Kormányon a radikális jobboldal?
The radical right in government?

The pledges of Jobbik in Hungarian legislation (2010–2014)

Summary/Abstract: It has been a recurring topic of Hungarian public speech since the change of government in 2010 that Fidesz–KDNP, in government with a qualifi ed majority, puts the political program of the opposition party Jobbik (Movement for a Better Hungary) into practice. Studying the election programs of both parties, our research investigates which party’s topics are more in line with the legislation agenda of the period 2010–2014, and what kind of strategy Fidesz used to oppose the major election pledges of Jobbik. We argue that the themes of Jobbik’s program resemble the legislation topics of the second Orbán government more than that of Fidesz. The qualifi ed majority dominated by legislation took on a typically adaptive strategy against the radical opposition, therefore the widespread opinion that Fidesz implements the program of Jobbik concerning matters important for the latter is to be treated with reservation. Although in matters prioritized by Jobbik the qualifi ed majority opted for an adaptive strategy in nine cases out of eighteen major topics, in three of these cases the issues were considered important by Fidesz–KDNP as well, and in fi ve further cases we can talk about ideological similarities. The remaining case is considered as a general strategic government goal.

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