Hungary’s civic revolution

Read FEPS’ commentary on the outcomes of the Hungarian election (12/04/2026)

Written by FEPS Secretary-General László Andor

🔸Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime was swept aside by the massive turnout on election day (12/04). This is a victory for democracy, and the Hungarian people who eventually understood that crony capitalism was built by Orbán’s Fidesz party not for them but to exploit them. Orbán gambled with Hungary’s position in the EU and now must pay for it.

🔸In two years, Péter Magyar emerged as a charismatic European statesman who is now entrusted to start a new chapter in Hungary’s history. He and his team chose this strategy in 2024, which turned out to be the winning one. This has been a political masterclass. He was the right man in the right moment. He deserves credit for this achievement.

🔸Since 2010, Orbán has built an autocratic political system, and he has also teamed up with fellow autocrats and nationalists. But those who claimed that he cannot be beaten through the electoral process turned out to be wrong. What was needed: a united force to challenge Fidesz, a credible leadership, and a well-articulated agenda.

🔸The Hungarian electoral system has been rather complex since 1990, and Orbán made it even more confusing after 2010. But in the end, Rubik’s nation solved the puzzle. Magyar’s Tisza party has served as a spontaneous “popular front”, which is why several parties (including the Hungarian Socialist Party) stepped back from running separately.

🔸Hungary went from Orbán’s supermajority to Magyar’s supermajority. In this massive landslide, a key role has been played by Gen Z. Young people experienced meagre economic opportunities and an authoritarian state that wanted to discipline rather than support. Investing in the future of Hungary’s children and youth is now paramount.

🔸The European Union has kept Orbán’s autocracy under pressure, and since 2022 also suspended investment funds. This was like “shooting the hostage” – a tool of last resort, which has caused economic damage to Hungary. The resulting pain undermined Orbán’s credentials in the area of economic policy. Now the EU (its institutions and member states) must cooperate in the democratisation process and unlock the funds too.

🔸Magyar is a person who became Paul from Saul. His program is eclectic, and diverse social groups see their respective expectations in it, which is not necessarily consistent. Hungary needs strong democratic and social movements, and especially trade unions, to keep the new leadership to their promises and help Hungary to integrate not only in an economic and political but also a social Europe. 

Photo credits: Shutterstock/Vera Eremova