Why not just put him on the ballot?
Hungarian Viktor Orban's tenure has seen Hungary government shift towards what he has called "illiberal democracy" — citing countries such as China, Russia, India, Singapore, and Turkey as models of governance— while simultaneously promoting anti-Americanism, Euroscepticism, and opposition to Western democracy.
Because of Orbán's curtailing of press freedom, erosion of judicial independence and undermining of multiparty democracy, Hungary has experienced democratic backsliding during his tenure. Orbán's attacks on the European Union while accepting its money and funneling it to his allies and family have also led to characterizations of his government as a kleptocracy.
Between 2010 and 2020, Hungary dropped 69 places in the Press Freedom Index and 11 places in the Democracy Index. Freedom House has downgraded the country from "free" to "partly free."
Orbán defends his policies as "illiberal democracy." In a July 2022 speech, Orban criticized the “mixing” of European and non-European races, saying "We [Hungarians] are not a mixed race and we do not want to become a mixed race".
This is the man CPAC attendees cheered as a speaker in Texas, most of them not likely even understanding who they were listening to. A speaking guest of the Republican Party of the USA.
Speaking in Dallas on Thursday, Mr Orban did not directly address that furor surrounding him but said: "A Christian politician cannot be racist." The Hungarian premier also said those who consider him a racist or anti-Semite are "simply idiots". "I can already see tomorrow's headlines," he said. "Far-right European racist and anti-Semite strongman, Trojan horse of Putin, holds speech at conservative conference. "But I don't want to give them any ideas, they know best how to write fake news."
Sound familiar?
Because of Orbán's curtailing of press freedom, erosion of judicial independence and undermining of multiparty democracy, Hungary has experienced democratic backsliding during his tenure. Orbán's attacks on the European Union while accepting its money and funneling it to his allies and family have also led to characterizations of his government as a kleptocracy.
Between 2010 and 2020, Hungary dropped 69 places in the Press Freedom Index and 11 places in the Democracy Index. Freedom House has downgraded the country from "free" to "partly free."
Orbán defends his policies as "illiberal democracy." In a July 2022 speech, Orban criticized the “mixing” of European and non-European races, saying "We [Hungarians] are not a mixed race and we do not want to become a mixed race".
This is the man CPAC attendees cheered as a speaker in Texas, most of them not likely even understanding who they were listening to. A speaking guest of the Republican Party of the USA.
Speaking in Dallas on Thursday, Mr Orban did not directly address that furor surrounding him but said: "A Christian politician cannot be racist." The Hungarian premier also said those who consider him a racist or anti-Semite are "simply idiots". "I can already see tomorrow's headlines," he said. "Far-right European racist and anti-Semite strongman, Trojan horse of Putin, holds speech at conservative conference. "But I don't want to give them any ideas, they know best how to write fake news."
Sound familiar?
