Kreko Describes Convergence of Fidesz and Jobbik in Hungary
In a public lecture at the School of Public Policy (SPP) at Central European University (CEU) on March 31, Political Capital Director Peter Kreko analyzed the relationship between the Fidesz and Jobbik parties in Hungary. During his presentation, which was based on data from his chapter “Transforming Hungary – together? An analysis of the Fidesz-Jobbik relationship” in the edited volume Transforming the Transformation? The East European radical right in the political process, Kreko explained how Jobbik has capitalized on the decline in popularity of the current ruling Fidesz party.
In his introduction, Dean Wolfgang H. Reinicke noted, “Twenty-five years into the transition, democracy building is raising questions that we did not expect to be facing at this point.” In a country and at a time when people are increasingly dissatisfied with the government and economy, Kreko noted, “These political developments deserve more attention.”
Since taking majority control of the government in 2010, the right-wing Fidesz party has declined in popularity. Kreko cited a number of reasons for this decline including corruption, problems in governance, and internal scandals. The far-right Jobbik party has succeeded in capitalizing on Fidesz’s decline to increase its support. Indeed, as Kreko highlighted, Jobbik is now enjoying the highest level of popular support in its history. Current polls show that Fidesz has 21% of public support and Jobbik 18%, only a three percentage point difference.
Even though Jobbik is gaining support, Fidesz does not seem to be concerned, according to Kreko. Rather than attacking Jobbik, Fidesz has instead blamed the Socialists and other left-wing parties for the party’s waning popularity. Kreko cited two reasons for Fidesz’s apparent lack of concern for Jobbik as a political threat. First, it is more difficult to attack a party that is not significantly different ideologically. Second, instead of aggressively trying to steal votes, Fidesz has adopted a strategy of implementing many of the policies championed by Jobbik. “However, President Orban [who is also the leader of Fidesz] has moved in this direction not because he was scared of losing Fidesz votes,”Kreko clarified, “but because he wanted to do so.”
Kreko highlighted a number of policy areas in which Fidesz and Jobbik are converging, noting that Fidesz has so far adopted eight of the 10 campaign promises that Jobbik made in 2010. These include a rather unsuccessful xenophobic campaign against economic migrants; symbolic policies like granting dual citizenship; an “Eastern Opening” towards countries like Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey; a revised energy policy that includes a strong nuclear dependence on Russia; and strong law and order initiatives against perceived threats like crimes committed by Roma. But despite the similarities, Jobbik and Fidesz maintain one important difference: Jobbik is an essentially anti-Roma, racist, and anti-Semitic party, while Fidesz is not.
“Jobbik has also been the only successful political force in mobilizing youth as well as people who did not vote in the 2014 elections,” Kreko said. Two years ago, Jobbik transformed its image from one of an extremist party to a moderate right-wing party that was responsive to young people. As a result of this campaign, its support has almost doubled, Kreko noted.
Despite adopting Jobbik’s policies, Fidesz’s popularity is still losing popular support to Jobbik. “Fidesz successfully used Jobbik as an instrument to extend the frontiers of the political field and ‘transform the transformation,’” he concluded.
Watch the full lecture below.