Historical Memory as a Political Tool for Legitimacy by FIDESZ Government in Hungary

Abstract: This research will try to examine the strategy of FIDESZ government, the current government of Hungary, in acquiring political legitimacy. The thesis found that political legitimacy of Hungary has a pattern of relation between the regime and historical memory; this relation can be seen since the end of communist regime in 1989, which has been centred at the representations of historical memory to the public by political actors. The representations have become a tool for political actors to make them legitimate and gain popularity among the public. Thus, this paper will elaborate the political legitimacy of Hungary by focusing on the use of historical memory of the present government. In order to do so, it will analyse the text within the new constitution of 2011 and the speeches of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as he is the major political actor of the current government and, as the premier, he has opportunities to communicate with Hungariansvery often. Thus, he has more opportunities to control political discourses for his and his party’s interest.