The Center Right Takes Power in Hungary

Conservative Peter Magyar was sworn in as Prime Minister of Hungary yesterday, ending 16 years of rule by the autocratic, corrupt, pro-Russian far right Fidesz Party. Magyar’s center-right Tisza Party, which holds over two-thirds of the seats in Parliament, is a member of the European People's Party group in the European Parliament. Fidesz had been forced out of the EPP because of its violation of the group’s principles of liberty and representative government, as I had posted. The EPP leads the coalition that governs the European Union. As I had posted last month, the overwhelming victory by the conservatives overcame Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s usual restrictions on free and fair elections, such as limitations on access to public media, as well as open support by the European and American far right, such as by far-right and fascist party leaders, Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. Orban was regarded as a model by the far right, as I have posted, despite -- or perhaps because of -- the autocracy and corruption, and lack of prosperity. The self-described “nationalists” and “sovereigntists” sympathize with aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and admire Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin, the former Soviet intelligence agent who is trying to restore the Soviet Empire. Tisza’s convincing victory also effectively precluded any attempt by Orban to challenge the results. As I have posted, Hungary is the latest example of a trend in Europe of the center right defeating the far right in elections to lead government coalitions while also keeping the far left from power. Poland, Austria, Romania, Germany and the EU were the other examples. In other examples, center-right parties at least form part of a coalition that keeps out both extremes, such as in France, or, like in Italy, help to moderate the policies of a more right-wing government. Center-right parties rule in multiple other States around Europe and the world, but the point I have observed is that the success of the center right suggests that a principled conservative party could form a viable alternative to the extremes, even in America, or at least that a center-right Republican nominee could again appeal to enough voters while turning the GOP back to its conservative mooring.