Viktor Orban, European benefactor

Viktor Orban may have created many headaches for the European Union and is likely to cause many more if Hungary's isolation strengthens the self-justifying cries of nationalist-populists across the bloc.

It is quite possible, though, that the Hungarian prime minister may turn out to be a benefactor of the EU: His extremist policies and his unequivocal rejection of the principles of liberal democracy obliged a broad majority of parties in the European Parliament to take a clear stand in defense of the Union.

They adopted a motion in favor of invoking Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, which could lead to sanctions against Hungary for violating fundamental EU values.

At a time when many fear that European countries are sliding toward ever more nationalistic behavior, threatening the Union's stability and cohesion, Orban, who has been in power for eight...

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