Viktor Orbán’s Hungarian experiment runs out of steam
After 16 years of governing, Viktor Orbán’s vision for Hungary faced a significant setback. The election results on Sunday marked a turning point, as voters rejected the idea of continued experimentation with their political system. While Orbán had once described his rule as an “experiment,” he never settled on a precise label. “Illiberal democracy” felt too critical, and his American allies preferred “national conservatism,” a term they found more agreeable. Yet, this characterization was never fully accurate, as Orbán’s policies diverged from traditional conservative principles in notable ways.
Orbán was a self-proclaimed rebel, consistently pushing his own agenda against mainstream norms. He targeted “Brussels bureaucrats,” positioning himself as a defender of national autonomy. However, his approach was strategic. When faced with opposition, he reframed the narrative to his advantage. Though he framed himself as an “anti globalist,” he actively attracted foreign investments, welcoming German car manufacturers and Chinese and South Korean EV battery producers. Similarly, he championed national sovereignty, yet hesitated to fully support Ukraine’s independence during its conflict with Russia.
The paradoxes extended to immigration. Orbán criticized mass influxes but quietly encouraged labor migration from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Turkey to bolster his industrial projects. His efforts to boost fertility rates by incentivizing families to have more children also faltered. By 2025, the rate had slipped to 1.31, the same level it held when he first took office in 2010. This stagnation highlighted the growing weariness among Hungarians with the constant ideological battles under his leadership.
A Shift in Public Sentiment
With a two-thirds parliamentary majority, Orbán had reshaped Hungary according to his party’s vision, altering the judiciary, electoral framework, and economic policies. But his dominance began to wane as citizens sought stability over radical change. Péter Magyar’s victory reflected a desire for a more balanced approach. Carrying the Hungarian flag at rallies and promoting an inclusive message, Magyar appealed to a populace tired of persistent conflict and widening economic disparities.
“Tonight we celebrate,” Magyar told the large crowd gathered by the Danube. “But tomorrow, we start work.”
The election signaled a rejection of Orbán’s majoritarian style, which emphasized “the winner takes all” in governance. While he had succeeded in consolidating power, his supporters now sought a return to normalcy, even if it meant compromising on his more controversial reforms. The outcome marked the end of an era defined by bold political transformation and the beginning of a new chapter in Hungary’s democratic journey.
