Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUDAPEST430
2009-06-16 12:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:  

ORBAN AND FIDESZ: READY TO GOVERN

Tags:  PREL PGOV HU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0585
RR RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG
DE RUEHUP #0430/01 1671216
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161216Z JUN 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4246
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 000430 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/CE FOR JAMIE LAMORE. PLEASE PASS TO JEFF HOVENIER AT
THE NSC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HU
SUBJECT: ORBAN AND FIDESZ: READY TO GOVERN

REF: BUDAPEST 410

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 000430

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/CE FOR JAMIE LAMORE. PLEASE PASS TO JEFF HOVENIER AT
THE NSC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HU
SUBJECT: ORBAN AND FIDESZ: READY TO GOVERN

REF: BUDAPEST 410


1. (SBU) Summary. FIDESZ is feeling good and is ready to
govern - a confident and relaxed Viktor Orban told an
international audience in Budapest on June 10, three days
after scoring a major victory in the European Parliament
elections. While acknowledging that the economy is the most
important issue of the day, Orban declined to divulge
specifics of his party's plans for addressing economic
issues. FIDESZ is not interested in coalition governing -
and Orban emphasized he will not cooperate with radical right
forces. End summary.

--------------
Looking Abroad
--------------


2. (SBU) The party's capture of 56 percent and 14 seats
(reftel),Orban said was a "record" in Europe, and a
"European victory," adding that assistance from Germany's
Chancellor Merkel and Italian PM Berlusconi have been
invaluable. (Comment: During election campaigns, Orban has
regularly made a point of seeking out meetings, often
amounting to little more than a photo-op, with foreign
leaders presumed to be sympathetic towards FIDESZ. End
Comment.)


3. (SBU) Several times during his speech, delivered at a
breakfast event of the pro-FIDESZ Budapest Atlantic Forum,
Orban commented that as an opposition leader, he is free to
speak his mind, and does not have to worry about being
politically correct. In this vein, he noted that the United
States was unpopular during the Bush administration because
of the President himself, and is unpopular now because it was
the epicenter of the global financial crisis.

--------------
Domestic Policies and Plans
--------------


4. (SBU) Looking ahead to general elections next year (or
earlier, if FIDESZ has its way),"a simple majority in
Parliament is all FIDESZ needs," Orban announced. Recalling
his time as Prime Minister from 19998-2002, Orban pointed out
that a coalition of three parties was "difficult" to manage -
"never again." In the upcoming elections FIDESZ will secure
a comfortable majority, and will cooperate with neither the
"far right nor with the far left", according to Orban. The
56 percent of the votes obtained last week is enough proof,
Orban added, that FIDESZ will not need to cooperate with
anyone. (Comment. Interestingly, Orban was the only party
leader during post-election broadcasts who did not comment on

the extreme-right Jobbik party's strong showing in the EP
elections, perhaps reflecting his effort to marginalize them
prior to the upcoming national elections. End comment.)


5. (SBU) The party chairman elaborated on what he referred to
as his "political creed": his most important values are
family, church, and the nation. In domestic politics, Orban
said he has spent the last fifteen years working to create a
center-right party, with the goal of obtaining "at least 50
percent of the seats in Parliament." Today, however, a
two-thirds majority is within closer reach than it was just
two weeks ago. Continuing, Orban said that ultimately,
Hungary appears to be moving toward a "one-party" system, and
that one party will be FIDESZ, facing no real competition
from smaller political entities.


6. (SBU) When asked to explain what specific actions FIDESZ
would take to boost the economy, Orban said he is "a lawyer
(albeit one who never practiced),not an economist."
Offering a long response, but little insight into planned
measures, he said the "state needs money" and "we will cut
taxes." Reforms resulting in "simple and low" taxes will
make doing business in Hungary attractive for enterprises.
Bureaucracy and corruption must be addressed as well, he
said, again without explaining specifics. FIDESZ will also
initiate a new agreement with the IMF which, interestingly,
Orban equated with "the Americans" throughout his remarks.


7. (U) On the issue of Roma integration, Orban announced that
"the Roma have already voted for FIDESZ," the only party able
to guarantee their security. FIDESZ is also the sole party
which will provide "law, order, and employment."

--------------
Comment

BUDAPEST 00000430 002 OF 002


--------------


8. (SBU) Speaking to a sympathetic crowd of approximately 120
people, Orban was clearly at ease and very comfortable with
his party's current direction and recent performance. FIDESZ
sources indicate that the party is indeed ready - and willing
- to take over governing "at any moment." Interestingly,
however, Orban regularly declines to provide much insight
into specific measures his party would propose, and his
message is often confined to a repetition of FIDESZ
accomplishments during its time in office (1998-2002).
Several FIDESZ interlocutors have told us that, by design,
FIDESZ is holding their "reform" cards close to the chest, as
they recognize they too will have some tough decisions to
make to restructure the Hungarian political, economic, health
care, and social support systems. Critical of the United
States and certain EU leaders, Orban gave the impression of a
leader who possesses enough political and social backing that
he does not have to worry too much about niceties and paying
lip service to the international community. The vote for the
FIDESZ Party President at their June 13 national congress
reflected the strength of Orban's support - he received 1211
of the 1216 votes cast.
Levine