On Hungarian frontier, support for prime minister’s tough refugee stance

Hungarian riot police roughly handle migrants at the border crossing with Serbia in Roszke, Hungary, on Sept. 16. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)

By Anna Fifield October 2

BEREMEND, Hungary – At the beginning of this year, Viktor Orban was adrift. His ruling Fidesz party had won three sets of elections in 2014 but had been badly hurt by political infighting, a scandal in financial brokerages and a controversial plan to tax Internet usage.

Hungary’s conservative prime minister needed an issue to galvanize support.

On Hungarian Frontier, Support for Prime Minister’s Tough Refugee Stance by Thavam Ratna