Hungary: the tide goes out

The recent election in Hungary, which saw the end of Viktor Orban's long tenure as prime minister, has sent ripples far beyond the country's borders. While the immediate congratulations came from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, his message, laced with the Hungarian phrase "Ruszkik Haza" (Russians Go Home), hinted at the deeper geopolitical currents at play. Orban, who first led Hungary as a conventional conservative, reinvented himself with "illiberalism" upon his return in 2010, forging a close alliance with Moscow that leveraged Hungary's position within the EU and NATO.

For 16 years, Orban's government has been a significant obstacle to EU unity, particularly concerning Russia. His administration provided Moscow with valuable intelligence and consistently vetoed decisions disapproved by the Kremlin, most notably blocking a crucial EU loan to Ukraine. The damage Orban inflicted on Hungary's institutions—packing the judiciary, fostering a kleptocracy, and controlling the media—will take years to repair. However, the international focus is not just on Hungary but on the potential "communicable disease" of populism that Orban seemed to embody.

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Ruszkik Haza

The global populist movement, which includes figures like Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni, Marine Le Pen, and Nigel Farage, had all rallied behind Orban. His defeat has left them conspicuously silent, a stark realization that the tide may be turning against them. The unusual level of international attention lavished on this election, compared to similar events in the region, underscores Orban's symbolic importance. His loss is not merely a national event; it is perceived as a significant setback for the populist wave that has been reshaping global politics.

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I AM WITH HIM ALL THE WAY