When politicians say the quiet part out loud – POLITICO

When Hungary’s Viktor Orbán arrived at an EU summit in 2015, Jean-Claude Juncker said “the dictator is coming” and greeted him with a playful slap to the face.

The then-European Commission president’s jab was a revealing glimpse into a political dynamic usually kept behind closed doors, or even just in leaders’ heads. Whether gaffe or veiled signal, the stunt sparked discussions about Hungary’s democratic backsliding.

When everything they say is scrutinized and every statement twisted by political opponents, politicians have learned the need to keep quiet, to polish their communications and stay diplomatic. But under extraordinary pressure, in private or as a joke, the mask slips — betraying more than carefully worded speeches ever will.