Hungary's Fidesz may change strategy vs Jobbik

Abstract

Subject The threat to ruling Fidesz from radical Jobbik. Significance With its popularity plummeting and competition increasing from left and right, Fidesz's chances of maintaining parliamentary dominance after 2018 seem much eroded, although a growing economy could benefit it. Its by-election defeat in April to far-right Jobbik, albeit by only 261 votes, carries symbolic weight. For the first time, the radical party won not only a single-member constituency rather than a party-list seat, but also one outside its traditional stronghold of eastern Hungary. Jobbik could become a direct electoral threat to the party in power. Impacts If Fidesz allied with far-right Jobbik, it would further tarnish its image abroad, adding fuel to already tense EU and US relations. Jobbik will further its attempts to moderate its ideology to widen its electoral base. Jobbik may start to pick up votes from both left- and right-wing parties.