Understanding the Hungarian Prime Minister means recognizing the main trends represented by Fidesz in Hungary, which have also gained ground in neighboring countries and which would have remained in the minority without advocates, said French historian Thibaud Gibelin at the launch of his book Viktor Orbán plays for victory. According to the author, Hungary today has a much greater political weight in the world than its territory would justify.
In a few years, Viktor Orbán became the face of Central Europe for the French public. Understanding the Hungarian Prime Minister means recognizing the main tendencies represented by Fidesz in Hungary, which have also gained ground in neighboring countries and which would have remained in the minority without advocates, said French historian Thibaud Gibelin at the presentation of his book Viktor Orbán plays for victory in Budapest on Tuesday. The guest lecturer at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) revealed that he first noticed political events in Hungary as a university student. However, between 2014 and 2018 - when he worked in the European Parliament - he realized how decisive Hungary's position had become in the union, especially on the issue of migration.
According to the author, the Hungarian position on migration and the values of the "post-Western world" can serve as a model for all European countries.
He also called our country's foreign policy very important. He believed that the opening to the East is not only useful for Hungary, but also shows that it is possible to establish partnership relations outside the Western world.
Orbán has become the face of Central Europe/Photo/Miklós Teknős
Hungary is a good example of how a country can increase its room for maneuver and represent its interests even in addition to EU treaties, if it has the necessary political will. Hungary has a much greater political weight in the world than its territory would justify. France could already have more room for maneuver, but the political will and stability are lacking, he noted. When asked what he wanted to say to French readers, he answered the following:
I would like to demonstrate the background of the series of victories of a conservative government, because the French media painted a false picture of all this. I also want to show that it is possible to be conservative and successful at the same time.
Thibaud Gibelin also aimed to present Central Europe, the culture of the region, his own point of view in a historical perspective, because the French mostly focus on their own point of view, according to which France is the center of European civilization, the Western world, everything else around it is a periphery . According to him, French readers may still remain divided regarding the assessment of Hungary, but at least now they can acquire facts-based knowledge about our country. – I hope that with my book I was able to draw attention to the fact that the diversity of Europe is not only the motto of the European Union, but also the reality. And the Hungarian reality can provide Europe with valuable lessons - concluded the author.
Source: Hungarian Nation
Featured image: Mandiner/Dávid Mátrai
