Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUDAPEST2026
2006-10-06 13:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
THE LAND OF THE BLIND: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENTARY
how-toVZCZCXRO2428 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHUP #2026 2791345 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061345Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0135 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 002026
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC - DAMON WILSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2011
TAGS: PGOV KDEM HU
SUBJECT: THE LAND OF THE BLIND: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENTARY
CONFIDENCE VOTE
REF: BUDAPEST 2005 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 002026
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC - DAMON WILSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2011
TAGS: PGOV KDEM HU
SUBJECT: THE LAND OF THE BLIND: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENTARY
CONFIDENCE VOTE
REF: BUDAPEST 2005 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) Rumors abound as the October 6 confidence vote in
Prime Minister Gyurcsany approaches. Our sources understand
that FIDESZ may be in possession of another tape of the PM
and suspect they will time its release around the vote.
Local political consultant Krisztian Szabados advises that
FIDESZ has also quietly contracted with a local think tank to
prepare an independent - and reportedly more radical -
austerity plan.
2. (C) Szabados believes both camps are unsettled on the eve
of the vote. He described the MSZP as having gone "from
overconfidence to incompetence" between the April elections
and the release of the Gyurcsany tape, and he believes the
Prime Minister's support within the coalition will erode over
time. He sees FIDESZ as divided between Orban loyalists
intent on "avenging" their electoral losses and moderates
concerned by the party's inability to control the violence
its rhetoric might provoke. The result, he concluded, is
"democracy without responsibility," in which "the majority
holds office but cannot govern because the minority holds the
initiative."
3. (C) As Szabados also noted, the shadow of 1956 looms
large over the current debate. FIDESZ members talk sincerely
of the current showdown as a chance to "finally win the
revolution" and often describe their opposition as a struggle
against "communism." Although the government's convergence
plan represents an effort to address Hungary's future
priorities, FIDESZ continues to look resolutely backward,
blind to its own disturbing turn toward what Orban has termed
"popular democracy." As the 50th anniversary approaches,
Szabados agrees that the confidence vote is "not the end but
the beginning" (reftel). Whatever the results of the vote in
Parliament, he believes FIDESZ will step up its actions to
challenge - or openly obstruct - the government in the
streets.
FOLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC - DAMON WILSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2011
TAGS: PGOV KDEM HU
SUBJECT: THE LAND OF THE BLIND: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENTARY
CONFIDENCE VOTE
REF: BUDAPEST 2005 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) Rumors abound as the October 6 confidence vote in
Prime Minister Gyurcsany approaches. Our sources understand
that FIDESZ may be in possession of another tape of the PM
and suspect they will time its release around the vote.
Local political consultant Krisztian Szabados advises that
FIDESZ has also quietly contracted with a local think tank to
prepare an independent - and reportedly more radical -
austerity plan.
2. (C) Szabados believes both camps are unsettled on the eve
of the vote. He described the MSZP as having gone "from
overconfidence to incompetence" between the April elections
and the release of the Gyurcsany tape, and he believes the
Prime Minister's support within the coalition will erode over
time. He sees FIDESZ as divided between Orban loyalists
intent on "avenging" their electoral losses and moderates
concerned by the party's inability to control the violence
its rhetoric might provoke. The result, he concluded, is
"democracy without responsibility," in which "the majority
holds office but cannot govern because the minority holds the
initiative."
3. (C) As Szabados also noted, the shadow of 1956 looms
large over the current debate. FIDESZ members talk sincerely
of the current showdown as a chance to "finally win the
revolution" and often describe their opposition as a struggle
against "communism." Although the government's convergence
plan represents an effort to address Hungary's future
priorities, FIDESZ continues to look resolutely backward,
blind to its own disturbing turn toward what Orban has termed
"popular democracy." As the 50th anniversary approaches,
Szabados agrees that the confidence vote is "not the end but
the beginning" (reftel). Whatever the results of the vote in
Parliament, he believes FIDESZ will step up its actions to
challenge - or openly obstruct - the government in the
streets.
FOLEY