Fidesz has made no secret of its growing dislike of the European Union and especially its representatives. Viviane Reding is only the most recent high profile target in a long series of attacks on the EU and some of its leading politicians. Fidesz needs certain faces to attach to its anti-Europeanism at a time when the invocation of nebulous international forces attacking Hungary is emerging as key mobilising notion for the 2014 campaign.

It's probably not a good idea to get on Fidesz's wrong side when Hungary's governing is in campaign mode. Even at its most relaxed, Fidesz's propaganda machinery is not known for its subtlety and finesse, but with an election pending it's more like a swarm of sharks with a scent. To said sharks, European Commissioner for Justice Viviane Reding must seem like a tasty appetiser en route to the main course due next spring.

Policy Solutions' analysis can be downloaded from here.