Orban – a champion of illiberal “Christian democracy” – just won reelection to a fourth consecutive term. He remains a popular figure in Hungary despite policies over the last decade that have eroded the independence of government institutions like the judiciary, hampered freedom of the press and civil society, and curbed the rights of minority groups.
For these reasons, Orban shouldn’t be considered the ascendant leader of Western democracy. Still, a vocal minority on the American right view illiberal strongmen, and even authoritarian ones like Vladimir Putin, as needed bulwarks of traditional religious values against progressive “wokeism.” They admire the use of political power to promote a Christian national identity (though defining that concept is fuzzy), restrict immigration, and fight the left on culture war issues like gender identity.
Read Full Article »