Europe should avoid giving a gift to the pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Harsh criticism could turn him into “the only person capable of defending Hungarian interests” in the eyes of voters, according to Politico.
Recently, at the Brussels summit, EU leaders united in sharp criticism of Orbán after he once again categorically refused to approve critically important financial aid for Ukraine.
Is Europe trapped?
However, in doing so, EU leaders may have fallen into Orbán’s trap, inadvertently increasing his chances of winning the parliamentary elections by allowing him to present himself at home as the only person capable of defending Hungarian interests, a favorite argument of his.
As French MEP Chloé Ridel points out, there is no sense in playing into Orbán’s electoral scenario by giving him the opportunity to mobilize his voter base, rally supporters, and possibly persuade undecided voters.
Hungarian streets under the flag of populism: Zelenskyy becomes a target
Orbán’s entire election campaign is built on criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with posters featuring offensive depictions plastered across Hungarian streets.
In addition, Hungary recently stole $82 million in cash and gold from Ukraine and accused Kyiv of attacks on its oil pipelines.
Yet Ukraine remains calm and does not respond to these humiliating provocations.
Orbán positions himself as a fighter against darkness
All four of Orbán’s previous election campaigns have been built around the idea that Hungary faces a dark and dangerous external threat, portraying him as the only one capable of protecting a besieged country surrounded by treacherous enemies.
These enemies have ranged from faceless financial magnates, international national institutions, and transnational leftist elites to, of course, the European Union.
