Not sure. Magyar is a bit of a mixed bag with some embarrassing (at least) allegations re his personal and political life. Politically I think he’s a pro EU centrist (I think he describes himself as a conservative liberal!)
We’ll see. I hope it signals a move back from the high watermark of far rightists in European politics. (I think Trump’s shenanigans are increasingly unpopular in Europe and I’m hoping that aids an electoral trend away from MAGA style nationalism).
(In other news Rory McIlroy just won the Masters Gilf Tournament for the second year running. I don’t think that has any political significance for Europe but it sure made me happy!)
I'm hoping there will soon be some decent comment pieces in the press about the consequences of the Hungarian election. It feels like it's a big deal but I don't have enough information about how it's likely to play out.
On the golf I'm afraid I got nothing!
As regards the far-right stuff, there was a bit of good news in this county (Kent, UK) the other day, when a by-election saw a Green Party councillor replace someone from Reform.
Kent County Council is supposed to be Reform's 'flagship' local authority, but has been plagued by infighting, whilst the opposition parties look on...
Clearly an approach shot rather than the hoped-for hole in 1.
🤣😊
Apparently Trump admires McIlroy. He could do worse than take a few leaves out of McIlroy’s book. About honesty, approachability, keeping one’s feet on the ground despite wealth and success.
I got home last night to put on the news to endless Hungarians coming on screen to say how wonderful the result is, that they now feel proud to be Hungarian and not apologise for Orbin. I suspect that Vance putting in an appearance to promote Orbin (while complaining about European nations interfering in the election by expressing support for Magyar) and the endorsement by Trump may have backfired, I'm not sure Trump is aware of how unpopular he is in Europe and the extent to which his endorsement of someone sends voters looking at the other candidates.
Magyar is more pro-EU than Orbin, more supportive of Ukraine and more opposed to Putin. But, he's still not a progressive - it seems to be a step in the right direction.
The result does reflect some growing movements in Europe - generally towards stronger European integration (including in defence where a partnership with the US is looking less appealing), and away from the extreme right. That doesn't mean the extreme right aren't still significant players, but it is looking like their wave may have crested and it's downhill from here.
Given how well his interventions have gone so far, can we get JD Vance to come here to express his support for Reform before the council elections?
I was still.... what's the right word... disappointed in the inevitable...when he made the intervention in another country's electoral process, given the fuss that was made over a few Labour party staffers volunteering their own time and money to work on the Harris/Waltz campaign.
Though I have been pleasantly surprised by the grace with which Orban seems to have accepted defeat; I expected a more Trumpian denialism.
A BBC pundit opined, in post Soviet-Hungary, whether the group in power is left or right, there will always be endemic corruption.
But let's hope for better times!
Not sure. Magyar is a bit of a mixed bag with some embarrassing (at least) allegations re his personal and political life. Politically I think he’s a pro EU centrist (I think he describes himself as a conservative liberal!)
Well he was a long stand member (20 years or so ) of Fidesz, so I'm not sure how you are reading 'centrist' except subjectively.
He's made noises in favour of privatisation and is in theoretical favour of joining the Euro, so looks more like an early Thatcher figure if anything.
Comments
We’ll see. I hope it signals a move back from the high watermark of far rightists in European politics. (I think Trump’s shenanigans are increasingly unpopular in Europe and I’m hoping that aids an electoral trend away from MAGA style nationalism).
(In other news Rory McIlroy just won the Masters Gilf Tournament for the second year running. I don’t think that has any political significance for Europe but it sure made me happy!)
On the golf I'm afraid I got nothing!
Kent County Council is supposed to be Reform's 'flagship' local authority, but has been plagued by infighting, whilst the opposition parties look on...
🤣😊
Apparently Trump admires McIlroy. He could do worse than take a few leaves out of McIlroy’s book. About honesty, approachability, keeping one’s feet on the ground despite wealth and success.
Magyar is more pro-EU than Orbin, more supportive of Ukraine and more opposed to Putin. But, he's still not a progressive - it seems to be a step in the right direction.
The result does reflect some growing movements in Europe - generally towards stronger European integration (including in defence where a partnership with the US is looking less appealing), and away from the extreme right. That doesn't mean the extreme right aren't still significant players, but it is looking like their wave may have crested and it's downhill from here.
I was still.... what's the right word... disappointed in the inevitable...when he made the intervention in another country's electoral process, given the fuss that was made over a few Labour party staffers volunteering their own time and money to work on the Harris/Waltz campaign.
Though I have been pleasantly surprised by the grace with which Orban seems to have accepted defeat; I expected a more Trumpian denialism.
But let's hope for better times!
I'll get me coat ...
@Alan Cresswell - I doubt if Trump loses any sleep over his unpopularity in Europe - or anywhere else for that matter.
He'd simply see it as confirmation that he's on the right track.
On Hungary ... too early to say.
Well he was a long stand member (20 years or so ) of Fidesz, so I'm not sure how you are reading 'centrist' except subjectively.
He's made noises in favour of privatisation and is in theoretical favour of joining the Euro, so looks more like an early Thatcher figure if anything.