Hungary’s strongman denounced in a speech Saturday “mixed race” nations. While there was outrage in Europe about his racist comment, there was silence from some political circles like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, which are Orbán’s admirers.
He said in Romania over the weekend that migration had split Europe and that Europeans who mix with non-Europeans “are no longer nations: they are nothing more than a conglomeration of peoples.” He added: “In the Carpathian Basin [region shared by Romania and Hungary], we are not mixed race. We are willing to mix with one another, but we do not want to become mixed race.”
When analyzing Finland’s media on reporting about Orbán’s claim, one important matter is what was left out of the story.
In reporting about Orbán’s claim, nothing was mentioned about how the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party, specifically its former chairperson, Jussi Halla-aho, reacted. The media could have approached chairperson Riikka Purra, who continues to push the great replacement theory, and even MEP Laura Huhtasaari, who took a selfie with the Hungarian strongman.
There was no reaction from any PS politicians about what Orbán said, and the reason is clear.
The PS is at war against people who don’t have a far-right racist worldview.
Not holding politicians accountable for their past statements is like the silence after a racist act because it reveals denial and approval.
