VZCZCXRO0585
RR RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG
DE RUEHUP #0430/01 1671216
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161216Z JUN 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4246
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 000430 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
EUR/CE FOR JAMIE LAMORE. PLEASE PASS TO JEFF HOVENIER AT 
THE NSC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV HU
SUBJECT: ORBAN AND FIDESZ: READY TO GOVERN 
 
REF: BUDAPEST 410 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  FIDESZ is feeling good and is ready to 
govern - a confident and relaxed Viktor Orban told an 
international audience in Budapest on June 10, three days 
after scoring a major victory in the European Parliament 
elections.  While acknowledging that the economy is the most 
important issue of the day, Orban declined to divulge 
specifics of his party's plans for addressing economic 
issues.  FIDESZ is not interested in coalition governing - 
and Orban emphasized he will not cooperate with radical right 
forces.  End summary. 
 
-------------- 
Looking Abroad 
-------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) The party's capture of 56 percent and 14 seats 
(reftel), Orban said was a "record" in Europe, and a 
"European victory," adding that assistance from Germany's 
Chancellor Merkel and Italian PM Berlusconi have been 
invaluable.  (Comment: During election campaigns, Orban has 
regularly made a point of seeking out meetings, often 
amounting to little more than a photo-op, with foreign 
leaders presumed to be sympathetic towards FIDESZ.  End 
Comment.) 
 
¶3. (SBU)  Several times during his speech, delivered at a 
breakfast event of the pro-FIDESZ Budapest Atlantic Forum, 
Orban commented that as an opposition leader, he is free to 
speak his mind, and does not have to worry about being 
politically correct.  In this vein, he noted that the United 
States was unpopular during the Bush administration because 
of the President himself, and is unpopular now because it was 
the epicenter of the global financial crisis. 
 
--------------------------- 
Domestic Policies and Plans 
--------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Looking ahead to general elections next year (or 
earlier, if FIDESZ has its way), "a simple majority in 
Parliament is all FIDESZ needs," Orban announced.  Recalling 
his time as Prime Minister from 19998-2002, Orban pointed out 
that a coalition of three parties was "difficult" to manage - 
"never again."  In the upcoming elections FIDESZ will secure 
a comfortable majority, and will cooperate with neither the 
"far right nor with the far left", according to Orban.  The 
56 percent of the votes obtained last week is enough proof, 
Orban added, that FIDESZ will not need to cooperate with 
anyone.  (Comment.  Interestingly, Orban was the only party 
leader during post-election broadcasts who did not comment on 
the extreme-right Jobbik party's strong showing in the EP 
elections, perhaps reflecting his effort to marginalize them 
prior to the upcoming national elections.  End comment.) 
 
¶5. (SBU) The party chairman elaborated on what he referred to 
as his "political creed": his most important values are 
family, church, and the nation.  In domestic politics, Orban 
said he has spent the last fifteen years working to create a 
center-right party, with the goal of obtaining "at least 50 
percent of the seats in Parliament."  Today, however, a 
two-thirds majority is within closer reach than it was just 
two weeks ago.  Continuing, Orban said that ultimately, 
Hungary appears to be moving toward a "one-party" system, and 
that one party will be FIDESZ, facing no real competition 
from smaller political entities. 
 
¶6. (SBU)  When asked to explain what specific actions FIDESZ 
would take to boost the economy, Orban said he is "a lawyer 
(albeit one who never practiced), not an economist." 
Offering a long response, but little insight into planned 
measures, he said the "state needs money" and "we will cut 
taxes."  Reforms resulting in "simple and low" taxes will 
make doing business in Hungary attractive for enterprises. 
Bureaucracy and corruption must be addressed as well, he 
said, again without explaining specifics.  FIDESZ will also 
initiate a new agreement with the IMF which, interestingly, 
Orban equated with "the Americans" throughout his remarks. 
 
¶7. (U) On the issue of Roma integration, Orban announced that 
"the Roma have already voted for FIDESZ," the only party able 
to guarantee their security.  FIDESZ is also the sole party 
which will provide "law, order, and employment." 
 
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Comment 
 
BUDAPEST 00000430  002 OF 002 
 
 
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¶8. (SBU) Speaking to a sympathetic crowd of approximately 120 
people, Orban was clearly at ease and very comfortable with 
his party's current direction and recent performance.  FIDESZ 
sources indicate that the party is indeed ready - and willing 
- to take over governing "at any moment."  Interestingly, 
however, Orban regularly declines to provide much insight 
into specific measures his party would propose, and his 
message is often confined to a repetition of FIDESZ 
accomplishments during its time in office (1998-2002). 
Several FIDESZ interlocutors have told us that, by design, 
FIDESZ is holding their "reform" cards close to the chest, as 
they recognize they too will have some tough decisions to 
make to restructure the Hungarian political, economic, health 
care, and social support systems.  Critical of the United 
States and certain EU leaders, Orban gave the impression of a 
leader who possesses enough political and social backing that 
he does not have to worry too much about niceties and paying 
lip service to the international community.  The vote for the 
FIDESZ Party President at their June 13 national congress 
reflected the strength of Orban's support - he received 1211 
of the 1216 votes cast. 
Levine