Viktor Orbán trekt alles uit de kast & Iraniërs over de toekomst

·24 min·2 clips

Hungary's opposition candidate Peter Madjar claims Sunday could end Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule, while Iranians face a communication blackout after war.

The episode opens by framing two parallel stories: Hungary's pivotal election and Iran's post-war uncertainty. It first focuses on Hungary, where journalist Tijn Sadeh reports from Budapest on the campaign between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and opposition candidate Peter Madjar. Sadeh explains that Madjar leads in polls with 49% to Orbán's 39%, but cautions that previous elections saw Orbán win despite similar predictions. He details Orbán's 16-year grip on power, including control over 80% of media and changes to the election system through gerrymandering, which advantages his candidates in districts. Sadeh notes that Orbán has used myths like migrant invasions and now Ukraine to scare voters, but analysts suggest these may no longer work due to issues like corruption and brain drain. The discussion reveals Madjar's conservative platform, which avoids topics like EU sanctions on Hungary or LGBT rights, focusing instead on unlocking frozen EU funds and fighting corruption. Sadeh also exposes Orbán's ties to Russia, citing documents where Orbán assures Putin of his service, driven by Hungary's dependency on Russian energy. The episode then shifts to Iran, featuring activists Martine and Azar. They describe a 41-day internet blockade preventing contact with family, with only brief, guarded calls about well-being. They recount the emotional rollercoaster of Trump's threats and a subsequent temporary deal, expressing relief but fear of regime crackdowns, referencing past executions under false espionage accusations. The activists debate whether external military intervention can bring change, with both agreeing that wars in countries like Libya and Syria have not delivered democracy. They argue that democracy must come from within and call for the EU to prioritize human rights in upcoming negotiations between Iran and the US, rather than focusing solely on nuclear deals. The episode concludes with Azar promoting an event to demand European political responsibility for Iran's human rights situation.

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