After 16 years in power, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was defeated in a landslide election by European Parliament member Peter Magyar. Orban has been largely criticized for his government’s attacks against rule of law, free speech, educational institutions, and civil society groups. He has also been criticized for his alliances with Vladimir Putin and President Trump, who endorsed him shortly before his electoral defeat. Under his government, international organizations have described Hungary as backsliding to being an illiberal democracy. Magyar has pledged to work more closely with the EU and NATO; fight corruption, a serious issue within the Orban government; and “restore the system of checks and balances.”
Viktor Orban has been active in Hungarian politics since the country’s independence in 1989. He has served continuously in parliament since the first post-Soviet election, and served as Prime Minister from 1998-2002 and from 2010 until his defeat in early April. Notably, after the 2010 parliamentary elections his party, Fidesz, won a slim parliamentary supermajority, and used this to swiftly amend the constitution (12 times in his government’s first year). He has also clashed with both the EU, which has frozen billions in funding after accusations of civil rights and rule of law violations, and with NATO, where he stood as its most pro-Russian voice.
Around the world, Trump-aligned politicians have seen shocking defeats. In Canada, the Liberal Party’s defeat by the Conservative’s Pierre Polievre, who promised to “Make Canada Great Again” was almost certain, until his associations with Trump became too strong amidst talks about making Canada the 51st state. And around the United States, Republicans are seeing powerful upsets in previously safe districts. It may appear that the post-pandemic political shift to the right in many countries may be shifting back due to Trump’s influence.
If Hungary wants to move back to being a full democracy, Magyar’s supporters say that much work will need to be done. Under the Orban government, the country’s courts were filled with loyalist supporters, and their judicial powers were weakened. At his victory speech, Magyar called on Orban appointees to resign. He has also pledged to rebuild ties with the European Union, something that European leaders have rejoiced at.
“Hungary has chosen Europe,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced shortly after Magyar’s victory.
To many, Magyar’s victory represents a strong pushback against authoritarianism, and the power that voting can have.
Article by Oscar Guillemin