Friedrich Merz Should Emulate Peter Magyar More: Populists Cannot Be Defeated with Indifference

The recent election results in Hungary, which saw the conservative Peter Magyar emerge victorious over the incumbent Viktor Orban, present a crucial learning opportunity for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the broader European political landscape. While Merz has publicly framed Magyar's win as a defeat for right-wing populism and a testament to European democracy's resilience, this perspective is deemed overly optimistic and short-sighted by the NZZ. Orban's tenure was indeed marked by disruptive actions within the EU, including obstruction of aid to Ukraine and a concerning alignment with the Kremlin. However, Magyar's success is not rooted in a progressive, pro-EU agenda, but rather in his appeal as a self-assured conservative who resonated with voters' economic anxieties. He countered Orban's populist rhetoric with a message of civic renewal, a stark contrast to what the author perceives as Merz's current tone of resignation. Merz's recent statements acknowledging the government's inability to shield citizens and businesses from global market fluctuations, while honest, appear defensive rather than bold, especially in light of Germany's extensive social policies.

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The right-wing populism had suffered a heavy defeat.

Furthermore, the article criticizes Merz's approach to defining the conservative identity of his party, the CDU/CSU. Unlike Magyar, who directly challenged the populist government on its weaknesses, particularly corruption and its pro-Kremlin stance, thereby sharpening his conservative profile, Merz seems hesitant to fully embrace traditional CDU policies for fear of alienating his coalition partners. This perceived reluctance to assert a clear, classical conservative platform, often leading to backtracking on issues like migration or redistribution plans in the face of predictable left-wing criticism, results in a dilution of the party's core identity. The author suggests that Merz should instead emulate Magyar's strategy of confronting populist narratives with a robust, distinct conservative vision, rather than softening his stance and blurring the lines of his party's political positioning.

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The victory of Peter Magyar is, however, not a triumph of a progressive EU friend, but that of a self-confident conservative.