Contemporary Hungarian politics and the voice that moves the nation

In investigating the recent past of the Hungarian political scene, one might become perplexed by the anti-establishment rhetoric that has helped propel Viktor Orban's government to fame. In order to better understand why Hungary behaves the way it does when pressed by an outside political or cultural entity, it is essential to explore aspects of Hungarian national identity. Viktor Orban's Fidesz has been successful in the last two Hungarian election cycles by winning and maintaining nearly two-thirds of the country's parliamentary seats. While some of Fidesz' success can be attributed to basic gerrymandering techniques and its ability to dismantle the opposition, it is Prime Minister Orban's charismatic leadership that is the driving force behind the party's popularity. This poses the query as to why Orban is so successful and prompts examination of his political persona and the use of conceptual metaphor and voicing in his political oratory. This charismatic oratory, in its increasingly authoritarian style, has been successful in convincing party supporters that Western European ideals and liberalism will not continue to work in Hungary, and that the country must turn away from the European Union, when just a decade ago, membership in the EU was a matter of national pride. Orban likens characteristic elements of Hungarian identity, like isolationism, loneliness, and individualism to nationalism and strength, creating a Western ideological enemy which forces Hungarians to band together and defend Orban's designated national ideals. He frequently reminds his supporters of the historical events of 1989 and his role in them, the tragedy of Trianon, and the 1848-49 Freedom Fight and War of Independence, maintaining the construction of a historically based Hungarian national identity. By examining Orban's rhetorical person, or voice, and his use of conceptual metaphor, this thesis will suggest that the way in which Orban deploys elements of Hungarian national identity and history in political oratory are, in part, responsible for Fidesz' sizable voting base.