Hungarian politician laments party's 'arrogant' style, calls for return to 'lightness'

Balázs Hidvéghi, a Hungarian politician, has called for a significant shift in his party's communication strategy, lamenting a recent style characterized by "mannerism, haughtiness, arrogance, and conceit." He believes this approach, coupled with the "arrogant behavior" of elites enriched during the government's tenure, fostered a sense of abuse of power among voters.

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Unfortunately, we have been speaking and reacting in a bad style recently. Mannerism, haughtiness, arrogance, and conceit have become dominant.

Hidvéghi argued that the party's campaign excessively focused on foreign policy and international conflicts, particularly the struggle with Brussels and the ongoing confrontation with Ukraine. This, he suggested, created an "absurdity" where the slogan "Russians, go home!" emerged against Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, 36 years after the regime change. He feels this positioning against Europe and the West does not align with Hungarian identity.

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So the absurdity happened that the slogan "Russians, go home!" appeared against Orbán Viktor and Fidesz, 36 years after the regime change.

Addressing the emergence of Péter Magyar as a new political force, Hidvéghi described him as a "bullying character" in public life, mirroring his private behavior. He accused Magyar of aggressively denying the Fidesz government's successes, labeling everyone as criminals and mafiosi, while simultaneously attempting to co-opt the party's core issues like the Hungarian diaspora, nationhood, and migration.

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Péter Magyar, who is the same bullying character in public life as in his private life, pursues a strategy based on aggression and stigmatization.

To navigate this transformed political landscape, Hidvéghi stressed the need to protect the party's and the country's shared achievements and find a "new voice." He urged a return to a lighter, more humorous, and even self-ironic tone. "We need to defend ourselves, the common achievements of Fidesz and the people, and Viktor Orbán's exceptional political performances at home and abroad," he stated, emphasizing the need for the right style and figures to achieve this. He concluded by highlighting the importance of addressing the real problems and concerns of the people.

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We need to defend ourselves, the common achievements of Fidesz and the people, and Viktor Orbán's exceptional political performances at home and abroad.