As if we need any further evidence that Hungarian politics is mostly just a childish game of playground name-calling, a casual call by a politician for a bit more cooperation across partisan lines has led to lots of shouting and yelling. The brouhaha started when István Stumpf – the head of the right-leading Századvég foundation, and former chief-of-staff to former-PM (and current opposition head) Viktor Orbán – said on Klubrádió that Hungary much establish a more cooperative political culture, adding that politicians should base their programs on plans made by professionals, as voters are fed up with mere slogans. Intriguing, Stumpf went on to actually criticize the right, by saying that its program was one of sheer negativism. Just imagine!
Stumpf’s comments were immediately set on by critics in a piece in the Orbán hating-daily Népszava. Political scientist Zoltán Kiszelly told the paper that Fidesz would be unlikely to break bread with the government, as such a step would be seen in Orbánland as harmful to Fidesz’s election chances. Analyst József Debreczeni was even more stinging, saying that there is no chance of any political opening today in Hungary, as Orbán is unable to cooperate, because he believes that his political opponents are enemies rather than adversaries.
And speaking of enemies, Tibor Kovács, deputy caucus leader of the Socialists, said that instead of listening to Stumpf’s warning, Fidesz would probably distance itself from Századvég Alapítvány.
The article said Fidesz Spokesman Péter Szijjártó could not be reached for comment, though it was unclear if this was because he was actually unavailable, or just unwilling to cooperate on a story about cooperation.
