The less than one-year-old Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) was founded by ex-members of Jobbik. The new radical nationalist party’s program focuses on Roma issues, the EU and criticism of Hungary’s current political landscape.
The main message of Mi Hazánk’s 36-page-long program is that “Hungary is for Hungarians and Europe is for Europeans.” According to the party’s communiqué, “immigration of different cultures is threatening, and a mixed Europe is unacceptable.”
The party blames previous governments for the “Roma problem” and the “failed Roma integration.” But, Mi Hazánk claims to be able to permanently solve the issue by supporting “hardworking and well-behaved” Roma leaders and sending petty criminals to Siberia under a future agreement with Russia.
Last week, the party announced its plan to establish the ‘National Legion,’ a paramilitary similar to the controversial Magyar Gárda (Hungarian Guard). The party will also cooperate with the Independent Smallholders, Agrarian Workers and Civic Party (FKGP) and the Hungarian Justice and Life Party (MIÉP). Betyársereg, a militant far-right organization, is also regularly present at Mi Hazánk’s events.
Far-Right Mi Hazánk Aims to Revive Paramilitaries and Intimidating Marches
The party aims to present itself as a third option apart from Fidesz and the left-liberal forces. This includes Jobbik as, according to Mi Hazánk, it supports the same, failed unpatriotic economic policies that expose Hungary to foreign interests despite claiming to oppose them. Mi Hazánk promises to exclusively give money to Hungarian employers and enterprises in an attempt to raise Hungarian wages to the Western European level.
The party champions a Europe formed by nation states instead of the communist-like, centralized leadership of today. In addition, it’s prepared to hold a vote on Hungary’s EU membership.
While Mi Hazánk constantly tries to depict itself as the 'third pole', many speculate that it’s secretly coordinating and working with Fidesz in an attempt to alienate Jobbik and discredit it and the opposition as a whole. For example, Mi Hazánk has advertised on the same billboards previously used by Fidesz. Meanwhile, Jobbik and other opposition parties were forced out of the market. In addition, many also note that the party's politicians are 'over-represented' in pro-Fidesz and pro-govt media – including the state channels. Moreover, many have come to the conclusion that the party’s program is merely a slightly more radical version of Fidesz’s.
Mi Hazánk’s lead candidate is party leader László Toroczkai, the Mayor of Ásotthalom, a village by the Serbian border heavily hit by the migration crisis. He left Jobbik after being voted down by current chairman Tamás Sneider following the turmoil after last year’s general elections. Former Jobbik politician Dóra Dúró is second on the party’s EP list and Municipal Councilor János Árgyelán is third. If Mi Hazánk makes it to the EP, it doesn’t plan on entering any party families. Instead, it hopes to establish a new one, cooperating with, for example, the Bulgarian nationalist Ataka (Attack).
The party is unlikely to gain a seat, however, as most pollsters estimate its chances to be between one and two percent.
In the featured photo: László Toroczkai. Photo by Balázs Mohai/MTI