Slate News What Next | Lessons From Hungary
Feb 10, 2025
Gábor Scheiring, a former Hungarian parliament member and assistant professor at Georgetown University Qatar, shares insights on Viktor Orbán's regime. He discusses the alarming parallels between Orbán and Trump, focusing on rising authoritarianism and political polarization in both Hungary and the U.S. Scheiring emphasizes the importance of actively defending democracy and addresses the socio-economic struggles of Hungary's working class. He encourages strategic engagement from opposition parties to resonate with citizens' concerns and shape a more hopeful political future.
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Gabor's Bleak Perspective on Hungary
- Gabor Scheiring, a former Hungarian parliament member, witnessed Viktor Orban's rise to power.
- He describes a bleak, frustrated Hungary, changed by Orban's influence.
People, Not Institutions, Defend Democracy
- Orban targeted civil servants and the press, mirroring Trump's tactics.
- Gabor emphasizes that people, not institutions, must defend democracy.
Shared Struggles of Working Class
- Working-class families in Hungary struggled with economic shocks and inequality.
- Similar patterns emerged in the US, with working-class Americans facing hardship.