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Economist Podcasts

What Viktor’s spoiled: ten years of Orban

Economist Podcasts

The Economist

News, News & Politics

4.35K Ratings

🗓️ 9 April 2020

⏱️ 23 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Under Hungary’s shape-shifting prime minister the country has essentially become a dictatorship—and it seems there is little the European Union can do about it. We examine the serious mental-health effects the covid-19 crisis is having—and will have in the future. And Japan’s #KuToo movement aims to reform some seriously sexist dress codes at work. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/radiooffer



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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello and welcome to the intelligence on Economist Radio.

0:07.1

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

0:09.0

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

0:17.5

COVID-19 is exacting a toll even from those who don't have the disease.

0:21.6

It's clear that being cooped up amid tumbling economies

0:24.6

is already seriously impacting people's mental health.

0:28.6

Helpfully, lots of resources are being put together for those in need.

0:32.6

And you'll have heard of me too, but what about coup too?

0:36.6

It's a movement in Japan to reform seriously sexist employer dress codes that insist on high heels or prohibit eyeglasses.

0:45.3

The push has plenty of support, but not so far in the government.

0:57.0

First up, though. Amid the chaos caused by COVID-19, some leaders see opportunity.

1:05.0

Last week, in response to the coronavirus, the Hungarian parliament passed a law granting Prime Minister

1:14.9

Viktor Orban the power to rule by decree, indefinitely. Extraordinary times might call for extraordinary

1:22.2

measures. But to critics of Mr. Orban and his party, Fidej, it's a power grab by a leader who has long displayed an authoritarian streak.

1:31.3

The European Union should be no place for dictatorships.

1:35.4

Over the years, Mr. Orban has drawn plenty of ire from Brussels.

1:39.3

You, you want to continue the money of the European funds, the money of the European Union, but not the European values.

1:46.6

That's not for you.

1:48.4

But the bloc has so far struggled to rein him in as he's chipped away at Hungary's democracy.

1:53.9

This year marks his tenth as Prime Minister.

1:57.0

After a decade of democratic backsliding, this latest move looks like the coup de grace.

2:04.3

Victor Orban started out as a young liberal student hero of Hungary's 1989 transition from

...

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