When it comes to European exclusionary politics, the Austrian case is a puzzling story of a historically rooted right-wing extremism which managed to overcome the outdating of its main ideological component – thanks to anti-immigration xenophobia.
The sweeping reform programme of Viktor Orbán's Hungarian government is provoking alarm among its domestic critics and European partners alike. But its economic policies as well as its political ambitions deserve to be put under the microscope, says Anton Pelinka.
The decisive victory of Hungary’s centre-right - and the advance of the extreme right - presents the mercurial Viktor Orbán with a singular test of political character, says Anton Pelinka.
Also by Anton Pelinka in openDemocracy:
"Austria's sour victory" (6 October 2006)
"Austria's democratic wound" (28 October 2008)
For people outside Austria
There is no news but bad news. Austria seems to have internalised this wisdom. To make headlines in the global media, Austria does its best: if it is not a
The Austrian general election of 1 October 2006 has resulted in one loser and several winners. The loser is obvious: the moderate right, represented by the conservative Österreichische Volkspartei (Austrian
