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Transcript/ScriptHungary Orban Opposition
HEADLINE: Isolated in Europe, Hungarian Prime Minister Hopes for Trump's Return
TEASER: Critics accuse Viktor Orban of eroding democracy
PUBLISHED AT: 02/20/2024 at 5:37 pm
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Budapest
VIDEOGRAPHER: Ancsin Gábor
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, APTN, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:29
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO)) [[Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is the European Union's longest-serving head of state – and his critics say he has tightened his grip on power by eroding democracy. He has long been a thorn in the side of European and NATO unity, threatening to block support for Ukraine and EU sanctions on Russia. But as Henry Ridgwell reports from Budapest, Orban believes that he will soon have new allies in the West.]]
((NARRATOR))
For almost 14 years, Hungary has been led by one man: Viktor Orban. Critics say the prime minister has amassed power and wealth by capturing state institutions.
((FOR RADIO: Marton Tompos (pron. Tomposh) is an opposition lawmaker with the Momentum Party.))
((Marton Tompos, Opposition Momentum Party Lawmaker (in English) ))
“Mr. Orban’s party is so intertwined with all the institutions, all the authorities, all levels of the Hungarian state, that it’s not really I would say a complete democracy anymore, but a hybrid regime, a ‘spin’ dictatorship.”
((NARRATOR))
Recent estimates suggest Orban and his Fidesz party own or control up to 90 percent of Hungarian media.
One of the few remaining independent outlets is Direkt36, co-founded by Andras Petho ((pron. Ondras Petto)) — after his previous employer, Origo, was bought by Fidesz loyalists.
((Andras Petho, Direkt36 Co-founder (in English) ))
“We are talking about hundreds of outlets – digital, print, TV, radio, local, national. Everything. They cover the whole spectrum. It’s a whole media ecosystem that serves only one purpose, which is to spread the government’s messages.”
((BEGIN OPTIONAL))
((NARRATOR))
Those messages are increasingly targeted at the European Union. The bloc accuses Hungary of breaching the fundamental rule of law — and has frozen billions of dollars in EU funds. In return, Orban has launched a propaganda campaign against the EU – with billboards declaring that it “won’t dance to Brussels’ tune.”
But Orban has lost his dance partner. Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice party – a close former ally of Fidesz – was voted out of office in October.
((FOR RADIO: Barbara Grabowska-Moroz (pron. Grabovska-Moroj) is a constitutional law expert from the Central European University in Budapest.))
((Barbara Grabowska-Moroz, Constitutional Law Expert (in English) ))
“Comparing with Hungary, there is still quite a lot of independent media outlets in Poland. So I guess this kind of depth of process of changing the state and capturing it, is just way more advanced here in Hungary.”
((NARRATOR))
Journalist Andras Petho agrees.
((Andras Petho, Direkt36 Co-founder (in English) ))
“Orban has a much tighter control over the country. He’s been working to achieve this for three decades. He had a lot of time. That’s one thing. And the other thing is that the opposition is in a really bad shape in Hungary.”
((END OPTIONAL))
((NARRATOR))
The Hungarian government and Fidesz party did not respond to repeated VOA requests for comment, but both have denied that democracy and press freedom are under threat.
((Henry Ridgwell, VOA News)) // (NARRATOR))
Viktor Orban’s grip on power appears as strong as ever. And he will look to forge closer bonds with allies beyond Hungary as the European Union and the United States hold crucial elections later this year.
((NARRATOR))
Orban makes no secret of his preference.
((FOR RADIO: In his annual televised address this month, Orban said that Hungary can’t get involved in another country’s elections - but would really like president Donald Trump to return to the presidency.))
((Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister (in Hungarian) ))
“We can’t get involved in another country’s elections, but we would really like President Donald Trump to return to the presidency.”
((NARRATOR))
Orban believes time is on his side – and that soon he will no longer be standing alone on the international stage.
((Henry Ridgwell, VOA News, Budapest.))
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