András Bíró-Nagy and Tamás Boros, co-directors of Policy Solutions have published a new analysis on the strategy shift of Jobbik, Hungary's far-right party. The book chapter entitled 'Jobbik going mainstream. Strategy shift of the far-right in Hungary' is a contribution to a new book on the 'Extreme Right in Europe' (editor: Jerome Jamin, publisher: Bruylant). 

This study focuses on Jobbik’s mainstreaming campaign, which was launched in autumn 2013 and has been characteristic in the party’s communication since then. First, the underlying motivations of Jobbik’s people’s party strategy are analysed. Besides the opportunities that the new strategy offers to Jobbik, the limitations are also discussed. We also investigate the main characteristics of Jobbik’s de-demonization strategy, both in terms of content and communication. Second, by comparing data on Jobbik’s voting base in 2010 and 2015, we assess to what extent the strategy shift has contributed to address the strategic challenges of Jobbik. Third, the interaction between Jobbik and the traditional Hungarian mainstream parties will be analysed. Fourth, an overview of the institutionalised far-right, Jobbik’s subculture and intellectual hinterland is included in the study. Jobbik has carefully focused on building an extensive set of background institutions in the last few years with the aim to support the work of the national party. The last chapter will present the most important elements of the “Jobbik empire”. 

The study can be downloaded from the following link: András Bíró-Nagy - Tamás Boros: Jobbik going mainstream. Strategy shift of the far-right in Hungary.