❗ I call on the city leadership — Gergely Karácsony and the Tisza faction of the Budapest Assembly — to immediately remove the Ukrainian flag from City Hall.
After everything that has happened, how can that flag still be flying on the building of the nation’s capital? Zelensky has issued what was described as a deadly threat against Viktor Orbán, Ukraine has been blackmailing Hungary for weeks by refusing to reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline, and they are also threatening us because we brought home two Hungarian prisoners of war from Russian captivity.
👉 It is time for the Tisza faction to support the removal of the Ukrainian flag as well — unless they want to continue cooperating with Zelensky, as they have done so far. Péter Magyar’s pretence will not fool anyone; Hungarians know exactly that he represents Ukrainian interests.
We will not allow Hungary to be blackmailed, and we will defend Hungarian interests. That is why Fidesz is the only safe choice.
Even today, the Ukrainian flag is still flying above City Hall. After Zelensky allegedly issued a deadly threat against the Hungarian prime minister yesterday, after Ukraine has been continuously blackmailing Hungary and deliberately refusing to reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline, and after they are now threatening us again because we brought two Hungarian prisoners of war home from Russian captivity — despite all of this, the flag of Ukraine can still be seen flying on the building of the capital of the nation.
I therefore firmly and immediately call on Mayor Gergely Karácsony to take this flag down. This flag has no place on the building of City Hall.
I also call on the factions of the Budapest Assembly — especially the Tisza faction — to support this initiative and stop cooperating with the Ukrainians.
We will not fall for this, and Hungarians will not fall for it on April 12 either. People know exactly who stands with them and defends their interests — and who stands on Ukraine’s side.
The text is a typical campaign-style political propaganda message that combines several communication techniques.
Its goal is to trigger an emotional reaction, strengthen political camps, and mobilize voters.
Simplified narrative of the message:
➡️ Ukraine / Zelenskyy = threat and blackmail
➡️ Karácsony / Tisza / Péter Magyar = serving Ukrainian interests
➡️ Fidesz = defender of Hungarian interests
Below are the main propaganda techniques used in the text.
🎭 Propaganda and manipulation techniques in the text
1️⃣ Creating an enemy image (demonization)
Excerpt
“Zelenskyy has issued a deadly threat against Viktor Orbán.”
“The Ukrainians are blackmailing us.”
Technique
👉 construction of an external enemy
Goal
To present Ukraine and its leadership as a source of danger.
Effect
The reader develops fear and hostility toward the designated enemy.
2️⃣ Scapegoating
Excerpt
“Gergely Karácsony and the Tisza faction…”
“Péter Magyar represents Ukrainian interests.”
Technique
👉 blaming political opponents for an external conflict
Goal
To portray domestic political opponents as serving foreign interests.
Effect
The opposition can be depicted not as legitimate political actors but as “traitors.”
3️⃣ Symbolic conflict (flag politics)
Excerpt
“Take down the Ukrainian flag from City Hall.”
Technique
👉 organizing political debate around a symbol
Goal
To reduce a complex political conflict to a simple visual issue.
Effect
Complex geopolitical questions appear in the form of an easily understandable symbol.
4️⃣ Suggestive claims without evidence
Excerpt
“The Ukrainians are blackmailing us.”
“They are collaborating with the Ukrainians.”
Technique
👉 repeating unproven claims
Goal
To make the accusation stick as a perceived fact in the reader’s mind.
Effect
Readers often do not examine the evidence but accept the narrative.
5️⃣ “Us vs. them” framing (polarization)
Excerpt
“We will not allow Hungary to be blackmailed.”
Technique
👉 sharp division between political camps
Goal
The message builds the following contrast:
us = Hungarian interests
them = Ukrainian interests
Effect
Readers can more easily identify with the “us” side.
6️⃣ Electoral mobilization
Excerpt
“That is why only Fidesz is the safe choice.”
Technique
👉 embedding a campaign message into a current conflict
Goal
To connect the geopolitical issue directly to the election.
Effect
Readers may develop the perception that:
➡️ the election = a security decision
📊 The overall narrative of the communication
The text constructs a very simple political storyline:
1️⃣ Ukraine threatens Hungary
2️⃣ The opposition cooperates with Ukraine
3️⃣ Fidesz is the only protection
This follows a classic three-step propaganda narrative:
➡️ danger
➡️ traitors
➡️ savior
✅ Summary
The text is not primarily intended to provide information, but to mobilize voters emotionally.
The main techniques used are:
- creation of an enemy image
- scapegoating
- symbolic conflict (the flag)
- unproven claims
- “us vs. them” polarization
- electoral mobilization