About this episode
The episode explores Viktor Orbán's political career and his impact on Hungarian democracy as he seeks a sixth term as Prime Minister.
Viktor Orbán has been a powerful force in Hungarian politics for nearly 40 years, spending 20 of them as Prime Minister. This weekend he’s trying to win a sixth term in the top job, as voters go to the polls in parliamentary elections. The story of his political career is entwined with the story of Hungarian democracy; at the end of the Cold War, a young Orbán emerged as both canny operator and gifted orator in the anti-Communist youth movement, Fidesz, steering it through splits and ideological shifts into government, first between 1998 and 2002, and then again from 2010 to today. As a pursuer of self-described ‘illiberal democracy’ who casts the EU as his constant adversary, Orbán has become an icon for the global hard right and, to his critics, a borderline autocrat and populist. Presenter Stephen Smith speaks to those who know him well to understand the personal side of this very political beast. Guests: Esther Pataki - former Press Secretary to Viktor Orban David Campanale - Liberal Democrat activist, journalist and fellow of the Danube Institute Zsuzsanna Szelényi - founding Fidesz member and author of Tainted Democracy:Viktor Orbán and the Subversion of Hungary Nick Thorpe…
People in this episode
Host: Stephen Smith
Guests: Esther Pataki, David Campanale, Zsuzsanna Szelényi
Topics covered
- Hungarian politics
- Viktor Orbán
- illiberal democracy
- Fidesz
- populism
- European Union
- elections
Keywords
- Viktor Orbán
- Hungary
- Fidesz
- illiberal democracy
- elections
- Stephen Smith
- politics
- populism
- European Union
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Fidesz, BBC, Danube Institute
Places: Hungary, European Union
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