balazska

The country has united! Masses are protesting against Ukrainian threats and blackmail!

Yes, that’s right. The “Let’s Be Lucky” campaign is taking place in Újpalota at the market hall. People keep coming, coming, and coming, and they know exactly what happened again in recent days. The Ukrainians issued life-threatening threats against the Prime Minister and his family. Today, this was confirmed in a fresh statement. People do not want Hungary to be blackmailed, and they do not want Hungary to be threatened. They want us to be able to decide our own fate. And they will act on April 12, and tomorrow at the Peace March as well.

1️⃣ Bandwagon effect and the “everyone is coming” narrative

(bandwagon framing)

Excerpt

“People are coming, coming and coming.”

Technique

The communication suggests that large crowds are already supporting the cause.

Key elements

  • “crowds”
  • “coming and coming”
  • “the country has united”

This is a classic example of the bandwagon effect.

Goal

➡️ increase people’s willingness to join
➡️ create the feeling that this is the majority opinion

Effect

In the reader’s mind it may create thoughts like:

  • “everyone will be there”
  • “I should go too”

People tend to align themselves with the majority.


2️⃣ Creating an external enemy

(external enemy framing)

Excerpt

“Ukrainian threats and blackmail”
“they issued life-threatening threats against the Prime Minister”

Technique

The communication identifies a foreign adversary: Ukraine.

This frames the conflict as an international attack.

Key elements

  • “Ukrainian threats”
  • “blackmail”
  • “life-threatening threats”

Goal

➡️ present the political conflict as national self-defense
➡️ trigger a strong emotional reaction

Effect

In the reader’s mind it may create thoughts such as:

  • “Hungary is under attack”
  • “we must defend ourselves”

3️⃣ National unity narrative

(national unity framing)

Excerpt

“The country has united.”

Technique

The communication suggests that the entire nation shares the same view.

This transforms a political debate into a question of national unity.

Goal

➡️ marginalize opposing political positions
➡️ present the speaker’s position as the national consensus

Effect

Readers may feel that:

  • “this is the shared view of Hungarians”
  • “if someone disagrees, they are outside the community”

4️⃣ Emotional shock and fear appeal

(fear appeal)

Excerpt

“they issued life-threatening threats”

Technique

The communication uses a dramatic and threatening narrative.

The political conflict is therefore framed as an existential danger.

Goal

➡️ trigger fear
➡️ provoke a strong emotional reaction

Effect

People may become more likely to make decisions based on emotion, rather than careful rational evaluation.


5️⃣ “We decide our own fate” narrative

(sovereignty framing)

Excerpt

“They want us to be able to decide our own fate.”

Technique

The political conflict is framed as an issue of national sovereignty.

The choice is presented as:

➡️ national self-determination
vs
➡️ foreign influence

Goal

➡️ elevate the political decision to a question of national survival

Effect

The reader may feel that:

  • “the homeland must be defended”
  • “this is more than just politics”

6️⃣ Electoral mobilization

(mobilization framing)

Excerpt

“That is why they will act on April 12 and tomorrow at the Peace March.”

Technique

The text is a clear political mobilization message.

The narrative sequence is:

➡️ crowd
➡️ threat
➡️ national self-defense
➡️ action

Goal

➡️ increase participation
➡️ trigger political engagement

Effect

Readers may feel that:

  • “now is the time to act”
  • “this is a historic moment”

Summary

The text represents classic campaign rhetoric, built on four main tools:

  • Bandwagon effect – “everyone is coming”
  • External enemy – Ukrainian threat
  • National sovereignty narrative
  • Fear + mobilization

This combination is one of the most common mobilization models in modern political communication.

balazska

❗️ ZSOLT TÁRKÁNYI HAS NO PLACE IN PUBLIC LIFE ❗️

Here comes the big liberal–Tisza-style dodging in the case of the Nazi salute. We’ve seen this many times before.

☝️ One could list at length the many cases from the past 16 years when the progressive, supposedly ultra-brilliant liberal “intelligentsia” — who look down on the “provincial” Fidesz and regularly lecture everyone — behaved in a pitiful way. But perhaps the most embarrassing of all are those moments when they end up defending “fascists.”

That is exactly what is happening now with Zsolt Tárkányi from the Tisza Party ❗️

We all remember that for many long years one of the key pillars of the opposition’s (Orbán-hating) politics was to portray Fidesz as an antisemitic, racist, Jew-hating party.

They pushed this narrative 24 hours a day with the enthusiastic help of their servile media.

However, by 2018 at the latest, everyone could see that their so-called “fight against fascists” was a huge sham. After all, they willingly joined forces with Jobbik, a party whose members had called for listing Israeli citizens and had spoken about Jews in offensive and exclusionary terms (“tetűcsúszdások”).

That alliance has continued ever since. In fact, the far-left and the anti-Israel, anti-Jewish attitudes of some Muslim migrant groups no longer seem to bother them either.

As long as Orbán falls… 🤷‍♂️

❗️Of course they also pretend not to notice (or try to silence and downplay by every possible means) that a photo has surfaced of Zsolt Tárkányi — the Tisza Party’s press chief and parliamentary candidate in Debrecen — making a Nazi salute.

“It’s not a salute, maybe he’s just waving,” I read in the liberal/Tisza-aligned press.

Pathetic clowns 🤡

There’s really no point elaborating further:

❗️ ZSOLT TÁRKÁNYI HAS NO PLACE IN PUBLIC LIFE ❗️

1. Immediate moral exclusion

Excerpt: “ZSOLT TÁRKÁNYI HAS NO PLACE IN PUBLIC LIFE”
Technique: It opens not with an argument but with a final judgment. This is classic moral condemnation framing.
Goal: To close the debate from the very beginning so the reader accepts the conclusion through moral outrage rather than evaluation.
Effect: The reader no longer asks what exactly happened, but how the person should be “punished.”

2. Pre-framing: the other side is assumed to be lying

Excerpt: “Here comes the big liberal-Tisza cover-up.”
Technique: Preemptive discrediting. Before the other side even speaks, the text undermines their expected reaction.
Goal: Any later denial, nuance, or context can automatically be framed as “covering up.”
Effect: Readers approach opposing arguments with built-in suspicion.

3. Enemy construction through multiple labels

Excerpt: “liberal,” “Tisza supporter,” “progressive,” “über-genius,” “servant press.”
Technique: Labeling and tribal identification. Instead of discussing individuals, the text constructs a homogeneous and contemptible camp.
Goal: Dehumanize the opponent and create a single enemy bloc.
Effect: The reader no longer sees separate people or cases, only one despised group.

4. Ridicule and contempt as persuasion

Excerpt: “pathetically behaved,” “pathetic clowns.”
Technique: Ridicule framing. Instead of arguments, the text relies on humiliation.
Goal: Not to refute the opponent but to make them appear ridiculous.
Effect: The reader may feel morally superior, which reduces critical thinking.

5. Narrative of historical hypocrisy

Excerpt: “their ‘fight against fascists’ was fake,” “they easily allied with Jobbik.”
Technique: Hypocrisy framing. The central message is not simply that Tárkányi’s case is problematic, but that the entire opposing side is fundamentally hypocritical.
Goal: Embed the current issue within a larger narrative of betrayal and exposure.
Effect: The reader feels that a long-suspected truth has finally been “revealed.”

6. Guilt by association

Excerpt: references to Jobbik, “tetűcsúszdások,” and “Muslim migrants’ anti-Israel and anti-Jewish attitudes.”
Technique: Guilt by association. Several unrelated but emotionally charged issues are linked together.
Goal: Load the opponent with moral blame without directly proving the specific accusation.
Effect: In the reader’s mind, a chain forms: opposition = extremism = antisemitism = hypocrisy.

7. Blurring fact and interpretation

Excerpt: “a Nazi salute photo has surfaced.”
Technique: The strongest interpretation is presented as a fact. While the gesture itself is disputed in media discussions, the text treats it as a settled issue.
Goal: Eliminate uncertainty so there is no room for doubt or nuance.
Effect: The reader internalizes the most severe interpretation as an established fact.

8. Straw-man portrayal of the other side

Excerpt: “This isn’t even a salute, maybe he’s just waving.”
Technique: Straw man + simplification. The opposing argument is caricatured so it can be mocked more easily.
Goal: Discredit the counterargument without presenting it in full.
Effect: Readers encounter a distorted version of the opposing view instead of the real one.

9. Appeal to collective memory

Excerpt: “We all remember…”
Technique: False consensus / manufactured common memory.
Goal: Suggest that the author’s interpretation is universally shared and obvious.
Effect: Those who remember events differently may feel isolated or misinformed.

10. Constant emotional escalation

Tools: all-caps title, exclamation marks, emojis, heated language
Technique: Affective overload.
Goal: Keep the reader in an emotional state so they react rather than analyze.
Effect: The text mobilizes readers instead of informing them.

11. Binary worldview construction

Implicit message: there are “them,” who excuse fascists, and “us,” who speak the truth.
Technique: Black-and-white framing.
Goal: Reduce a complex issue to a moral tribal conflict.
Effect: The middle ground disappears: investigation, context, and proportional judgment vanish.

12. Closing slogan as a political command

Excerpt: “There’s no point elaborating further.”
Technique: Anti-deliberative closure.
Goal: Explicitly shut down further discussion or evaluation.
Effect: The reader is encouraged to treat the case as already settled.

Overall picture

This text is not primarily trying to inform. Instead, it aims to:

  • generate moral outrage,
  • portray the opponent as a hypocritical and immoral bloc,
  • and close the debate before factual evaluation can occur.

The strongest techniques

  • preemptive discrediting
  • enemy construction
  • guilt by association
  • ridicule and humiliation
  • presenting a disputed claim as fact

One-sentence summary:
This is a classic political smear text that uses the current incident as a moral weapon against the entire opposing side rather than attempting to clarify the facts of the case.

balazska and fidesz

Two-thirds of Hungarians support the introduction of a protected price at gas stations. Tisza supporters do not like it; they want to pay market prices!

I have seen all those videos where a journalist, at a Tisza rally — that is, during one of Péter Magyar’s nationwide campaign stops — asks the participants what they think about the protected price, about the fact that the government intervened in fuel prices so that they cannot be sold for more than 5.95 or 6.15, and several of those answering the reporter say that they do not yet know what they think, and that Péter will soon tell them.

Fortunately, a real survey has been conducted, a representative survey, published just a few minutes ago. It says that two-thirds of Hungarians, 67%, support the introduction of the protected price; this is, in fact, what common sense dictates. Opposition voters, Tisza supporters — that Tisza one-third — on the other hand, do not support it.

Once again, this shows — just as in the survey concerning Ukraine’s accession to the European Union — that if Tisza were in power, there would be no protected price. Then people would already have to pay 50 to 60 forints more for fuel than under the protected price. And if Tisza were in power, then, for example, there would also be Ukrainian accession, meaning they would send all of Hungarians’ money to Ukraine. And I could go on listing how many problems a Tisza government would bring upon us, which is why we must not vote for them.

1️⃣ Emphasizing the will of the majority (bandwagon framing)

Excerpt

“Two-thirds of Hungarians support the introduction of a protected price at gas stations.”

Technique

The communication suggests that
➡️ the majority has already decided what the correct position is.

Key elements

  • “two-thirds”
  • “67%”
  • “Hungarians”

This is a classic bandwagon effect.

Goal

  • to make the reader feel that this is the “normal” or mainstream position
  • anyone who disagrees belongs to the minority

Effect

People tend to align themselves with the majority.


2️⃣ Creating an enemy group

Excerpt

“TISZA supporters don’t like it; they want to pay market prices.”

Technique

The communication divides society into two camps:

“Hungarians”
vs.
“TISZA supporters”

This is ingroup–outgroup framing.

Goal

  • strengthen political identity
  • portray the opponent as a separate group

Effect

The audience may start to think in terms of:

  • “us” vs. “them”
  • “they are acting against Hungarian interests”

3️⃣ Portraying the political opponent as incompetent

Excerpt

“We don’t yet know what we think; Péter will soon tell us.”

Technique

Opposition voters are depicted as followers who do not think independently.

This is delegitimization framing.

Goal

To portray the opponent’s supporters as
manipulated people.

Effect

The reader may conclude that:

  • “they don’t think for themselves”
  • “they just repeat what their leader tells them”

4️⃣ The “common sense” argument

Excerpt

“This is what common sense dictates.”

Technique

A political position is presented as an obvious truth.

This is common sense framing.

Goal

  • to shut down debate
  • to portray the opposing position as irrational

Effect

The reader may feel that:

  • “if I disagree, I must be unreasonable”

5️⃣ Economic fear appeal

Excerpt

“You would have to pay 50–60 forints more for fuel.”

Technique

The message highlights a specific financial loss.

This is an economic fear appeal.

Goal

To make the issue directly affect the voter’s wallet.

Effect

The reader may think:

  • “life would become more expensive”

6️⃣ Linking it to other controversial issues (issue bundling)

Excerpt

“Ukraine’s EU accession would also happen.”

Technique

One issue (fuel prices) is linked to a completely different political issue.

This is issue bundling.

Goal

To bundle several fears together:

  • fuel prices
  • Ukraine
  • sending money abroad

Effect

A large combined threat narrative forms in the reader’s mind.


7️⃣ Narrative of losing national resources

Excerpt

“All the Hungarian people’s money would be sent to Ukraine.”

Technique

This is a national resource loss narrative.

Goal

To frame the opponent as someone who
does not represent Hungarian interests.

Effect

The reader may feel that:

  • “our money will be taken away”
  • “other countries will get it”

8️⃣ Listing apocalyptic consequences

Excerpt

“How many problems a TISZA government would bring upon us.”

Technique

The opponent coming to power is portrayed as a catastrophe.

This is doom framing.

Goal

To strengthen voter mobilization.

Effect

The election appears as a defensive act against danger.


Summary

The text simultaneously uses:

  • majority pressure
  • economic fear appeals
  • enemy-image construction
  • national resource narratives
  • bundling multiple political issues together

This is typical campaign rhetoric, whose purpose is not detailed policy debate but:

➡️ emotional mobilization
➡️ delegitimizing the opponent
➡️ influencing voting decisions.

balazska

The most brutal story from the poster party: when it turns out that the hate sect won’t accept a different opinion even within the family!

“Ask Bóka to say that I don’t want to step out against the TISZA family. …and we’re walking along too. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. If you can’t see it anymore, then there’s a problem there. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. There probably wouldn’t be any upbringing, because I don’t really trust my parents. Do they have authority? They do, but they use it badly. Should they be re-educated? Onto the right path? I’m trying. They should be guided onto the right path? You study in Debrecen. You study in Debrecen. You study in Debrecen, and you came here for a poster? Yes, for a poster. And are you from a TISZA family too? Yes. Come on, don’t be ridiculous, but how does someone become TISZA? I don’t know. How does someone become TISZA when the choice is completely obvious? Please go home and re-educate your parents. Could I come for two posters with a fellow student? Well, look, if you came from Debrecen, then yes. Thank you very much.”

1️⃣ Enemy Demonization (“hate sect” framing)

Excerpt

“the hate sect does not accept any different opinion even within the family”

Technique

The opponent is not presented as a political group, but as a sect.

Key words

  • “hate sect”
  • “does not accept other opinions”

Goal

➡️ moral delegitimization
➡️ portraying the opponent as irrational

Effect

The reader may begin to think:

  • “they are fanatics”
  • “it’s impossible to argue with them”

This is a classic demonization framing technique.


2️⃣ Dramatizing a Family Conflict

Excerpt

“I don’t want to admit that I come from a TISZA family”

Technique

The political difference is framed as a family drama.

This creates a strong emotional framework:

➡️ politics = family conflict
➡️ political stance = moral decision

Goal

  • emotional involvement
  • building a personal story

Effect

The audience does not see a political debate, but rather a dramatic personal story.


3️⃣ The “Re-education” Narrative

Excerpt

“Please go home and re-educate your parents.”

Technique

This is a very strong rhetorical element.

Political disagreement is presented as incorrect thinking.

Key elements

  • “re-educate”
  • “bring them to the right path”

Goal

➡️ suggesting the moral superiority of one’s own political position

Effect

The viewer may conclude:

  • “the other side is wrong”
  • “they need to be corrected”

4️⃣ Ridicule

Excerpt

“Don’t be ridiculous — how can someone become a TISZA supporter?”

Technique

The opponent’s position is presented as absurd or laughable.

This is a classic political tool:

ridicule / mockery

Goal

➡️ delegitimizing the opponent
➡️ entertaining one’s own supporters

Effect

The implied message becomes:

  • “only foolish people could support TISZA”

5️⃣ Repetition and Rhythm

Excerpt

“You study in Debrecen. You study in Debrecen. You study in Debrecen.”

Technique

Repetition dramatizes the scene.

This rhetorical rhythm:

  • strengthens the emotional impact
  • makes the phrase more memorable

Goal

➡️ emphasis
➡️ dramatic effect


6️⃣ The Illusion of a “Real Street Scene”

The entire story is constructed to appear spontaneous:

  • distributing posters
  • talking to a young person
  • a family disagreement

This is known as street authenticity framing.

Goal

To make the audience feel:

➡️ “this is what reality looks like on the streets”

Even if the scene is heavily edited or staged.


7️⃣ Involving a Young Voter

Excerpt

“You study in Debrecen?”

Technique

Introducing a young participant.

This is an important campaign device:

➡️ generational legitimacy

Goal

To suggest that:

  • young people also support the message
  • it is not only older voters

The Overall Narrative of the Communication

The story ultimately builds a simple narrative:

Narrative

  1. The opponent is a “sect”
  2. It even divides families
  3. Reasonable people see the truth
  4. Young people also recognize it

This is a very typical campaign narrative structure.


Summary

Several propaganda and persuasion techniques operate simultaneously in this scene:

1️⃣ enemy demonization
2️⃣ framing the issue as a family drama
3️⃣ the “re-education” narrative
4️⃣ ridicule and mockery
5️⃣ rhetorical repetition
6️⃣ the illusion of a spontaneous street interaction
7️⃣ involvement of a young voter

balazska

We defy the hatred: if they cut them down at night, we put them back up the next day. We reject foreign threats.

It needs to be the other way around. I need to pull it here, on this side facing us. We defy TISZA’s hatred. They cut down posters almost every night. We try to put them back up. That should do it.

Zelenskyy and his people are blackmailing us, threatening us, and are already even targeting the gas pipeline. But we are standing firm. One month remains. And we know exactly what is at stake: Hungary’s future, our children’s future, and then our grandchildren’s future.

There is only one good choice. Only Fidesz is the safe choice in times like these.

1️⃣ Building an Enemy Image (enemy framing)

Excerpt

“We defy TISZA hatred.”
“Almost every night they cut down the posters.”

Technique

The communication assigns responsibility for vandalism or attacks to a specific political opponent without providing evidence.

Key elements

  • “TISZA hatred”
  • “they cut down the posters”

Goal

➡️ to morally discredit the opposition
➡️ to close ranks within the supporter base

Effect

Readers may start to feel that:

  • “they are attacking us”
  • “we are the victims”

This is a typical victim narrative combined with enemy framing.


2️⃣ Heroic Resistance Narrative (hero / resistance framing)

Excerpt

“They cut them down at night, we put them back the next day.”
“We defy them…”

Technique

The message portrays the political side as persistent fighters.

It creates a simple story:

  1. an attack happens
  2. we restore what was destroyed
  3. we continue the fight

Goal

➡️ to motivate activists
➡️ to build campaign momentum

Effect

Readers may feel:

  • “we are in a struggle”
  • “we must persevere”

3️⃣ External Threat Narrative (external threat framing)

Excerpt

“Zelenskyy and his people are blackmailing and threatening us.”

Technique

The communication connects a foreign enemy with the internal political conflict.

The classic structure:

  • foreign threat
  • domestic opposition
  • both placed in the same narrative block

Goal

➡️ to associate the opposition with foreign interests

Effect

Readers may start thinking:

  • “if someone is in the opposition, they are aligned with foreign actors”

4️⃣ Threatening Worldview (crisis framing)

Excerpt

“They are already shooting at the gas pipeline.”

Technique

A geopolitical conflict is framed as if it were a direct attack on Hungary.

Key themes

  • energy
  • war
  • threat

Goal

➡️ to frame the election as a security decision rather than a political debate

Effect

Readers may conclude:

  • “these are dangerous times”
  • “this is not the moment to experiment”

5️⃣ Time Pressure and Mobilization (urgency framing)

Excerpt

“There is one month left.”

Technique

The campaign creates a sense of urgency and countdown.

Goal

➡️ to create pressure
➡️ to mobilize voters quickly

Effect

Readers may feel:

  • “a decision must be made now”
  • “there is no time to hesitate”

6️⃣ Simplified Electoral Narrative (false dilemma)

Excerpt

“There is only one good choice.”

Technique

This is the classic false dilemma:

  • either us
  • or danger

The political reality is simplified into two options.

Goal

➡️ to narrow the perceived range of political choices

Effect

Readers may think:

  • “if I want security → I must vote for them”

The Communication Structure of the Text

The full narrative unfolds in the following sequence:

1️⃣ Internal enemy – “TISZA hatred”
2️⃣ We resist – replacing the posters
3️⃣ External enemy – Zelenskyy
4️⃣ Threatened country – gas pipeline attacks
5️⃣ Time pressure – one month left
6️⃣ Single solution – Fidesz

This forms a classic campaign propaganda arc.


In short

The text simultaneously uses five main propaganda tools:

  • enemy construction
  • victim narrative
  • external threat framing
  • crisis framing
  • false dilemma framing

balazska

Disgusting how TISZA commenters reacted to the threats against the Prime Minister’s family! Péter Magyar is inciting hatred among his own supporters!

It is repulsive and sickening what we saw yesterday from TISZA supporters, although it is hardly surprising. With every statement he makes, every Facebook post he writes, and at every stop on his nationwide tour, Péter Magyar stirs people up, provokes them, and teaches his followers and supporters to hate. We can see the result of this in comments like these.

These comments also show how tense they are, because they know exactly that they are heading for defeat and that they are in the minority, since the majority of Hungarians do not want a pro-Ukrainian, Ukraine-friendly government in Hungary.

Of course. This text is a very strong emotionally mobilizing and enemy-framing campaign message that uses several influence techniques at the same time. Political persuasion often relies on emotional framing, personal attacks, and a “us vs. them” division; such techniques include framing, fear-mongering, and ad hominem attacks.

Influence techniques used in the text

1️⃣ Triggering disgust and moral shock

Excerpt: “Disgusting… revolting and sickening…”

Technique:
The opening already relies not on arguments but on strong emotional labels. This is classic emotional framing: before the reader has a chance to evaluate the situation, they are given a ready-made emotional interpretation. The essence of framing is that the reaction of the audience is influenced by how the information is presented.

Goal:
To provoke immediate outrage.

Effect:
The reader enters the text not in an analytical mode, but with feelings of disgust and anger.


2️⃣ Shifting blame onto a single political actor

Excerpt: “Péter Magyar is inciting hatred among his own supporters!”

Technique:
The text reduces a complex phenomenon to the deliberate incitement of one individual. This is a simplified scapegoating strategy, combined with a personal attack: it does not refute a specific claim but presents a single person as the cause of the entire phenomenon. The essence of an ad hominem attack is that the person becomes the target instead of the argument.

Goal:
To morally delegitimize the opponent.

Effect:
The reader may more easily accept that the political opponent is not simply someone with a different opinion but someone morally dangerous.


3️⃣ Emotional reinforcement through repetition

Excerpt: “with every statement, every Facebook post… at every stop of the tour…”

Technique:
The repetition creates the impression that the alleged incitement is constant, total, and pervasive. This is not evidence but rhythmic reinforcement.

Goal:
To portray the accusation as comprehensive and indisputable.

Effect:
The reader may begin to feel that this is not an isolated issue but a continuous pattern.


4️⃣ Collective stigmatization of supporters

Excerpt: “TISZA commenters… the TISZA supporters…”

Technique:
The text speaks not about individual commenters but about an entire political community. This is generalization and group stigmatization: reactions by some individuals are used to draw moral conclusions about the entire group.

Goal:
To shift the focus from individual comments to the image of a “corrupt community.”

Effect:
Rejecting the entire opposing camp becomes easier.


5️⃣ “Us vs. them” tribal framing

Excerpt: “the majority of Hungarians do not want a pro-Ukrainian government in Hungary”

Technique:
Here the classic ingroup–outgroup division appears:

  • “the majority of Hungarians” = the legitimate community
  • “pro-Ukrainian government” = an external or alien bloc outside the national side

This is both identity-based and political framing.

Goal:
To place the opponent outside the “national community.”

Effect:
The political debate becomes an identity struggle: the question is no longer who is right, but who belongs to “us.”


6️⃣ Majority pressure / bandwagon effect

Excerpt: “they are in the minority,” “the majority of Hungarians…”

Technique:
The text suggests that the correct position is already the majority position. The bandwagon effect refers to the tendency of people to align themselves with what is presented as the winning or majority side.

Goal:
To psychologically push undecided voters toward the “majority.”

Effect:
The reader may think:
“If they are in the minority, then it is not worth identifying with them.”


7️⃣ Guilt by association

Excerpt: “pro-Ukrainian government”

Technique:
The text links a domestic political opponent to an external actor that is negatively framed for many readers. This is association framing: it does not prove anything but connects two actors.

Goal:
To undermine the opponent’s credibility through association.

Effect:
The reader may start to see the Hungarian opposition and Ukraine as part of the same political bloc.


8️⃣ Exploiting fear and perceived threat

Excerpt: the entire message is built around threats against the prime minister’s family

Technique:
Referring to a threat against family members creates a very strong emotional base. From this, the broader political conclusion is drawn: if such reactions exist, the opponent’s camp must be dangerous. This is classic fear-based persuasion (fear-mongering).

Goal:
To destabilize the sense of security and then channel that fear into political loyalty.

Effect:
The reader may not only reject the opposing side but perceive it as a source of danger.


9️⃣ Constructing moral superiority

Technique:
The text not only attacks the opponent but also suggests that one side represents the normal, moral, rational majority, while the other side is driven by hatred.

Goal:
To reinforce the moral identity of the speaker’s own camp.

Effect:
The audience may feel that choosing a political side is also choosing a moral position.


🔟 Mood-based persuasion instead of evidence

Technique:
The text makes strong claims but relies mostly on labeling and conclusions rather than detailed evidence. This is atmospheric persuasion: rhetorical intensity substitutes for factual substantiation.

Goal:
To create quick, instinctive agreement.

Effect:
The reader may accept the narrative without examining the full chain of cause and effect.


Overall picture

The message does not rely on neutral argumentation but on the following chain:

threat → disgust → scapegoating → collective stigmatization → majority pressure → identity conflict

In other words, its primary goal is not nuanced explanation but to fix the following image in the reader’s mind:

“The opposing camp is full of hatred, morally corrupt, losing, and serving foreign interests.”

fidesz, orban , alexandra , balazska is lying

In the interview he did indeed mention Orbán, as well as his children and grandchildren, but for it to sound like a threat the government media had to omit the other half of the sentence.

The words of the retired Ukrainian officer had to be cut so that it would appear as if he were threatening Orbán’s children.

telex.hu
“They had to cut the retired Ukrainian officer’s statement to make it seem like he was threatening Orbán’s children.”

alexa

Over the past 16 years, together with the national government, we have achieved a great deal: we built a work-based society, created one million new jobs, and introduced one of the most generous family support systems in the world — instead of doing what the EU promotes and replacing missing children with migrants.

We did not allow migration, gender ideology, or war to put our country in danger.

It is no coincidence that Hungarians pay the lowest utility bills in all of Europe — and even now, in this era of dangers, we are protecting energy prices.

These achievements also show that we can be relied upon, and that we carry through what we promise.

That is why Fidesz is the safe choice.

We have achieved that Hungary once again became a work-based society, and we created one million jobs. We ensured that while in the European Union it has become common practice to compensate for declining birth rates through migration, Hungary operates the most generous family support system in the world.

We managed to keep Hungary out of the entire liberal madness — including migration and gender ideology.

We achieved that teachers now earn a gross salary of around 950,000 forints, and doctors are also earning very well. We introduced personal income tax exemption for people under the age of 25. This year as well, we implemented an 11% minimum wage increase despite the difficult circumstances.

We achieved that people in Hungary pay the lowest utility prices in Europe.

Even in this situation we were able to provide not only the 13th-month pension but also the first installment of the 14th-month pension. And the list could go on: free textbooks and many other measures. We have accomplished a great deal together.

Let’s not forget these results. They are there. But we are not asking for trust simply by pointing back to them.

These results serve to show people that we are not speaking into the air.

You can rely on us — and we deliver what we promise.

1️⃣ The “We achieved” repetition technique (success repetition framing)

Excerpt

“We achieved that…”
“We achieved that…”
“We achieved that…”

Technique

The communication begins almost every sentence with the same formula.

This creates a classic propaganda rhythm:

➡️ we achieved
➡️ we achieved
➡️ we achieved

Repetition psychologically creates the atmosphere of a success story, even when some of the claims may be debatable.

Goal

  • create a sense of achievement
  • reinforce the perception of government performance
  • build a positive emotional frame

Effect

The reader may come away thinking:

➡️ “They achieved a lot.”


2️⃣ Selective reality (cherry picking)

Excerpt

  • one million jobs
  • family support programs
  • minimum wage increases
  • utility price policies

Technique

Only positive statistics are mentioned, while issues such as the following are omitted:

  • inflation
  • frozen EU funds
  • public debt
  • problems in the healthcare system

This is selective data selection.

Goal

Create a one-sided success narrative.

Effect

The reader may feel:

➡️ “Everything is working well.”


3️⃣ External enemy contrast (external contrast framing)

Excerpt

“In the European Union they replace missing children with migration.”

Technique

The communication presents Hungary as a positive exception, while portraying the EU as a negative example.

This is a contrast propaganda structure:

EU → bad model
Hungary → good model

Goal

Strengthen national identity.

Effect

The reader may feel:

➡️ “We are better than them.”


4️⃣ Cultural fear framing (culture-war framing)

Excerpt

“liberal madness”
“gender madness”

Technique

The political debate is framed as a cultural threat.

Key trigger words:

  • migration
  • gender
  • liberal “madness”

This is a classic culture-war rhetorical strategy.

Goal

Trigger emotional identification within the political base.

Effect

Politics is perceived as a civilizational struggle.


5️⃣ Stacking social benefits (benefit stacking)

Excerpt

  • teacher salaries
  • doctor salaries
  • income tax exemption for under-25s
  • minimum wage increase
  • utility prices
  • pensions
  • free textbooks

Technique

A rapid list of multiple benefits and policies.

This is known as benefit stacking.

The more items are listed, the stronger the psychological effect.

Goal

Make voters feel that:

➡️ “They receive a lot of support.”


6️⃣ Credibility framing

Excerpt

“We are not talking into the air.”

Technique

The communication pre-emptively defends itself against criticism.

The message behind the sentence:

➡️ “We have already proven ourselves.”

Goal

Strengthen the perception of leadership reliability.

Effect

Voters may be more willing to accept new promises.


7️⃣ Collective achievement narrative

Excerpt

“We have done a lot together.”

Technique

Government achievements are framed as shared national success.

This rhetoric strengthens identification between the government and the public.

Goal

Make voters feel:

➡️ they are part of the success.


Summary

The text follows a typical campaign propaganda structure.

Key elements:

1️⃣ repetition (“we achieved”)
2️⃣ selective statistics
3️⃣ contrast with the EU
4️⃣ culture-war narrative
5️⃣ stacking social benefits
6️⃣ credibility framing (“we are not talking into the air”)
7️⃣ collective success narrative

The communication aims to reinforce:

➡️ stability
➡️ a sense of success
➡️ political loyalty.

balazska

The Middle East is in flames, Europe is in huge trouble, Zelensky is blackmailing Hungary, and Péter Magyar is applauding him. This is how we are entering the final month of the campaign! Fidesz is the safe choice!

Let’s look around the world and see where we stand. The Middle East is burning — oil refineries are on fire, ships are being attacked, tankers are being targeted. For a while, oil and natural gas will certainly not be coming to Europe in large quantities from that direction. Europe is in serious trouble. Very serious trouble.

And in response to this, Ursula von der Leyen says that despite all this they will not change their strategy — meaning Russian energy sources are still not needed. Even though energy could come from there, if it were allowed, and it would be cheap.

Zelensky continues to attack, blackmail and threaten Hungary. It is not enough that he shut down the Druzhba oil pipeline; now they are also shooting at the gas pipeline coming from the south and trying to destroy it.

Meanwhile Péter Magyar and the opposition are applauding all of this — they want a change of government with the help of these developments.

At the fuel stations, people would already have to pay 35–40 forints more for petrol and diesel than the protected price of 595 and 615.

This is where we stand now, one month before the election.
1️⃣ Panic-Inducing Worldview (crisis framing)

Excerpt

“The Middle East is in flames, Europe is in huge trouble.”

Technique

The text immediately opens with a global crisis atmosphere:

  • war
  • burning oil refineries
  • attacked tankers
  • energy shortages

Goal

  • to create a sense of urgency
  • to heighten the reader’s emotional state

Effect

The reader may feel:

➡️ “This is no longer a political debate, but a catastrophe.”


2️⃣ Continuous Repetition (emotional amplification)

Excerpt

“Europe is in huge trouble. Huge trouble.”

Technique

The same statement is repeated.

Goal

  • to strengthen emotional emphasis
  • to reinforce the sense of crisis

This is a rhetorical device, not new information.


3️⃣ Identifying an External Enemy (external enemy framing)

Excerpt

“Zelensky is blackmailing Hungary.”

“Brussels is not changing its strategy.”

Technique

Responsibility for the problems is assigned to external actors:

  • Ukraine
  • the EU
  • Brussels

Goal

  • to shift responsibility
  • to simplify a complex political conflict

Effect

The reader may perceive economic problems as a form of external attack.


4️⃣ Delegitimizing the Opposition

Excerpt

“Péter Magyar and the opposition are applauding.”

Technique

Political opponents are portrayed as if they were:

➡️ happy about the country’s problems.

Goal

  • to create a moral distinction
  • to frame politics as “patriots vs. traitors.”

5️⃣ Activating Economic Fear

Excerpt

“You would have to pay 35–40 forints more for fuel.”

Technique

A concrete financial number is introduced.

Why it is effective

People react most strongly to impacts on their personal finances.

Goal

➡️ to connect the electoral decision with everyday living costs.


6️⃣ Electoral Conclusion (political closure)

Excerpt

“Fidesz is the safe choice.”

Technique

At the end of the narrative, a political solution appears.

The structure becomes:

  1. global crisis
  2. enemies
  3. economic threat
  4. → political answer

The Logic of the Entire Narrative

The structure of the text roughly follows this pattern:

1️⃣ global crisis
2️⃣ energy shortage
3️⃣ external enemies
4️⃣ internal “collaborators”
5️⃣ financial threat
6️⃣ → only one political force can protect the country

This is a classic “protective leader” campaign narrative.