Ethnic politics and competition between right-wing populist parties in Hungary

The success of radical right-wing populist parties can only be understood with reference to issues and policies surrounding ethnic minorities. This chapter explores competition in the field of ethnic minority politics between two Hungarian right-wing parties, Jobbik and Fidesz, in the period 2010—2014. It outlines the role of minority groups in the discourses and policies of radical right populist parties and presents an overview of Fidesz and Jobbik and discusses the driving forces behind their electoral successes in the elections of 2010. One of the most pressing questions related to the consequences of the success of radical right populist parties is whether and in which ways they have an impact on the behavior of their mainstream competitors. The discourse of radical right-wing populist parties combines populism, nationalism, and nativism. Hungary is one of the most ethnically homogenous countries in Eastern Europe. Issues of national identity are central to the discourse of radical right populist parties.