Encouraged by a fourth consecutive overwhelming election victory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to back energy sanctions on Russia and toughen his stance in talks with Brussels to unlock frozen EU funds. The nationalist Mr Orban, who held his sweeping majority on Sunday, crushing the opposition despite efforts to unite against him, is likely to continue rejecting EU sanctions on Russian oil and gas, arguing that an economy would which is already slowing down due to the effects of the war in Ukraine. Using his strong mandate, Mr Orban will also consolidate his conservative policies at home and could try to divert foreign companies to areas such as retail where Hungarian ownership is not yet dominant, as Fidesz’s party targets. to form his own class of loyal industrialists. . But Mr Orban faces some difficult challenges: he needs to mend ties with his eastern allies, such as Poland, which has been strained by its cautious stance on the Ukraine war after a decade of close business ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. . It must also contain a growing budget deficit at a time when the Hungarian economy is going to slow down due to supply chain disruptions in the car sector. Unlocking the recovery funds withheld from Brussels could play a key role in setting the budget, so Mr Orban is expected to fight for it, but it could be a long process. The EU has suspended payments to both Poland and Hungary from pandemic recovery funds due to democratic shortages, which economists say could put pressure on Budapest and Warsaw from the second half of the year, ruling out a compromise. “The expectation that there could be a relatively quick agreement with the European Commission (on EU funds) is questionable now, since in his speech last night Victor Orban repeatedly hit Brussels,” Peter Virovacz told ING in Budapest. “We can not expect his government, with a two-thirds majority now, to be as ready for a compromise as it would be with a simple majority in the election.” Pre-election polls showed a much narrower race. Surrounded by leading members of the party, a triumphant Mr Orban, 58, said Sunday’s victory came even with Brussels bureaucrats and the international media working together against him. “We have scored such a big victory that it can be seen even from the moon, but definitely from Brussels,” he said.
Majority in Parliament
According to preliminary results, Fidesz will have 135 seats, a two-thirds majority in parliament, with 56 seats going to the opposition coalition. Critics say the victory could inspire Mr Orban to what they say is an erosion of democratic rule, media freedom and the rights of LGBTQ people. “Without wanting to look too dramatic, it’s a tragedy. “It’s like the end of all the dreams one could have for democracy in Hungary,” said an EU official. “We should cut off money transfers so that he does not build his own oligarchy with our money.” In Poland, Mr Orban’s re-election was greeted with mixed feelings among the ruling nationalists. “Putin is a long-term threat to Hungary as well, and anyone who does not see this is making a big mistake,” Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said on Monday. With heavy sunshine after Sunday’s snowfall, some residents of Budapest, which remains a stronghold of the opposition with the coalition winning in 16 of the 18 constituencies, remained optimistic. “We are not happy. “I would like to stay in Europe, but I hope we stay in Europe a bit like that,” said Ianos Varadis. Others said Mr Orban’s stance on Ukraine, accusing the opposition of risking Hungary dragging itself into the war by seeking to allow arms shipments through its territory, played their part. “I did not hope for such a big victory, but I was sure that the current ruling party would win,” said Veronica Nagy, a language teacher. “I think it’s because of how the parties reacted to the war, maybe the … opposition made the world uncertain.” One of Europe’s longest-serving leaders, Mr Orban has been a strong supporter of anti-immigration policies and has been particularly popular with voters in rural areas who embrace his traditional Christian values and families who benefit from a range of tax cuts and discounts. for fuel and certain foods. With inflation hovering at a nearly 15-year high of 8.3 percent in February, Mr Orban will have a difficult task loosening some of his measures that have helped curb price growth ahead of the vote. Our Morning and Afternoon newsletters are compiled by Globe editors, giving you a brief overview of the day’s most important headlines. Register today.
