In the period between the first and second rounds of France's presidential election, Hungary, which has been governed for 12 years by nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, has come to play a central role in the campaign. "When the far-right starts to say 'I choose the journalists who can come or cannot come' (...), it does the same thing that they do in Hungary," said Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday April 12, in reference to Marine Le Pen barring journalists from French TV show Quotidien from one of her press conferences.
The Rassemblement National (RN) candidate's affinity for Hungary's 58-year-old leader, known for weakening his country's checks and balances, is well established. Mr. Orban officially lent his support to Ms. Le Pen in February. On Wednesday, April 13, she acknowledged that she and the Hungarian Prime Minister share "a vision" of "European organization" that involves "giving more power to nations and less to the EU."
In reality, the relationship between the two extends much further. One of Ms. Le Pen's main proposals, holding referendums on a wide range of political questions, has been used to great effect in Mr. Orban's Hungary. There, two referendums and a profusion of national consultations have helped him set the country's agenda. On April 3, when he was reelected with more than 54% of the vote, Hungarians were also asked to vote on "the promotion of sex change treatments for minors" and "the teaching of sexual orientation to minor children." The referendum was officially invalidated because of low participation, but the issue, along with the war in Ukraine, dominated the campaign.
'We're trying to take what works elsewhere'
Ms. Le Pen's program contains other policies that appear to be copied from Mr. Orban. These include "a home loan of up to €100,000" for families which would become a "grant" after the birth of a third child. Orban implemented a nearly identical measure, which has helped to slightly increase Hungary's birth rate (though it remains well below France's). "France has been a model for us in terms of demographic policies, and now the RN is looking at what Hungary has been doing, which is very good" said Adam Balazs, the head of international relations for Fidesz, Mr. Orban's party.
Another key aspect of Ms. Le Pen's program, the "processing of asylum applications exclusively abroad," has been Mr. Orban's policy since 2020, making it nearly impossible to apply for asylum in Hungary. The policy has made Hungary the subject to yet another of the European Commission's infringement procedures [a legal measure aimed at punishing violations of EU laws]. Ms. Le Pen wishes to exempt those under 30 from taxation. Mr. Orban has already done so for those under 25.
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