Political analyst argues for a coalition government in 2014
July 26th, 2012In the search for a balance between efficient government and democratic checks and balances, a popular centrist analyst finds that after the present centralized power structure, a coalition government would be a welcome change.
Gábor Török in his blog comments on a recent analysis by Republicon Institute who forecast that the 2014 elections will result in a deadlock, compelling „improbable” alliances between major parties in Hungary; or resulting in a „horror-coalition” – a Fidesz-MSZP, Fidesz-Jobbik, Fidesz-LMP or MSZP-Jobbik alliance. Török recalls that before the 2010 elections he did not fear a two-thirds Fidesz majorty in parliament, for at the time he saw the advantages of a more efficient, more centralized power structure. Two years into the Fidesz administration, he finds no perfect solution, in what has turned into a trade-off between efficient government and democratic practice. During Orbán’s first term in office (between 1998 and 2002) his coalition partners were demanding bedfellows, so it is understandable that expectations for a strong Fidesz government were high this time. However, he adds, after experiencing the current centralized power structures, he would welcome a coalition that would make compromise on planned measures necessary on the government side. “It may be useful for a political leader to be compelled to convince people other than simple yes-men about his plans and policies.” Török would not even exclude a ‘grand coalition’, although at present this seems utterly improbable: “our politicians would badly need some experience in day-to-day co-operation between opposing sides.”