Viktor Orbán has been a significant influence on Donald Trump and other right-wing figures regarding the undermining of democracy.
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As noted by Sarah Jones from The Daily:
Republicans have been observing strategies from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on how to erode democracy. Hungary exemplifies the subtle form of authoritarianism that Republicans aim to achieve. Worldwide, conservatives strive to overcome international liberalism, leading to increased pressure on western democracies.
An Orbán-inspired tactic involves manipulating the law to seize power. If their objectives are illegal, they alter the law to legalize their actions. They then defend these legal changes by invoking fundamental principles, which is particularly ironic as they strip power from the populace while claiming to uphold popular sovereignty — the idea that governmental power derives from the people’s consent. When accused of power misuse, they assert, “this is my democratic mandate.”
Orbán has visited the White House, spoken at CPAC, and has been held up by MAGA as a vision for the United States’ future.
In Hungary, Orbán has weakened democratic institutions and centralized authority, maintaining close ties with Putin and frequently challenging the EU.
The defeat of Orbán signifies a pivotal moment in the worldwide struggle for democracy.
