To the Editor:

Re “The Case for Populism” (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Oct. 16):

I believe that M aria Schmidt badly mischaracterizes what is happening in Hungary today. The brand of populism she champions is in reality rank authoritarianism.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has converted Hungary’s democracy into a one-party state, doling out favors to cronies and using his powers to punish all those who dare to dissent. He has imposed draconian restrictions on the media and NGOs, and there is ample evidence of his packing the courts, trampling the rule of law.

He has demonized immigrants and refugees — harming his country’s economy and drawing the wrath of the European Parliament. As he tightens his grip on power, civil society — including the Open Society Foundations, founded by the philanthropist George Soros, where I serve as president — have been driven out of the country or forced underground.

Thankfully, the people of Hungary have begun pushing back. The opposition elected a new mayor of Budapest and a number of other Hungarian cities, dealing Mr. Orban his biggest setback in more than a decade.