Hungary provided no better example of that yesterday when the parliament effectively voted itself out of power, ended democracy, suspended elections indefinitely, and gave the far-right nationalist conservative prime minister Viktor Orbán the unlimited and indefinite supreme powers of a dictator (details here). He will now rule by decree, a power that cannot be challenged or appealed.
Orbán was also granted sweeping powers to muzzle any critics, including members of the press. If you try to speak out, you could be prosecuted for "spreading false information." Some public figures who support Orbán are urging him to use the decree to arrest any journalist who criticizes him.
The alleged rationale for granting Orbán unlimited power was that it would allow him to more rapidly address needs in fighting coronavirus. Yet Hungary has one of the lowest coronavirus infection rates in Europe, thus underscoring that this move used the virus as an excuse and not a reason.
Donald Trump has repeatedly and effusively praised the far-right Orbán in past public statements. He has yet to say anything critical about this blatant power grab. Will he?
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