Why does the Hungarian electorate put up with this? The answer is threefold. In economic terms the country is enjoying a relatively good decade, and many families are feeling the benefits despite the record-shattering income gap, and mind-boggling stories like the one of Orbán's childhood friend, the village gas fitter Lőrincz Mészáros, who since 2010 has risen from complete nobody to the 2057th richest person on the planet. Wages are up, unemployment is down, and about half a million mostly young and educated people have moved to other EU countries. Brussels is spending over 4 billion euros a year on Hungary, adding 3 to 4 percent to the county's Gross National Income.
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But there is one more way Europe could help: By sending election observers. The guy is a cheater.