Snap election rumours debunked
February 13th, 2016A liberal analyst deems it highly unlikely that Fidesz would opt for calling a sudden general election.
On Hvg.hu Áron Varga quotes a series of rumours which are circulating on mailing lists, social media sites, and even news reports in mainstream media outlets suggesting that Viktor Orban is preparing to bring forward the general election scheduled for 2018.
Such claims weave the Prime Minister into an elaborate scheme aimed at rebuilding the 2/3 majority in parliament he lost a year ago, to allow his party to pass ‘the emergency state of terror’ bill. Such arguments, Varga continues, conclude with the end goal of declaring such an emergency, with all the extra powers (such as extended surveillance, censorship, governing by decrees, etc.) that would come with it. (See BudaPost January 25).
Tempting as these extra powers may be for an incumbent party, Fidesz has simply no interest in going for an early election, he asserts. That would normally be an option to consider in other scenarios, the analyst explains: e.g. when a governing party’s popularity is rapidly decreasing, but it is still strong enough to win an election, if it were to be held in the very near future. Under those circumstances, and when the governing party is sure to lose later, it might bring the date forward.
Fidesz, however, has nothing to be afraid of, Varga suggests, as the party seems very likely to win the elections in 2018 anyway. It is predestined for victory by its incredibly strong economic and media hinterland. Áron Varga quotes a series of rumours which are circulating on mailing lists, social media sites, and even news reports in mainstream media outlets suggesting that Viktor Orban is preparing to bring forward the general election scheduled for 2018.
Such claims weave the Prime Minister into an elaborate scheme aimed at rebuilding the 2/3 majority in parliament he lost a year ago, to allow his party to pass ‘the emergency state of terror’ bill. Such arguments, Varga continues, conclude with the end goal of declaring such an emergency, with all the extra powers (such as extended surveillance, censorship, governing by decrees, etc.) that would come with it. (See BudaPost January 25).
Tempting as these extra powers may be for an incumbent party, Fidesz has simply no interest in going for an early election, he asserts. That would normally be an option to consider in other scenarios, the analyst explains: e.g. when a governing party’s popularity is rapidly decreasing, but it is still strong enough to win an election, if it were to be held in the very near future. Under those circumstances, and when the governing party is sure to lose later, it might bring the date forward.
Fidesz, however, has nothing to be afraid of, Varga suggests, as the party seems very likely to win the elections in 2018 anyway. It is predestined for victory by its incredibly strong economic and media hinterland.