Gyurcsány and Orbán make conciliatory gestures, albeit not to each other

On March 15th, the 160th anniversary of the 1848 Revolution and Failed War of Independence, both Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and Fidesz Chairman Viktor Orbán gave speeches. While not being conciliatory to each other, they were in regards to the general population.

During the Fidesz rally Saturday afternoon, both Fidesz Vice Chairman Lajos Kósa and Orbán compared the current government to the Hungarian government in power prior to the 1848 revolution, which of course was subservient to Vienna’s interests. Kósa’s speech contained more humor than Orbán’s, but it was clear that in terms of easing their opposition to the government and the reform package, Fidesz is not considering either as an option.

In terms of the general population, however, following the referendum victory, which even surpassed Fidesz’s own expectations, not to mention pollster’s, the Fidesz chairman has not come out with claims that everyone who voted against the doctor visit fee, hospital day fee and university tuition are Fidesz supporters. Orbán has acknowledged that many of these supporters came from the disaffected Left. Consequently, Fidesz has pledged to take up more of an “open-arms” strategy in their opposition to the government.

Not only did the sweeping referendum victory strengthen Orbán’s position within Fidesz after a growing chorus calling for his departure, it validates his softer approach and quiet drift back toward the center, which has been going on for over half a year. As opposed to the counterproductive electoral strategy that saw Fidesz courting far-right voters in the 2002 and 2006 general elections, this new approach succeeded.

While undoubtedly many of the people who voted in favor of the Fidesz-initiated referendum still would not consider Orbán their political guiding light, this more centrist approach has made him far more palatable to them. Furthermore, this should also be taken as a reflection of the growing distaste among Fidesz supporters for the antics of the increasingly vocal but not powerful far-right, especially the actions of Jobbik and the quasi-paramilitary Hungarian Guard, which is closely affiliated with the far-right party.

Prime Minister Gyurcsány, who is also the Socialist Party Chairman, said during his own speech at the Palace of Arts Saturday evening that it is the responsibility of a nation’s leaders to not move at a pace or in a direction that the people are unwilling to follow, which was an acknowledgment of the government’s referendum loss. He added that for progress to occur, the nation must be a partner in the proceedings. Although including indirect (but obvious) barbs at the opposition, his speech recognized that mistakes have been made and suggested more pragmatic policies in the future, along with a tempering of the reform program.

Both party leaders promised more inclusive policies for the future last Saturday. Only time will tell if they deliver on these promises, although as it was made clear, these policies will be exclusive of the other party chairman.