Viktor Orbán

Definition

Viktor Orbán is a Hungarian politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Hungary since 2010. He is known for leading an 'illiberal' or 'populist' government that has moved away from liberal democratic principles towards a more authoritarian style of governance, which relates to the broader trend of 'illiberal representative regimes' discussed in the context of 13.3 Recent Trends.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Viktor Orbán has been the leader of the right-wing Fidesz party in Hungary since the 1990s, and has served as the country's Prime Minister for most of the last decade.
2. Orbán has implemented a range of policies that have been criticized as eroding democratic checks and balances, including measures to consolidate power, weaken the independence of the judiciary, and restrict press freedom.
3. Under Orbán's leadership, Hungary has been classified as an 'illiberal democracy' or 'populist authoritarian' regime, where elections are held but civil liberties are increasingly curtailed.
4. Orbán has promoted a nationalist, anti-immigration agenda, and has clashed with the European Union over issues such as the rule of law and human rights.
5. Orbán's rise to power and the erosion of democracy in Hungary are seen as part of a broader global trend towards 'illiberal representative regimes', where elected leaders undermine liberal democratic institutions.

Review Questions

• Describe the key features of Viktor Orbán's 'illiberal' style of governance in Hungary.
  • Viktor Orbán's 'illiberal' style of governance in Hungary has been characterized by a consolidation of power, the weakening of democratic checks and balances, and the curtailment of civil liberties. This includes measures such as restricting press freedom, undermining the independence of the judiciary, and promoting a nationalist, anti-immigration agenda. Orbán's Fidesz party has dominated the political landscape, and Hungary has been classified as an 'illiberal democracy' or 'populist authoritarian' regime, where elections are held but democratic norms and institutions are increasingly eroded.
• Explain how Viktor Orbán's leadership in Hungary relates to the broader global trend of 'illiberal representative regimes'.
  • Viktor Orbán's tenure as the Prime Minister of Hungary is seen as part of a broader global trend towards 'illiberal representative regimes', where elected leaders undermine liberal democratic institutions and principles. Like other populist, nationalist leaders around the world, Orbán has promoted an agenda that appeals to the concerns of ordinary people, often in opposition to an 'elite establishment'. This has manifested in policies that consolidate the ruling party's power, weaken checks on executive authority, and restrict civil liberties – all while maintaining the facade of democratic elections. The erosion of democracy in Hungary under Orbán's leadership is thus emblematic of the challenges facing liberal democracy in various parts of the world.
• Assess the implications of Viktor Orbán's 'illiberal' governance for Hungary's relationship with the European Union.
  • Viktor Orbán's 'illiberal' style of governance in Hungary has put him at odds with the European Union, which has sought to uphold liberal democratic norms and the rule of law across its member states. Orbán's policies, such as restricting press freedom, undermining judicial independence, and promoting a nationalist, anti-immigration agenda, have been criticized by the EU as undermining core European values. This has led to ongoing tensions and clashes between Hungary and the EU, with the latter attempting to exert pressure on Orbán's government through various mechanisms, including the potential withholding of EU funds. The deterioration of democracy in Hungary under Orbán's leadership has thus strained the country's relationship with the broader European community, with significant implications for Hungary's political and economic future within the EU.

Related terms

Illiberal Democracy:

A political system in which, although elections take place, citizens' civil liberties are curtailed, and the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary are undermined.

Populism:

A political approach that appeals to the interests and concerns of ordinary people, especially in opposition to an elite establishment.

Authoritarian Regime: A form of government in which a single person or political party exercises absolute control over all spheres of government and society, with no meaningful opposition.