Hungarian Elections Deliver Rebuke to Orban, Offer Lessons for Serbia

The recent elections in Hungary, which saw Peter Magyar defeat Viktor Orban after sixteen years in power, represent a significant blow not only to Orban but to a broader trend of right-wing populism across Europe. As journalist Branko Čečen observed, the Hungarian people have shown that it is possible to dismantle a corrupt system, even one that controls the media, judiciary, and prosecution.

“

citizens of that country have delivered a slap not only to the now former prime minister, but to all the Melonys, Vučićs, and others, because that country looked like a successful project of right-wing populism, and Orban still lost.

Comparing Hungary to Serbia, Čečen noted that while Hungary has managed to preserve more of its democratic institutions, Serbia's situation is more dire. However, the Hungarian experience offers a crucial lesson: a unified populace can overcome even deeply entrenched authoritarianism. The key, he suggested, was the broad support for a single opposition figure, a feat that may be more challenging in Serbia due to a more fragmented political landscape and a higher degree of vote manipulation.

“

the most important impression from the Hungarian elections is that it has been demonstrated that citizens can break down such a corrupt system in which the media, courts, and prosecutor's offices are occupied.

Čečen's analysis points to a symbolic victory for the region and the world, proving that authoritarian regimes are not invincible. He urged Serbian citizens to learn from this example, stressing the importance of organization and a collective effort to halt the current political trajectory. The upcoming protests, he believes, will continue to grow, fueled by a desire for change and a growing dissatisfaction with the current leadership, which is also losing favor with the European Union.

“

There were no columns, everyone stood behind one man, or rather, it was - either you are for Orban or you are against him. I don't think one column is possible here, because I don't think we have such a big advantage that Peter Magyar had in public opinion, and at the same time the percentage of votes that Vučić steals through blackmail and fear is much larger than what Orban managed to secure for himself.