The sober majority knows exactly what is at stake: we want to stay out of the war, and we do not want to send Hungarians’ money to Ukraine! 👍
There is a Fidesz stand in Újpalota. A Tisza stand. This is what it looks like. No one can say it was just a moment taken out of context. We are now half an hour later. At the Tisza stand, there is currently a lady there. Let me show you the Fidesz stand. Balázs Barkóczi is the real strong candidate on the Brussels side here. He has to be defeated, and we will defeat him and build momentum in North Pest.
1️⃣ The “sensible majority” narrative (bandwagon framing / majority framing)
Excerpt
“The sensible majority knows exactly what is at stake.”
Technique
The communication suggests that ➡️ “normal” people have already decided what the correct position is.
Keyword
“sensible majority”
Goal
to pressure undecided voters
to create the impression that the majority is already on this side
Effect
Readers may feel that:
“most people think this way”
“I don’t want to be in the minority”
2️⃣ Dramatizing existential stakes
(high-stakes framing / fear framing)
Excerpt
“we want to stay out of the war”
Technique
The election is framed not as a normal political competition but as ➡️ a question of war or peace.
Goal
to trigger an emotional reaction
to dramatize the importance of the election
Effect
Readers may feel:
“if we choose wrong, there will be war”
3️⃣ External enemy narrative
(external enemy framing)
Excerpt
“we don’t want Hungarian money sent to Ukraine”
Technique
The communication sets up a contrast between a foreign actor and Hungarian interests.
Narrative
Hungarian interests vs Ukrainian interests
Goal
to trigger emotional identification
to simplify the political conflict
4️⃣ Presenting visual “evidence”
(visual framing / anecdotal evidence)
Excerpt
“No one can say this was just a moment taken out of context. We are half an hour later.”
Technique
The communication presents a specific situation as general evidence.
Rhetorically this is:
➡️ anecdotal proof
Goal
to suggest that one side is more popular
to provide visual confirmation
Effect
People tend to treat a single observed scene as proof of a broader trend.
5️⃣ Delegitimizing the opponent
(political labeling / enemy framing)
Excerpt
“Barkoci Balázs is the real strong candidate on the Brussels side.”
Technique
The opponent is associated with an external power.
Keyword
“Brussels side”
Goal
to portray the opponent as acting against national interests
to simplify the political choice
6️⃣ Preparing a victory narrative
(inevitability framing)
Excerpt
“He must be defeated, and we will defeat him.”
Technique
The communication speaks about a certain future victory already in the present.
Goal
to energize supporters
to create the image of a winning side
Effect
People are often inclined to join what appears to be the winning side.
Summary
The text represents classic campaign communication, built mainly on:
a majority narrative (“the sensible majority”)
war-related fear framing
an external enemy (Ukraine / Brussels)
visual anecdotal evidence
delegitimization of the opponent
a victory narrative
This type of communication relies primarily on emotional and identity-based mobilization, rather than on detailed policy programs or concrete policy arguments.
It is unacceptable that a former Ukrainian intelligence officer has once again threatened Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his family simply because the national government consistently represents the interests of the Hungarian people, not those of Ukraine.
Hryhoriy Omelchenko, a former general of Ukrainian intelligence — who a few days ago already issued death threats against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, including his children and grandchildren — has now made further unacceptable statements.
The former intelligence officer is demanding that Hungary support EU funding for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. He claims that if Viktor Orbán does not do so, his life could “end unexpectedly and tragically,” and that his “innocent relatives,” including his children, could also suffer.
Omelchenko even added that the Slovak prime minister “experienced what karma is when he was hit by five bullets,” implying that Viktor Orbán and Péter Szijjártó may face a similar fate if they do not align themselves with Ukraine.
Such threats against Hungary are unacceptable and intolerable.
It is clearly visible that President Zelensky and the Ukrainian leadership will stop at nothing in order to achieve their political goals and to ensure that, in April, a pro-Ukraine government comes to power in Hungary.
While President Zelensky is endangering Hungary’s and Hungarian families’ energy security by using the blockade of the Druzhba oil pipeline as a tool of political pressure, a former Ukrainian intelligence leader is openly threatening Hungary’s prime minister and his family.
Hungary cannot be blackmailed.
Whether President Zelensky and the Ukrainian leadership like it or not, Hungary will stay out of the war. We will not send the Hungarian people’s money to Ukraine, and we will not give up cheap energy either.
For us, Hungary comes first.
Fidesz is the safe choice.
1️⃣ Building moral outrage (moral outrage framing)
Excerpt
“No one can do such a thing against any Hungarian.” “Such threats are unacceptable and impermissible.”
Technique
The text opens with a moral statement, immediately setting the “correct” emotional reaction for the audience.
Goal
to emotionally engage the reader immediately
to create a sense of moral consensus
Effect
The reader may feel that ➡️ anyone who disagrees is “against Hungarians.”
We already know the Tisza Party’s true face: “they don’t tell people everything, because then they would fail,” but if they win the election, “after that, anything goes.” What is at stake in this election is who will lead our country in an increasingly tense global political situation. Péter Magyar is colluding with Zelensky’s circle, and if he came to power, he would give in to every Ukrainian and Brussels demand. Viktor Orbán, on the other hand, has always stood up for Hungarian interests and has been able to say no to blackmail. This also shows that only Fidesz is the safe choice!
These are the Tisza Party people. In fact, those last two are parliamentary candidates who say that the beginning will be very shaky, and they admit that they are not telling people everything, because otherwise they would fail. So this is the true face of the Tisza Party, this is their real economic program, and this is the lying: not telling everything because otherwise they would fail. But first, they have to win the election, and after that, anything goes. It is just not necessary to explain right now what exactly that “anything” would mean. So that is about how much you can believe anything they say. A great many things could be done, and should be done. The election has to be won, and after that, anything goes. The first two years will be very shaky.
I really could say much more about what is at stake in this election. But what I would truly like to ask of you is that you think it through in terms of your own lives: what your life would look like, and what your children’s lives would look like, five or ten years from now, if under these conditions that we now have to live with, in terms of world politics, Hungary’s prime minister were not Viktor Orbán, but Péter Magyar. Because in truth, that is what this election is about: whether in the current situation this country is led by Viktor Orbán, who has always stood up for the Hungarian people and has always been able to say no to those who threatened Hungarian interests, or by a fortune hunter who would gladly lie his way all the way into the prime minister’s chair, if we let him.
Propaganda and Influence Techniques in Alexa’s Speech
1️⃣ “Revealing the True Face” Narrative
(exposure framing / moral condemnation framing)
Excerpt
“We already know the true face of the Tisza Party…”
Technique
The communication claims that the opponent has already been “exposed” and their real intentions are proven.
Key elements
“true face”
“we already know”
This is a classic political rhetorical device: ➡️ closing the debate before the arguments even begin
Goal
immediate destruction of the opponent’s credibility
triggering moral rejection in the audience
Effect
The reader may feel:
“they have already been exposed”
“there’s nothing to consider anymore”
2️⃣ Discrediting Through Selective Quotes
(selective quoting / framing)
Excerpt
“they don’t say everything because then they would fail” “after winning the election everything becomes possible”
Technique
The communication builds the entire character of the opponent from a few selected quotes.
Method
quote taken out of context
adding an interpretive frame
drawing a moral conclusion
Goal
to suggest that the opponent is deliberately lying to voters
Effect
The reader may start thinking:
“they are hiding something”
“they are deceiving people”
3️⃣ Dramatisation of the Election’s Stakes
(high-stakes framing)
Excerpt
“The stakes of the election are who will lead our country in this increasingly tense global political situation.”
Technique
The election is framed not as a normal political decision but as a geopolitical survival question.
Key elements
“increasingly tense global political situation”
“who will lead the country”
Goal
➡️ maximize the perceived importance of the election
Effect
The reader may feel:
“a historic decision is coming”
“we cannot take risks”
4️⃣ Linking the Opponent to an External Enemy
(external enemy framing)
Excerpt
“Péter Magyar is cooperating with Zelensky.”
Technique
The opponent is connected to external political actors.
This is a classic political communication pattern:
domestic opponent = representative of foreign interests
Key elements
Zelensky
Brussels
Goal
to portray the opponent as acting against national interests
Effect
The reader may interpret this as:
“he does not represent Hungarian interests”
“he serves foreign interests”
5️⃣ National Protector Narrative
(protector framing)
Excerpt
“Viktor Orbán has always stood up for Hungarian interests.”
Technique
The communication places the governing side into a hero-protector role.
Narrative
Orbán = protector
opponent = servant of others
Goal
strengthening loyalty
creating the image of a stable leader
Effect
The reader may feel:
“he protects the country”
“he should not be replaced”
6️⃣ Delegitimising the Opponent Through Personal Attack
(character assassination)
Excerpt
“a fortune seeker who would lie his way to the prime minister’s chair”
Technique
The opponent is presented not as a political rival but as a morally untrustworthy individual.
Key elements
“fortune seeker”
“liar”
Goal
➡️ destroying personal credibility
Effect
The reader:
focuses less on policies or programs
rejects the person instead
7️⃣ Binary Choice Narrative
(false dilemma framing)
Excerpt
“Either Viktor Orbán leads the country… or Péter Magyar.”
Technique
The communication simplifies the election into two extreme options.
Structure
stable leader VS dishonest opportunist
Goal
turning the election into a moral choice
Effect
The reader may think:
“either security or chaos”
8️⃣ Fear-Based Future Framing
(fear appeal)
Excerpt
“think about what your life will look like in five or ten years”
Technique
The communication uses uncertainty about the future to evoke fear.
Goal
➡️ triggering an emotional decision
Effect
The reader may prefer:
avoiding risk
choosing the current leadership
Summary
The text follows a classic campaign-communication structure:
“Exposing” the opponent
Discrediting through selective quotes
Dramatising the stakes of the election
Linking the opponent to external enemies
Presenting the government as national protector
Personal credibility attacks
Creating a binary political choice
Mobilising voters through fear
The main objective of this communication is:
➡️ emotional mobilisation ➡️ delegitimising the opponent ➡️ creating a security vs. danger narrative.
One month before the election, we are in the lead; Hungarians know what is at stake and whom they can count on. While Péter Magyar has struck a deal with Zelenskyy, Viktor Orbán is standing firm against the oil blockade and has introduced a protected fuel price.
On April 12, Fidesz is the safe choice!
It is 46–41 for Fidesz according to their latest public opinion poll, and 67% of people support the protected fuel price. People know exactly which party serves Hungarian interests and which one serves Ukrainian interests.
1️⃣ Building a Winning Narrative
(bandwagon framing / inevitability framing)
Excerpt
“We are leading one month before the elections…”
Technique
Right in the opening sentence, the communication suggests that ➡️ the outcome of the election is practically already decided.
Key elements
“we are leading”
“one month before the elections”
This is the classic bandwagon effect (joining the winner).
Goal
influence undecided voters
create the perception of being on the winning side
Effect
The reader may develop the feeling that:
“they will win anyway”
“it’s worth joining the winning side”
2️⃣ Dramatising the National Stakes
(high-stakes framing)
Excerpt
“Hungarians know what is at stake”
Technique
The election is framed not as a normal political decision, but as a historically significant turning point.
Key elements
“what is at stake”
collective reference to “Hungarians”
Goal
amplify the perceived importance of the election
increase emotional engagement
Effect
The reader may feel that:
“this is a decisive election”
“a position must be taken now”
3️⃣ Construction of an Enemy Image
(external enemy framing)
Excerpt
“Péter Magyar has made a deal with Zelensky”
Technique
The opponent is portrayed as a political actor collaborating with foreign interests.
Key elements
“made a deal”
“Zelensky”
This is a classic external enemy narrative.
Goal
weaken the legitimacy of the opponent
frame the conflict as national vs. foreign interests
Effect
The reader may think:
“the opposition serves foreign interests”
“the government protects Hungarian interests”
4️⃣ Image of the Protective Leader
(protector leadership framing)
Excerpt
“Viktor Orbán does not give in to the oil blockade and introduced a protected price.”
Technique
The leader is portrayed as a national protector.
Key elements
“does not give in”
“protected price”
This is the protector narrative.
Goal
create the image of a strong and decisive leader
legitimize economic policy decisions
Effect
The reader may feel that:
“Orbán protects the country”
“the government stands up against external pressure”
5️⃣ The “Safe Choice” Narrative
(certainty framing)
Excerpt
“Fidesz is the safe choice.”
Technique
The election is framed as security vs. risk.
Key elements
“safe”
implicit contrast: “uncertain”
Goal
appeal to risk-averse voters
promise stability
Effect
The reader may feel:
“it’s better to choose the safe option”
6️⃣ Legitimisation Through Numbers
(statistical persuasion)
Excerpt
“46–41 for Fidesz… 67% support the protected fuel price.”
Technique
The use of percentages and numbers strengthens the appearance of majority support.
Key elements
“46–41”
“67%”
This is a data-based reinforcement technique.
Goal
make the claim appear objective
emphasise majority support
Effect
The reader may think:
“the majority supports this”
7️⃣ Dividing Society into Two Camps
(ingroup–outgroup framing)
Excerpt
“the one that serves Hungarian interests” “the one that serves Ukrainian interests”
Technique
The communication divides the political space into two opposing camps:
“Hungarian interests”
“Ukrainian interests”
Goal
create an identity-based political choice
strengthen political polarisation
Effect
The reader may think:
“if you are not with us, you serve other interests”
Summary
The text combines several classic campaign communication techniques:
Main narratives
bandwagon effect (joining the winner)
external enemy narrative
strong leader image
emphasis on majority support
security vs. risk framing
Core message
➡️ “Fidesz is leading, the majority supports it, and the government protects Hungary from foreign interests.”
🚨 The upcoming election may be the last one in which we can decide who will be at the helm if Europe drifts into war.
And Brussels leaders such as Ursula von der Leyen or Manfred Weber appear to be preparing for that possibility. Anyone who believes that talk of war is merely fear-mongering should listen to what the British and French chiefs of staff have said, or most recently what Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, warning that a third world war could come.
🟠 As long as a national government remains in power, Hungary will stay on the side of peace, and we will not send weapons, money, or soldiers to Ukraine. That is why Fidesz is the only safe choice.
I also often encounter the argument among voters that there is no war here and that all of this is just Fidesz scaremongering — that everything is fine and that we always say people should be afraid of someone. To those who say this, I suggest listening to what several European politicians have said in recent weeks.
Listen to what the British and French chiefs of staff are saying. Listen to what the leadership of the European Union is saying. And don’t believe us — there is no need to believe Fidesz — believe those European leaders who are talking about the possibility that by 2029 Europe could be at war.
I believe the time has come for those who bear responsibility in Europe to face that responsibility. Europe is preparing for this possibility. Leaders, governments, and institutions are all discussing how to prepare, how to support Ukraine, and how to respond if necessary.
Let me add one more thing. Zelenskyy himself recently said that he believes there is a strong chance that a third world war could come. European leaders are calculating with this scenario.
And the election ahead of us may be the last one where we can decide who will be at the helm in such a dangerous time, if this truly happens. Europe is preparing for it — and we must decide who will lead Hungary if that moment comes.
1️⃣ Construction of an existential threat
(fear framing / existential threat framing)
Excerpt
“This will be the last election when we can decide who will be at the helm if Europe is dragged into war.”
Technique
The election is presented not as a normal political choice but as a historic turning point. The communication uses the possibility of a future war to dramatically raise the stakes.
Key elements
“last election”
“Europe is dragged into war”
“dangerous times”
Goal
➡️ evoke fear ➡️ maximize the perceived importance of the election ➡️ mobilize uncertain voters
Effect
The reader may feel:
“everything will be decided now”
“this is a matter of survival”
2️⃣ Construction of an external enemy
(external enemy framing)
Excerpt
“Brussels leaders such as von der Leyen or Weber are preparing for this.”
Technique
The communication presents the conflict as the intentional plan of external powers.
Key elements
“Brussels”
EU leaders
preparation for war
Goal
➡️ strengthen the sovereignty narrative ➡️ create a “us vs. them” framework
Effect
The reader may think:
“Brussels poses a danger to Hungary”
“the country must be defended”
3️⃣ Appeal to authority
(appeal to authority)
Excerpt
“Listen to what the British and French chiefs of staff have said.”
Technique
The text refers to military leaders and political figures to make the claim appear more credible.
Key elements
British chief of staff
French chief of staff
Zelensky
Goal
➡️ legitimize the claim ➡️ create the impression that this is not propaganda but fact
Effect
The reader may feel:
“if military leaders say this, the situation must be serious”
4️⃣ Binary framing of the political choice
(binary framing / false dilemma)
Excerpt
“Fidesz is the only safe choice.”
Technique
The communication simplifies the political landscape into two options:
Fidesz = peace
others = war
Goal
➡️ delegitimize alternatives ➡️ simplify the electoral choice
Effect
The reader may feel:
“if I want peace, there is only one option”
5️⃣ Pre-emptive neutralization of opposing views
(pre-emptive rebuttal)
Excerpt
“Many people say this is just scaremongering…”
Technique
The text anticipates criticism and then weakens it.
Structure
present the criticism
relativize it
reinforce the original claim
Goal
➡️ reduce the impact of counter-arguments ➡️ protect the narrative
Effect
Readers may become more likely to dismiss critical opinions.
6️⃣ National protection narrative
(protector framing)
Excerpt
“As long as there is a national government, Hungary will remain on the side of peace.”
Technique
The communication portrays the government as a protector.
Key elements
“national government”
“remain on the side of peace”
“we will not send weapons”
Goal
➡️ strengthen the legitimacy of the government ➡️ create a sense of security
Effect
The reader may feel:
“the government protects us”
Summary
The communication structure of the text:
1️⃣ Fear appeal – Europe may be heading toward war 2️⃣ External enemy – Brussels and Western leaders 3️⃣ Appeal to authority – military leaders 4️⃣ Binary choice – peace vs. war 5️⃣ Pre-emptive neutralization of criticism 6️⃣ Government as protector
This combination is typical election campaign communication, where the core message becomes:
➡️ security vs. danger ➡️ national government vs. external forces
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.
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.
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:
🚨 From the leaked economic plan of the Tisza Party we know that they would make healthcare paid and reduce the number of hospital beds — something Zoltán Tarr has also spoken about.
The national government, however, believes that healthcare should not be dismantled but further developed. We are using both domestic and European Union funds for this purpose, and this will continue in the future as well. For us, what is good for Hungarians is what matters — both in healthcare and in Hungary’s future.
🟠 That is why Fidesz is the reliable choice.
According to the Tisza Party’s program — their leaked program — they would reintroduce a paid component into healthcare and place greater emphasis on it, while also reducing the number of hospital beds, as Zoltán Tarr has stated.
We believe this is not the right direction. We believe the Hungarian healthcare system must continue to be developed. It is such a large system that the work will never truly be finished — there will always be improvements to make. What we want is to move forward step by step in developing it.
For this, we use both domestic resources and European Union funds, and this will continue to be the case in the future as well.
Propaganda and Influence Techniques in the Text
1️⃣ “Leaked plan” narrative (leaked plan framing)
Excerpt
“From the leaked economic plan of the Tisza Party we know that…”
Technique
The communication refers to an allegedly leaked document.
Key elements
“leaked plan”
“we know that”
This is a common political rhetorical tool used to:
➡️ create the appearance of evidence ➡️ legitimize a claim without a verifiable source
The word “leaked” creates the impression of secret insider information, which increases perceived credibility even if the content itself is not verified.
Goal
to present the claim as a fact
to frame the opponent’s intentions negatively
Effect
Readers may think:
“If it was leaked, it must be true.”
2️⃣ Fear framing through the loss of healthcare
Excerpt
“they would make healthcare paid” “they would reduce the number of hospital beds”
Technique
The communication exploits one of the strongest social fears:
➡️ loss of healthcare access ➡️ deterioration of medical services
This is a typical campaign tool because:
it affects every voter
it is particularly sensitive for older voters.
Goal
create a sense of existential threat
mobilize voters emotionally.
Effect
Readers may think:
“If they come to power, we will have to pay for hospitals.”
3️⃣ Enemy vs. protector framing (protector narrative)
Excerpt
“The national government believes that healthcare should not be dismantled but further developed.”
Technique
The communication constructs two opposing poles:
Enemy
Protector
Tisza Party
Government
dismantling
development
paid healthcare
improved healthcare
This is one of the most classic propaganda frameworks.
Goal
Present the election as a good vs. bad choice.
Effect
Readers may perceive:
“They destroy – we build.”
4️⃣ Appeal to authority
Excerpt
“Tarr Zoltán also spoke about this.”
Technique
The message refers to a person as supporting evidence.
However:
no quotation is provided
no context is given
no exact source is cited.
This represents the logical fallacy of appeal to authority.
Goal
Increase the perceived credibility of the claim.
Effect
Readers may think:
“If someone said it publicly, it must be true.”
5️⃣ Repetition framing
The text repeats the same claims multiple times:
“leaked program”
“paid healthcare”
“reducing hospital beds”
Technique
Repetition is one of the strongest propaganda tools.
In communication psychology this is known as the:
illusory truth effect
➡️ the more often people hear something ➡️ the more likely they are to believe it.
Goal
Embed the claim deeply in voters’ minds.
6️⃣ National interest framing
Excerpt
“What is good for us is what is good for Hungarians.”
Technique
The communication equates the government’s political position with the national interest itself.
This is a very common rhetorical strategy in politics.
Goal
create moral superiority
implicitly delegitimize the opponent
Effect
Readers may perceive:
“Anyone opposing them is opposing the interests of Hungarians.”
7️⃣ Binary election framing
Excerpt
“That is why Fidesz is the safe choice.”
Technique
The communication simplifies the political decision.
The framework becomes:
Bad choice
Good choice
Tisza
Fidesz
This is known as binary framing.
Goal
Reduce political complexity and eliminate nuance in voter decision-making.
8️⃣ Development promise narrative
Excerpt
“31 billion forints” “50 institutions will be renewed”
Technique
The communication uses specific numbers and investments.
Numbers create the impression of precision and credibility, even when the broader context is missing.
Goal
Emphasize government performance and investment.
The Overall Communication Narrative
The text constructs a classic campaign structure:
Narrative structure
1️⃣ Enemy ➡️ “paid healthcare”
2️⃣ Threat ➡️ “reduction of hospital beds”
3️⃣ Protector ➡️ “the national government”
4️⃣ Solution ➡️ “Fidesz is the safe choice”
This is a typical campaign propaganda framework.
✅ Summary
The text uses at least seven classic propaganda techniques:
❗ The health of Hungarians must not become a subject of political bargaining! ❗
On April 12, we will not only decide the direction of our country, but also the future of our health. The government has now decided that nearly 86,000 square meters of 50 healthcare institutions can be renovated in Budapest and across the country. More than 31 billion forints will be invested to renew institutions such as the North-Buda St. John’s Centrum Hospital, the Budapest St. Francis Hospital, and the Bethesda Children’s Hospital.
👉 In contrast, we can see what the Tisza Party is preparing for. Their leaked program and the statements of their experts have revealed their real intentions. Péter Magyar and his allies would bring back the era of paid healthcare. And they would not stop there: they would take away free healthcare for our children and impose a brutal dismantling of healthcare services in rural areas.
While they pose in T-shirts with Ukrainian flags, vote to ban cheap Russian energy, and lobby against Hungarian funding, the government is taking action. In our view, instead of sending money to Ukraine, there would be a better place for that money in Budapest’s healthcare institutions.
In recent years, through the Healthy Budapest Program, the government has spent more than 133 billion forints on hospitals and outpatient clinics in Budapest and its surrounding region.
🟠 Hungary needs a government that protects free healthcare and continues to build and develop our hospitals. That is why Fidesz is the safe choice.
It is truly a joyful moment to once again be able to report to you about another healthcare development in Budapest. This is not the first and it will not be the last, because in recent years the government has continuously developed healthcare in Budapest and the surrounding region through the Healthy Budapest Program. Healthcare institutions worth 133 billion forints have been renewed or are currently being renewed.
One might think that regardless of political affiliation, we could all agree that if healthcare improves—if Hungarian people can receive better-quality medical care in better institutions—then that is something to celebrate. Yet the developments of recent months have shown that this is not necessarily the case.
The Tisza Party, it seems, believes that the worse things are for Hungarian people, the better it is politically for them. One of their representatives in the capital, Kinga Kollár, even spoke smilingly about how they are pleased when hospital developments in Hungary are delayed, because they expect this to help the Tisza Party win.
I believe Hungarian people can tell the difference between those who genuinely want what is good for them and those who see them only as an opportunity for political gain. And they will make their decision accordingly in April.
Because in April we are not only choosing our fate — we are choosing our future.
1. Fear Appeal and Raising Existential Stakes
Excerpt: “On April 12, we will decide not only the direction of our country, but also the future of our health.”
Technique: The election is framed not as a normal political decision but as a vital turning point. This is a classic fear framing and high-stakes framing technique.
Goal: To make the reader feel that “everything is at risk,” leaving no room for uncertainty or criticism.
Effect: The audience may become more likely to decide emotionally rather than through calm, rational evaluation.
The fact that April 12, 2026 is indeed the date of the Hungarian parliamentary election is officially listed on the election website.
2. Own Side as Protector, Opponent as Destroyer
Excerpt: “the government is acting” vs. “Péter Magyar and his allies would bring back the era of paid healthcare”
Technique: A sharp good–bad dichotomy. One side builds, develops, and protects; the other destroys, takes away, and dismantles.
Goal: To morally simplify the political landscape:
us = care and protection
them = danger
Effect: The text leaves no room for nuance or policy debate. The political choice becomes a moral choice.
3. Healthcare as an Emotional Shield
Excerpt: “The health of Hungarians cannot be a subject of political bargaining!”
Technique: Healthcare is framed as a topic that stands above any political debate. This is a form of claiming the moral high ground.
Goal: Anyone who questions the message can more easily be portrayed as someone speaking against people’s health.
Effect: Delegitimization of criticism: disagreement may appear immoral rather than a legitimate policy argument.
Technique: This creates the appearance of data-driven persuasion. Numerous concrete figures suggest objectivity and seriousness.
Goal: To make the text appear more credible, even if the political conclusions drawn from those numbers are not demonstrated.
Effect: Readers may accept the narrative more easily because the numbers create a “fact-based atmosphere.”
The healthcare development narrative partly refers to real public programs: the Healthy Budapest Program, where investments in the tens of billions—and the 133 billion figure—also appear in official government and municipal documents.
5. Building an Enemy Image of the Tisza Party
Excerpt: “the veil has fallen from their real intentions” “paid healthcare” “they would take away our children’s free care” “they would unleash brutal healthcare cuts on the countryside”
Technique: Classic enemy framing and demonization. The opponent is not simply presented as having different policies but as harboring hidden, harmful intentions.
Goal: To generate fear and distrust toward the opposition.
Effect: The voter is no longer choosing between programs but is instead “defending” against a supposed threat.
Important: the text makes very strong claims here, but these appear as accusations, not as proven policy analyses. From a propaganda perspective, this makes them especially powerful.
6. Involving Children as Emotional Pressure
Excerpt: “they would take away our children’s free healthcare”
Technique: Referring to children is one of the strongest emotional triggers. This is protect-the-children framing.
Goal: To provoke an immediate emotional reaction, especially among parents and grandparents.
Effect: The audience may question the claim less because the statement activates an instinctive protective response.
7. Linking an External Enemy to the Internal Opponent
Excerpt: “While they pose in Ukrainian flag T-shirts…” “There would be a better place for that money in Budapest hospitals than in Ukraine…”
Technique: This combines foreign enemy framing with an internal traitor narrative. The domestic opponent is portrayed as serving foreign interests.
Goal: To present the Tisza Party not merely as a political rival but as a force aligned with external interests.
Effect: Domestic political competition becomes framed as a struggle over sovereignty or national defense.
8. The Narrative: “We Build, They Obstruct”
Excerpt: “the government is acting” “they are happy when hospital developments are delayed”
Technique: A combination of victim framing and active leadership framing. One side is responsible and constructive, the other cynical and harmful.
Goal: To position the government as a caring force and the opponent as malicious.
Effect: Readers may feel the issue is not a normal political disagreement but a question of who truly wants what is good for the Hungarian people.
9. Simplifying the Election to a Single Correct Choice
Excerpt: “We need a government that…” “That is why Fidesz is the safe choice!”
Technique: This is false dilemma framing combined with certainty framing. It suggests that only one safe and responsible option exists.
Goal: To eliminate uncertainty and reduce deliberation.
Effect: Undecided voters may be pulled toward the message of the “safe choice.”
10. Alternating Good News and Threat
Excerpt: “This is a truly joyful moment…” then immediately: “but… the Tisza Party… the worse things are for Hungarians…”
Technique: This relies on emotional fluctuation:
first positive pride
then outrage
then fear
finally reassurance: “Fidesz is the safe choice.”
Goal: To strengthen the message by intensifying emotional engagement.
Effect: The text does not primarily inform; it guides the reader emotionally through a pre-designed narrative path.
Overall Picture
From a propaganda perspective, the strength of this text lies in how it combines several layers at once:
positive self-image: we build, develop, and protect
fear appeal: healthcare is in danger
enemy image: Tisza = dismantling and paid healthcare
external threat: Ukraine, Brussels
emotional triggers: children, rural healthcare, free care
single-solution narrative: Fidesz = the safe choice
In other words, it is not simple information but a complete political persuasion package.
The Core Propaganda Formula (in One Sentence)
Fear appeal + moral pressure + enemy construction + numbers that simulate factual credibility + the message that “only we can protect you.”
