John Ahlquist

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People marching against Prime Minister Viktor Orban flash the lights of their mobile phones in Budapest last month. Hungarians will vote Sunday in parliamentary elections, choosing 199 lawmakers. Polls say Orban should win a third consecutive term. (Darko Vojinovic/Associated Press)

How does a democracy collapse? We often envision military coups or corrupt politicians stuffing ballot boxes, sending their opponents to prison and declaring martial law.

The story in Hungary shows a far more subtle erosion of democracy — one where politicians took advantage of transitory control of the legislature to rewrite the rules of the political game.

Hungary, where elections are being held Sunday, is an example of how elected politicians can strictly follow the letter of the law and yet manage to tilt the playing field to their benefit. Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his governing Fidesz party implemented a variety of reforms between 2010 and 2014.…  Seguir leyendo »