Mixed-race, illiberal state, serving Moscow: Fidesz’s Tusványos kicks off tomorrow with another probably provocative Orbán-speech

orbán tusványos
Photo: Facebook/Orbán Viktor

A rich programme awaits participants of the “Tusványos” 34th Bálványos Summer Open University and Student Camp organised by the Budapest-based Pro Minoritate foundation for minorities and the Transylvanian Hungarian Youth Council, starting on Tuesday in the Transylvanian resort of Baile Tusnad (Tusnádfürdő).

In 2005, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claimed that the leftist Gyurcsány government was serving Moscow’s interests. In 2014, he sparked international controversy by openly declaring Hungary to be an “illiberal state,” a term he used to describe a new political model focused on national interests over liberal democratic principles. Then, in 2022, Orbán stated that Hungarians were not a “mixed race” and expressed opposition to becoming one.

  • Independent MP Hadházy targets mysterious estate linked to Orbán in next protest

Rich programme awaits participants of 34th Bálványos summer university

Podium discussions of the war in Ukraine and Israel-Iran conflict, as well as the Romanian elections, will get top billing. Further, the causes and consequences of the disaster in Prajd and its long-term effects on the region’s tourism will be among highlighted topics, Krisztina Sándor, the director of political programming, said in a statement

Meanwhile, an airing will be given to schemes for Hungarian communities that the state secretariat for national policy has launched recently, with a national policy roundtable held on Friday morning.

Besides political decision-makers, many leaders of Hungarian corporate life and the banking sector will also attend, and topics such as energy security and the economic and financial challenges caused by the war situation will be on the event’s agenda.

Sándor said that for several years Romanian political leaders, worried about alienating their voters, had largely bypassed the summer university, which was established in the 1990s as a forum for Romanian-Hungarian dialogue. Whereas most participants “have similar political values”, Tusvanyos “has always been open to dialogue and the clash of different opinions,” she added.

Determining the political public discourse for weeks and months

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s speech on Saturday, “which will determine the political public discourse for weeks and months, not only in Transylvania and Hungary, but all the way to Brussels and beyond” was greatly anticipated, she added.

Usually, the prime minister talks about larger processes taking place and how governments, mainly the Hungarian government, planned to accommodate and harness them, Sándor noted. Orban also generally addresses the situation of Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin, she added.

Besides political discussions, the jamboree is also a festival embracing cultural events, concerts, theatre, sports and folk music and dance.

All participants must register in advance at tusvanyos.ro.

Click for more news concerning PM Orbán.

Tags