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Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he welcomes the dispute ignited by new statues honoring World War II-era leader Miklos Horthy, a one-time Hitler ally.

Horthy was Hungary’s regent during World War II and a controversial, deeply divisive figure. In the eyes of some, he protected Hungary’s rights amid times of trouble. Others condemn him as an ally of Adolf Hitler who led Hungary to war on the Nazi German side.

Horthy sought to reverse the Treaty of Trianon, as a result of which Hungary had lost most of its territory to neighboring countries after World War I. He fought for a “big Hungary” and intended to gain those territories back at any cost.


These are ideas supported by Hungary’s right wing, which would like to claim the territories that now belong to Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, and Austria.

Horthy’s bust in Csokako, northern Hungary, was unveiled over the weekend by the Hungarian Guard and the Sixty-Four Counties Youth Movement, far-right groups affiliated with some members of Jobbik, a parliamentary party.

“It’s solely the local government that decides on establishing a monument,” Mr. Orban, the country’s prime minister, said in a Sunday interview with Austrian daily Die Presse, adding the debate over Horthy has been “long and difficult.” He added it’s not his role as prime minister to make the final verdict.

“I’d prefer the debate to continue. Hungary is a democracy. If people want to discuss something, they have to discuss it,” the premier said, adding he would firmly oppose erecting monuments for such dictators as Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin and Hitler.

The regular, albeit sporadic appearance of Horthy statues and street names is read by some as a sign of Hungary’s right increasing its influence amid economic hardship. Hungary will likely be in recession this year, salaries remain low, while consumer price inflation and unemployment are high. A range of new taxes directly–or indirectly through companies and banks–add to the pressure as the government seeks to keep its deficit in check.

Some observers have said the Fidesz party is trying to take the wind out of the radical parties’ sail by embracing the right-wing agenda. Since the elections of 2010, the governing party has lost half of the support it enjoyed when it was winning the elections in a landslide. The lion’s share of its electorate is now in the undecided camp, and part is with Jobbik.

The Socialists, who stand in radical opposition to the government, have criticized the ruling Fidesz party for what they see as nurturing nationalist notions.
