toth, circles close to the government immediately reacted by saying that this defeat does not mean the “party is sinking.” But if they are speaking of their own party in terms of “sinking,” it is because it is not doing well…
After the party lost its “super-majority” in Parliament, Hungarian European Commissioner Tibor Navrasics said his government has felt the “need for a new strategy.”
The Veszprem by-election outcome had “enormous symbolic importance,” political scientist Kornelia Magyar remarked.
The leading pro-Orban daily Magyar Nemzet called on the Prime Minister to shape up after the “defeat” in Veszprem, since “the erosion of [public] support for Fidesz makes you think.”
Another who should be paying attention is the increasingly aggressive Kremlin head, who continues trying to grab back neighboring countries, including glorious Hungary, once crushed by Soviet tanks.
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