Orbán tightens grip on Fidesz even after major election loss
Viktor Orbán (Photo: Getty Images)
On Saturday, Viktor Orbán was re-elected as leader of Hungary's Fidesz party, despite growing domestic discontent following the historic election defeat, according to Bloomberg.
The voting results showed that the former Hungarian prime minister continues to dominate, even though public support has generally declined after Fidesz moved into opposition following 16 years in power.
According to the results, Orbán received 729 votes out of 737. There were no votes against, with only 8 abstentions.
Recent public opinion polls show a bleak picture for the Fidesz party. It has been losing support since its crushing defeat in April by the rising Tisza party.
In particular, polls show that the Tisza party of the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar enjoys nearly three times more support among voters than Fidesz.
Bloomberg notes that in his speech at the party congress in Budapest, the 63-year-old Orbán called Magyar a viceroy serving Western interests. He accused the new government of undermining national sovereignty, warning that until autumn, Hungary will resist this constant abuse.
The defeated prime minister acknowledged responsibility for the strategic mistakes that led to Fidesz's defeat, but stated that he is still the right person to lead the party's revival.
What else is known
Several weeks ago, the media reported that within the American MAGA movement, scenarios were being discussed in which Orbán could receive a high-ranking position at the UN. The key goal would be the diplomatic immunity that such a position would provide.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the Tisza party has submitted a bill in parliament aimed at liquidating Orbán's media empire. It concerns the reform of state media to make them independent sources of information.
