Hungary's strongman Viktor Orban wins third term in power

By Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs

 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses the supporters after the announcement of the partial results of parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, April 8, 2018.REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

 

BUDAPEST, Hungary (Reuters) - Prime Minister Viktor Orban won a third straight term in power in Sunday elections after his anti-immigration campaign message secured a strong majority for his party in parliament, granting him two-thirds of seats based on preliminary results.

 

The rightwing nationalist prime minister projected himself as a saviour of Hungary's Christian culture against Muslim migration into Europe, an image which resonated with millions of voters, especially in rural areas.

 

"We have won, Hungary has won a great victory," a jubilant Orban told a large crowd of cheering supporters near the Danube river in Budapest.

 

"There is a big battle behind us, we have won a crucial victory, giving ourself a chance to defend Hungary."

 

According to preliminary results with 93 percent of votes counted, National Election Office data projected Fidesz to win 133 seats, a tight two-thirds majority in the 199-seat parliament. Nationalist Jobbik was projected to win 26 seats, while the Socialists were projected as third with 20 lawmakers.

 

Two smaller leftist parties, DK and LMP, won nine and eight seats respectively.

 

That means Orban could have a two-thirds majority for a third time, and powers to change constitutional laws. The EU has struggled to respond as Orban's government has, in the view of its critics, used its two landslide victories in 2010 and 2014 to erode democratic checks and balances.

 

The victory could embolden Orban to put more muscle into a Central European alliance against the European Union's migration policies. Orban, Hungary's longest-serving post-communist premier, opposes deeper integration of the bloc and - teaming up with Poland - has been a fierce critique of Brussels' policies.

 

He expressed gratitude to Poland's leaders for their backing ahead of the vote.

 

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, president of the National Front, was the first to congratulate Orban.

 

"Great and clear victory for Viktor Orban in Hungary: reversal of values and mass immigration as promoted by the EU are rejected again. Nationalists could win a majority in Europe at the next European elections in 2019," Le Pen tweeted.

 

OPPOSITION LEADERS RESIGN

 

The election produced a turnout of around 70 percent, exceeding the past three votes.

 

Some analysts say Fidesz's support was the strongest in small towns and villages.

 

With his firm grip on state media and his business allies in control of regional newspapers, Orban's message was amplified in the countryside. There, many people only watch the state television news channel, which has showed immigrants causing trouble in western European cities night after night.

 

The strongest opposition party in the new parliament is the formerly far-right Jobbik, which has recast its image as a more moderate nationalist force.

 

It campaigned on an anti-corruption agenda and urged higher wages to lure back hundreds of thousands of Hungarians who have left Hungary for western Europe.

 

Jobbik's leader Gabor Vona said he would tender his resignation after the defeat.

 

"Jobbik's goal, to win the elections and force a change in government, was not achieved. Fidesz won. It won again," he said.

 

The Socialists' entire leadership also resigned.

 

Critics say Orban has put Hungary on an increasingly authoritarian path and his stance on immigration has fuelled xenophobia.

 

With a message that he stands for all Hungarians against foreign meddling, Orban tapped into feelings shared by many Hungarians who perceive threats to their national identity and feel they are treated as second-class citizens in the EU.

 

He seized the moment when on Jan. 12 2015, he said immigration into Europe should be largely halted after Paris attacks launched by Islamist extremists.

 

"We should not look at economic immigration as if it had any use, because it only brings trouble and threats to European people," he told state television then. "Therefore, immigration must be stopped. That's the Hungarian stance."

 

In September 2015 he built a razor-wire fence on the Serbian border to keep out tens of thousands of migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa. Since then his government has enacted a series of laws to control migration, and his tough measures have been sharply criticised by the United Nations.

 

After casting his vote in a wealthy district of Budapest, he said he would stand up for Hungary's interests.

 

Asked by journalists if he was fighting the European Union, Orban said: "The EU is not in Brussels. The EU is in Berlin, in Budapest, in Prague and in Bucharest."

 

MIGRATION "LIKE RUST"

 

Orban's strong win could boost other right-wing nationalists in Central Europe, in Poland and in neighbouring Austria, and expose cracks in the 28-nation EU.

 

Orban, 54, has curbed the powers of the constitutional court, increased control of the media and appointed loyalists to key positions.

 

He is credited with keeping the budget deficit under control, reducing unemployment and some of Hungary's debt, and putting its economy on a growth track.

 

On Friday, at his closing campaign rally, he vowed to protect his nation from Muslim migrants, saying: "Migration is like rust that slowly but surely would consume Hungary."

 

The anti-immigration campaign has gone down well with many of the roughly two million core voters of Fidesz.

 

Orban is expected to continue his economic policies, with income tax cuts and incentives to boost growth, analysts have said.

 

His business allies are expected to expand their economic domains. Businessmen close to Fidesz have acquired stakes in major industries like banking, energy, construction and tourism, profiting from EU funds.

 

(Writing by Krisztina Than; additional reporting by Sandor Peto and Marton Dunai; editing by Andrew Roche)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-09

Well done Orban

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Your move Soros

Anti-immigrant nationalist stance enables massive corruption. Sounds good.

 

"Orban, 54, has curbed the powers of the constitutional court, increased control of the media and appointed loyalists to key positions."

 

What's wrong with a bit of nepotism anyway!

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by Grouse

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Some analysts say Fidesz's support was the strongest in small towns and villages.

 

A subtle attempt to paint the supporters of Orban as hill-billies (if there were indeed hills in Hungary)....like Trump's "base"....

Europe listen! More of this please - Merkel made it neccessary.

The rise of extreme right-wing politics in Europe is a concern. Before applauding people should remember history .........

2 hours ago, BuaBS said:

Your move Soros

True and G Miller should be able to bring a up court cases to slow everything down with his (Soros) monetary backup of course (sarc)

. . .  his stance on immigration has fuelled xenophobia.

 

Xenophobia? Or nationalism? They are far from being the same thing, yet all too often these days they are conflated in order to discredit anyone who goes against the grain of so-called popular "progressive" opinion.

 

Islamophobia is a label slapped individuals bold enough to raise legitimate concerns - and there are many - about the religion of Islam or the consequences of Muslim immigration on our economy and culture. 

 

Transphobia is the newest pejorative word in the progressive lexicon. It is thrown around randomly to vilify and gag anyone with misgivings about the "gender neutral" classrooms being introduced in our schools.

 

It is also tossed unjustifiably at critics of controversial "equality" law changes being ushered in with virtually no public debate to appease transgender lobbyists - a self-appointed and arguably unrepresentative cabal of militant activists backed by Brexit meddler George Soros.

 

The word "racist" is similarly employed with scatter-gun efficiency to stifle free speech relating to any ethnic group - except, of course, if its members happen to be white. Or nationalist. Or, God forbid, white nationalist!

 

We all need to ask ourselves an important question about what is going on in Hungary: Why shouldn't the Hungarian people reject the infliction of ongoing mass immigration, along with its ugly sisters "multiculturalism" and "inclusivity", if they feel it is in the interests of their country as a whole?

 

Their stance is surely what nationalism - as opposed to xenophobia - is all about.  And this is why the majority of Brits who voted "Leave" in Brexit referendum should hold their heads high as they continue their fight for freedom.

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by Krataiboy

3 hours ago, blazes said:

 

A subtle attempt to paint the supporters of Orban as hill-billies (if there were indeed hills in Hungary)....like Trump's "base"....

 

I think that voters in cities tending to go for more liberal (in a loose sense of the word, can mean different things in different countries) candidates/parties is a global phenomenon. Applied for the last US elections as well, if I'm not mistaken.

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by Morch

51 minutes ago, Krataiboy said:

We all need to ask ourselves an important question about what is going on in Hungary: Why shouldn't the Hungarian people reject the infliction of ongoing mass immigration, along with its ugly sisters "multiculturalism" and "inclusivity", if they feel it is in the interests of their country as a whole?

So far Hungary has accepted 400+ asylum seeker applications, probably Christians, Hungary is not being 'swamped'. Nationalism in Hungary as articulated by Orban, is a threat to the EU, Orban is manipulating fear as is common. As per usual Orban admires Russia.

1 hour ago, simple1 said:

So far Hungary has accepted 400+ asylum seeker applications, probably Christians, Hungary is not being 'swamped'. Nationalism in Hungary as articulated by Orban, is a threat to the EU, Orban is manipulating fear as is common. As per usual Orban admires Russia.

 

Why do you think Hungary has accepted a few genuine asylum seekers and not been bullied by the EU into accepting its "quota" of illegal economic migrants looking for freebies?

 

Could it be that this is Orban's third term?

21 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Why do you think Hungary has accepted a few genuine asylum seekers and not been bullied by the EU into accepting its "quota" of illegal economic migrants looking for freebies?

 

Could it be that this is Orban's third term?

Never read of EU including 'illegals' in the quota distribution system, in fact I don't believe you. 

1 minute ago, simple1 said:

Never read of EU including 'illegals' in the quota distribution system, in fact I don't believe you. 

 

All of them are illegal unless they entered a EU by legal means, and applied for asylum in the first EU country they entered. 

 

Where and by whom is this vetting going to take place that ensures only genuine asylum seekers are allowed to stay?

 

I don't believe I've ever read of where, and by whose judgement, the EU, as an entity, makes that differentiation. Simply seeks to divide them up and let member countries try and process them.

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

All of them are illegal unless they entered a EU by legal means, and applied for asylum in the first EU country they entered.

Incorrect as Dublin Regulation circumventing UN Convention for Refugees was put on hold due to being underfunded / under resourced  for frontline countries during the major influx into EU. 

The rise of extreme right-wing politics in Europe is a concern. Before applauding people should remember history .........

Blame the ignorant left. I hope more countries stands up.

Sent from a so called Smartphone using an App.

With every year a € 6 BILLION to spend, with hardly any control, in a country even under 10 million inhabitants, a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Hungary was worth 124.34 billion US dollars ( = just a € 100 billion) in 2016, even an ape could be re-elected.

Time the EU does not just GIVE these amounts - with ZERO counter- performance for this gift, but only as a commerical loan.

 

Even those who are opposing EU and Juncker, must give credit for this one. :D

Juncker calling Hungarian PM as dictator, directly to his face. Typical Juncker :)

 

 

3 hours ago, simple1 said:

So far Hungary has accepted 400+ asylum seeker applications, probably Christians, Hungary is not being 'swamped'. Nationalism in Hungary as articulated by Orban, is a threat to the EU, Orban is manipulating fear as is common. As per usual Orban admires Russia.

So far Hungary has accepted 400+ asylum seeker applications, probably Christians

 

Good for them. A heartening contrast to uncharitable Britain and other supposedly God-fearing nations who have put down the welcome mat to Muslim migrants but slammed the door on Christians fleeing Islamic persecution.

 

How crazy is this? At least Christian immigrants share some of our basic human values, such as a belief in equality of the sexes, the human rights of homosexuals and the freedom to choose a religion or none. And, of course, they are not nascent terrorists.

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by Krataiboy

@dundee48

 

You constantly post laughter emoticons in response to my posts. As an example within this topic, my post #15, enlighten me, with facts, what's so hilariously incorrect.

2 minutes ago, Krataiboy said:

Britain and other supposedly God-fearing nations who have put down the welcome mat to Muslim migrants but slammed the door on Christians fleeing Islamic persecution.

As an example many Arab Christian refugees in USA & Australia. Look it up, 2016 - 2017, 78% of Syrian refugee intake into Australia were Christians. Got stats to backup your claim re UK?

 

 

 

 

6 hours ago, Swimman said:

The rise of extreme right-wing politics in Europe is a concern. Before applauding people should remember history .........

 

The Hungarians are remembering history and they're giving it no chance of repeating itself. Do you blame them.

 

Large parts of what is now Hungary were under tyranical Islamic rule for over 100 years during the days of the Ottoman Empire. They were the worst days in their history.

10 hours ago, webfact said:

"We have won, Hungary has won a great victory," a jubilant Orban told a large crowd of cheering supporters near the Danube river in Budapest.

 

"There is a big battle behind us, we have won a crucial victory, giving ourself a chance to defend Hungary."

Good for Hungary! I admire their tenacious  persistence to be Hungarians ! 

7 hours ago, sweatalot said:

Europe listen! More of this please - Merkel made it neccessary.

It's coming ... but slowly :

 

7 hours ago, Swimman said:

The rise of extreme right-wing politics in Europe is a concern. Before applauding people should remember history .........

And some people need to learn history.  It is a common falsehood that you believe.

 

National Socialist Workers Party - otherwise known as the NAZIs.

The Nazis started as a left-wing party. 

 

The Nazis believed they were a superior race because they believed in evolution (not creation).

The Nazis hated the Christian Church and all religions (they reached a truce with the Pope).

The Nazis entrenched Atheism in all aspects of German society. 

The Nazis passed laws that allowed abortions.

The Nazis setup a centralised socialist government that controlled all of society.

The Nazis provided government Healthcare.

The Nazis provided government-run education.

The Nazis stated that individuals should be sacrificed for the greater good of society.

The Nazis were the first in world to pass environmental protections laws.

The Nazis were one of the first to pass animal rights protections laws.

 

Does that list sound left-wing or right-wing to you??

Remember I am talking about the 1930s - only 10 years after the 19th Amendement in USA (outlawing banning women from voting) - nearly 90 years ago.  

 

NO - not everything the Nazis did was 'left-wing' - they also did 'right-wing' things.

BUT - the Nazis became neithger left nor right - they became something else.

The Nazis became racist homophobic sadistic murderers.

NO - being a racist homophobic sadistic murderer is not 'right-wing'.

It is despotic psychotic madness and Hitler and the Nazi leadership embodied all of that.

 

To state that the Nazis were 'right-wing' is plainly false - no matter what the liberal teachers and left-wing websites have told you. They were not 'left-wing' either - they started left-wing and became despotic psychotic racist murderers.

 

 

58 minutes ago, simple1 said:

As an example many Arab Christian refugees in USA & Australia. Look it up, 2016 - 2017, 78% of Syrian refugee intake into Australia were Christians. Got stats to backup your claim re UK?

 

That is because the Aust Govt refuses to accept the UN preferred refugees (predominately Muslims) and goes direct to the source and UN refugee camps and selects mainly Christian refugees. Aust has been openly criticised by the UN for doing this and ignoring their demands that they accept more Muslims.  Look it up and then admit you are wrong (yet again). I aint holding my breath. 

8 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

And some people need to learn history.  It is a common falsehood that you believe.

 

National Socialist Workers Party - otherwise known as the NAZIs.

The Nazis started as a left-wing party. 

 

The Nazis believed they were a superior race because they believed in evolution (not creation).

The Nazis hated the Christian Church and all religions (they reached a truce with the Pope).

The Nazis entrenched Atheism in all aspects of German society. 

The Nazis passed laws that allowed abortions.

The Nazis setup a centralised socialist government that controlled all of society.

The Nazis provided government Healthcare.

The Nazis provided government-run education.

The Nazis stated that individuals should be sacrificed for the greater good of society.

The Nazis were the first in world to pass environmental protections laws.

The Nazis were one of the first to pass animal rights protections laws.

 

Does that list sound left-wing or right-wing to you??

Remember I am talking about the 1930s - only 10 years after the 19th Amendement in USA (outlawing banning women from voting) - nearly 90 years ago.  

 

NO - not everything the Nazis did was 'left-wing' - they also did 'right-wing' things.

BUT - the Nazis became neithger left nor right - they became something else.

The Nazis became racist homophobic sadistic murderers.

NO - being a racist homophobic sadistic murderer is not 'right-wing'.

It is despotic psychotic madness and Hitler and the Nazi leadership embodied all of that.

 

To state that the Nazis were 'right-wing' is plainly false - no matter what the liberal teachers and left-wing websites have told you. They were not 'left-wing' either - they started left-wing and became despotic psychotic racist murderers.

 

 

Can I add something to your accurate,well summarized  comment. They  forcefully controlled the media  as well.

2 hours ago, simple1 said:

As an example many Arab Christian refugees in USA & Australia. Look it up, 2016 - 2017, 78% of Syrian refugee intake into Australia were Christians. Got stats to backup your claim re UK?

 

 

 

 

Good for the Ozzies. Now get ready to blush.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-christian-refugees-syria-lord-george-carey-discrimination-archbishop-of-canterbury-muslims-a7681446.html

 

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/exclusive-why-are-there-so-few-christian-refugees-from-syria-in-the-uk/97283.htm

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11748943/UK-is-denying-refuge-to-Christians-fleeing-Isil-say-church-leaders.html

 

Is your plate full yet?

Tragic for Hungary. A neo fascist white nationalist xenophobic antisemitic movement is nothing to celebrate.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

57 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Tragic for Hungary. A neo fascist white nationalist xenophobic antisemitic movement is nothing to celebrate.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

How is it 'tragic'. It was a democratic decision arrived at by the Hungarian electorate.  They've not been at the receiving end of any Islamic terrorist atrocities because of the stand taken over the years by Orban. That's why they keep voting for him.

 

By contrast the UK, the US, France, Germany,  Belgium, Sweden and Spain have. And ones that have proven to be extremely 'tragic'

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by yogi100