Guardian interview: Márki-Zay’s plan to beat Orbán
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A extensive article about the Hungarian opposition PM candidate Péter Márki-Zay has been published in the Guardian. It touched on the upcoming elections scheduled for April 2022 as well as the politician’s plans to beat Orbán.
The article briefly recalls how the political history of Hungary has developed since Orbán came to power, and also points out that the action of a united opposition may be the biggest challenge for the current PM so far since his 2010 election. Róbert László, an analyst at Political Capital, told the newspaper that no one had previously expected a right-wing player to eventually lead the center-left opposition, and one of Márki-Zay’s superpowers might be that he could not be identified as a left-wing character, according to 444.hu.
Read more: Here is the final result: Márki-Zay wins opposition primary
According to László, Márki-Zay’s candidacy also confused the propaganda machine of Fidesz (Orbán’s party), as he is not a liberal intellectual, but rather looks like a member of Fidesz (someone who joined the older more conservative generation). The article highlights that although Márki-Zay was never a party member, he did vote for Fidesz until 2010. As the candidate told the newspaper, Fidesz’s populism and the way they turned more and more corrupt and betrayed Western values became outrageous after a while. “Orbán has changed, not me,” said Mark-Zay.
The article also points out that when talking to journalists, Márki-Zay always tries to separate his own moderated conservative faith from that of Orbán, who speaks of defending the Christian culture of Hungary and Europe. As he asserts:
Hungary will be in trouble if this incompetent door to door salesman is elected. He will be easily blackmailed by Brussels, Soros and the Marxist left.
Whereas the corrupt existing PM is being easily manipulated by Russia and China. After all, he’s sold us out.
The problem with Marki-Zay is how can he convince those outside of Budapest that he is a moderate conservative when he is aligned with those whose views are the polar opposite of his?
With Orban, at least you know what you are voting for. With Marki-Zay it is very uncertain because while he can say all these nice things such as how he agrees with the border stance. The moment the opposition gets in power, if they win the election, they may turn on him/on one another.
Nevertheless, this will be one very interesting election to watch.