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Rocky Martiano
Rocky Martiano
2 months ago

A lot of words to say not very much. Tedious repetition of the epithet ‘populist’ without any attempt to define what it means.
The writer could have said ‘Viktor Orban, favourite target of European elites, rebuilds Budapest in traditional style. Some people don’t like it’ We would have got the message.
Unherd must be desperate for content to print this verbiage.

Benedict Waterson
Benedict Waterson
2 months ago
Reply to  Rocky Martiano

“A great many things keep happening – some of them good, some of them bad.”

My favourite quote.

David Yetter
David Yetter
2 months ago
Reply to  Rocky Martiano

Why should one define “populist”? It has a well-defined meaning: a political tendency that claims to champion the interests of the populace at large against those of an elite portrayed as corrupt. Of course, the term is only an epithet in circumstances where there is not, in fact, a corrupt elite. I think in the context of the European Union, “populist” should probably be considered a badge of honor, rather than an epithet.

Rocky Martiano
Rocky Martiano
2 months ago
Reply to  David Yetter

That’s one definition. “Within political science and other social sciences, several different definitions of populism have been employed, with some scholars proposing that the term be rejected altogether” (Wiki).
The term is used indiscriminately in mainstream media, usually pejoratively, to denote any movement considered to be outside the political consensus approved by those same elites.
Given that Orban and Fidesz have been in power for 14 years, are they still ‘populist’ or have they become the new ‘corrupt elite’?

Peter B
Peter B
2 months ago

True. But at least it tells us what a fantastic city Budapest is. Passed through two years ago and was really impressed. Also by the fact that you can walk around the centre and see ordinary people actually living there – families with young children – not just rich people, businesses and tourists. The restoration of the Castle Hill area is excellent.
The Imre Nagy statue is near the parliament. Don’t be fooled into thinking he was some sort of hero though. Lifelong Communist who did some pretty unpleasant stuff.

UnHerd Reader
UnHerd Reader
2 months ago
Reply to  Peter B

Love your observation about ‘ordinary people’ living there actually… in stark contrast to London for example (an elite abomination ). One reason among many that I love Budapest.

Not sure about Inre Nagy though. Communism was good for many people.

Hunky Dory
Hunky Dory
2 months ago

Let me help out Mr Columnist with Insight why Orban is spending on construction big time: that’s where they can steal HUGE amounts of public money. That’s it. It’s not just old-style buildings they are into but rat ugly stadiums, contemporary glass cube rubbish, you name it, they are all over the country.
It would be really nice if journos actually visited the places they write about and ask anyone else but their favourite think-tanks.
Happy to have clarified this.

Fafa Fafa
Fafa Fafa
1 month ago
Reply to  Hunky Dory

Guess who gets most of the contracts – his buddies and family members.

Luca Del Bianco
Luca Del Bianco
2 months ago

I spent few weeks in Budapest between December 2023 and January 2024 : I liked the city but there were plenty of people unhappy with Orban government . Talking to locals I was told Mr Orban and allies are quite corrupted : they are a one party state. Lots of ordinary poor people rummaging rubbish bins in the cold , homeless all over and a rubbish currency ( Florint ) which has been pushing inflation, groceries and average cost of living way up and unaffordable to middle class folks. Shall I live there? Not a chance, Budapest is good to visit and by the way most locals are quite unfriendly and miserable looking .

El Uro
El Uro
2 months ago

Hungarian complicity in the Holocaust
.
Who can named me a European country without complicity in the Holocaust?