Viktor Orban, head of the main opposition Fidesz party, made his state of the nation speech without statements involving any political risk and addressing voters at the centre, analysts told MTI on Friday.
Agoston Samuel Mraz of the Nezopont Institute said that the speech was “pragmatic” and did not contain any surprising announcements. Orban made an effort to “speak from the core of society”, but also addressing disappointed voters on the left, as well as those with leanings to radical nationalism, Mraz said.
Attila Juhasz of think tank Political Capital said that Orban’s decision to make generic statements rather than actual details of his party’s plans served to minimise the possible risk involved. According to Juhasz, Fidesz – the likely winner of the general elections in April – wants to fully mobilise its voter base, and discourage voters of the rival parties from turning up at the polls. That is why “Orban said nothing which could have been used to mobilise Socialist voters,” he said.
Kornelia Magyar, head of the Progressive Institute, said that Orban’s speech had been “pleasantly boring and lukewarm”. The speaker took great care not to mention concrete details, but gave important directions when he mentioned the importance of protectionism in economic policy or supporting domestic protection, she said.
Orban is “walking a tight rope” because being vague about his programme provides too much opportunity for the media and experts to attack him, Magyar said.
