Hungarians impatiently await promised “fairy tale”

At least 300,000 Hungarians work in western Europe, according to government estimates, apparently unpersuaded that conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s go-it-alone and often unpredictable policies can solve the nation’s problems.

Those still in Hungary are convinced neither by Orban’s unconventional style of economics and politics, which has led to conflict at home and abroad, nor by a weak opposition. An Ipsos opinion poll last month showed 53 percent of voters – or 4.2 million people – had no party preference whatsoever.