Looking Back: An Evaluation After the Last Municipal Assembly of the Year
Together with Budapest Fidesz, we have worked throughout the year to make the daily lives of the people of the capital better.
There is no doubt that it is not always easy to operate actively against left-wing headwinds, and many of our forward-looking proposals have fallen on deaf ears.
Nevertheless, in December the Assembly supported two proposals that we initiated. This allows us to provide housing utility support for those in need and to give special assistance to our senior fellow citizens with free access to baths, cinemas, or even the zoo.
Next year we won’t slow down — in fact, we will continue with doubled strength the work that the citizens of Budapest have mandated us to do.
Budapest deserves much more!
2026, we are coming!
🎯 1️⃣ Framing: “We work, they obstruct”
Core claim:
“We are improving the lives of Budapest citizens → the left is blocking us.”
This is an excuse-narrative:
- if something doesn’t succeed → it’s not the ruling party’s fault
- responsibility is constantly shifted onto the opposition
Function:
➡️ no accountability → only victimhood posture
🏆 2️⃣ “Small handouts = big victory”
They cite free tickets and utility subsidies as concrete achievements.
These are:
- short-term benefits
- low-impact social policy fillers
- not addressing real strategic urban issues (transport, housing, environment)
👉 Classic populism: expect big gratitude for tiny gifts.
🦸 3️⃣ Self-mythologizing: “We are the saviors”
Phrases like:
- “our forward-looking proposals”
- “the people of Budapest mandated us”
Meanwhile, election results in Budapest show the opposite.
This is reality-reframing → a manipulative victory narrative.
🚀 4️⃣ The promise of a greater future—always
- “We continue with doubled strength”
- “Budapest deserves much more”
- “2026, we’re coming!”
No concrete program, no data.
But a strong campaign message:
“Things are bad now → we will make them better.”
➡️ Fearmongering + redemption narrative.
🧠 Overall Picture
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Headwind narrative | Scapegoating, shifting responsibility |
| Emphasis on small benefits | Vote maximization through gift-politics |
| Success propaganda | Reality rewritten for political gain |
| Grand promises | Campaign building without content |
📌 Conclusion
This text does not inform — it markets politics:
- it aims at emotional identification,
- casts Fidesz as both victim and hero,
- replaces civic responsibility with dependency on handouts.
Q: Was there a favorite moment for you in this year’s municipal assembly, and what was the worst decision?
A: I’m glad that there were quite a few decisions that brought joy to the lives of Budapest residents, showing that even though it’s not easy with a left-liberal majority in the assembly, it is still possible to push through positive initiatives from time to time. Overall, those were my favorite moments — when we could bring proposals to the assembly that genuinely improve people’s everyday lives.
For example, at the most recent session two proposals were adopted based on our initiative. One is related to support for housing utility costs, which will help those who need it most. The other was aimed specifically at pensioners in Budapest, giving them the opportunity to participate in cultural programs — for instance, visiting the zoo or going to the cinema for free with their grandchildren — helping to make the holiday season a bit nicer and more enjoyable for them.
🎯 1️⃣ “Success within failure” narrative
Core framing:
“It’s not easy in a left-liberal majority, but sometimes we still succeed.”
🔧 Technique: pre-emptive excuse + self-absolution
- If achievements are few → “they blocked us”
- If anything passes → “see, even despite them, we delivered”
👉 This isn’t performance evaluation — it’s excuse-management.
🏆 2️⃣ Inflating tiny handouts into major achievements
Showcased “top successes”:
- housing utility subsidies
- free:
- zoo entry
- cinema visits
- cultural programs for pensioners
🔧 Technique: low-cost policies → high-impact storytelling
These are:
- one-off or seasonal perks
- not structural urban policy
They don’t address:
- housing crisis
- transport & mobility
- healthcare
- climate realities
- urban infrastructure
👉 Classic “small gift → huge political glory” logic.
🦸 3️⃣ Self-mythologizing through the collective “we”
“we introduced,” “we proposed,” “we made life better”
🔧 Technique: collective hero narrative
- no names
- no accountability
- no measurable outcomes
👉 The “we” is not community — it’s a political shield.
🧠 4️⃣ Emotional focus → analytical avoidance
Key words:
- “bring joy”
- “nicer holidays”
- “with grandchildren”
🔧 Technique: emotional diversion
Warm feelings → fewer questions
Cozy mood → zero accountability
👉 Emotion stands in for policy substance.
⚠️ Overall picture
This isn’t an annual assessment.
It is:
- campaign-friendly self-justification
- maximizing communication on minimal decisions
- responsibility-shifting + self-promotion
📌 The “favorite moments” highlight what can be marketed,
not how Budapest has developed.