Middle Israel: Orbán’s defeat, Hungary's political shift, and lessons for Israel - opinion

The recent electoral landslide in Hungary, which saw Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party decimated, marks a pivotal moment not just for the nation but for the broader discourse on democracy in Eastern Europe and beyond. For years, Orbán's government has been a prominent example of what he termed 'illiberal democracy,' a system that, while maintaining the facade of elections, systematically dismantled checks and balances, silenced critical media, and gerrymandered districts to ensure perpetual power.

This publication, The Jerusalem Post, has often analyzed the erosion of democratic norms globally, and Hungary under Orbán has been a key case study. The narrative of Orbán as a strongman, a bulwark against liberal internationalism, and a champion of national sovereignty, has been challenged by the very electorate he claimed to represent. The defeat serves as a stark reminder that even the most entrenched authoritarian-leaning regimes are not immune to the will of the people when that will coalesces into a powerful demand for change.

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Conquered and in chains, Hungary “has done more for freedom and justice than any people in the last 20 years.”

The parallels drawn to historical revolts and electoral trouncings, such as Ariel Sharon's victory in Israel, underscore the dramatic nature of this shift. It suggests that the democratic groundswell that followed the fall of communism, though seemingly replaced by a counterrevolution in many parts of the world, can re-emerge. The questions now turn to the future: What will the new leadership prioritize, and can Hungary truly pivot back towards democratic principles after years of systemic weakening? The lessons for other nations, including Israel, grappling with similar political trends, are profound.

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Democracy can be manipulated only for so long.