A Glorious Defeat

... migrant resettlement plans took part in the vote, while more liberal-minded voters stayed away. However, the actual situation is different: supporters of socialist parties also voted against the measure, while some right-wing voters approved of it. The referendum’s major weakness was the lack of awareness among citizens who they were voting for and against. It was unclear how the vote related to the political line of Viktor Orban’s party Fidesz. Armed with the firsthand knowledge of the migrant crisis of 2014—2016, Hungary is generally opposed to migrant resettlement. Nine out of every 10 Hungarians frown on even the free movement of refugees across Europe and their resettlement in their country. Just like other countries opposing ...