Rob Schmitz
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Podcast Appearances
For more on what motivated Hungary's electorate in this historic vote and the implications globally, I spoke with NPR's Esme Nicholson and political scientist Abel Boyar.
This is an historic day for Hungary.
It seems to be so.
And Esme, you were just out with supporters of TISA, the opposition party, and its candidate, Peter Magyar.
You just came back by bicycle.
What did you see there?
She sounds really happy.
What did they tell you specifically about Peter Magyar?
Who is he and why did he become so popular with voters?
Now, let's go to you, Abel Boyar.
For the past 16 years, Viktor Orban's government has changed the country's constitution.
It's purged judges.
It's consolidated the media.
It's managed to take control of some of the country's most prestigious universities, all in an effort to keep Viktor Orban, who has become a global symbol of the far right, in power as long as possible.
That didn't happen.
Will Orban still control some element of the government or not?
I'm also curious to hear your opinion about the oligarchy that Orban has created during his 16 years, the last 16 years while he was prime minister.
Is that going to retain some sort of control over society?
And how much power do you think Magyar will have to actually change things in Hungary?
From each of you briefly, what should we watch for next?