With a record voter turnout of 80% in Hungary, a desire for change and an end to the current model of government is emerging, international analyst Vladimir Vladimirov commented to bTV. And he criticized Orban by saying that he is the most anti-Bulgarian politician in the European Union.
"Hungary is returning to where it belongs", Vladimirov pointed out, who very much hopes that at least the media campaign against Bulgaria will stop and we will reach a normal conversation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia about good neighborliness, friendship and infrastructure.
"With a record voter turnout of 80%, this means that more than two-thirds of the people in Hungary went to the polls. It shows several things. It shows a desire for change from the current situation, the current model. And we can say quite calmly - after 16 years of Mr. Orban's rule - a change in the status quo", said Vladimirov.
According to him, the symbolism surrounding the opposition party "Tisza" is also interesting. "Tisza is the river of Hungary, which flows through most of the country. The analogy is with unification." He emphasized that many opposition formations have given up their own candidates in support of the new political project.
"We can summarize that the Hungarians went to the polls to say "no, stop" of the Orban model, associated with corruption, oligarchy and lack of rule of law", the analyst pointed out.
He also highlighted the economic situation as a key factor: "There is another factor that I would personally note very seriously, and this is the galloping inflation and the impoverishment of Hungarians in recent years", added Vladimirov.
Vladimir Vladimirov outlined three main geopolitical vectors in Hungary. "In Budapest, during Orban's rule, several geopolitical vectors intersect." According to him, the leading one is the Russian one: "You see that Viktor Orban in these years, especially in the last 4-5, has been Putin's main supporter in the European Union."
As a second factor, he pointed to the USA. This is the other geopolitical vector that has been felt in recent years, Vladimirov pointed out.
The third factor is China: "Let's not forget the third player on the field. This is Xi Jinping and Chinese influence", he added.
Vladimirov emphasized the role of Hungary as an entry point. Hungary has become a gateway for Chinese interest and investment, but I would also say for Chinese influence, the expert said.
He emphasized that the new government will have broad powers. It already has a qualified two-thirds majority in the Hungarian parliament, which allows it to make all reforms, Vladimirov added.
Former constitutional judge Georgi Markov, who lives in Hungary, also joined the conversation on bTV. He stated that "for 2.5 million supporters of Viktor Orban, among whom I am, there is no reason to rejoice. Democracy is in the rotation.
However, Markov rejected the thesis of an economic collapse. "It is not true that Hungary is becoming poor, because the state cannot be poor, but it gives the 13th and 14th pensions."
He also highlighted social policies: "Nor should it give 30 thousand euros to every mother under 40 who has a child, and exempt mothers with three children from taxes for life."
According to him, inflation is low. "So inflation is currently below 2%." According to him, the reason for the result is different: "He has simply been in power for a very long time now," commented Markov.