Hungary

List of Hungary articles

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stands behind a podium in front of a sign that says "CPAC Hungary" during a conference session in Budapest.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stands behind a podium in front of a sign that says "CPAC Hungary" during a conference session in Budapest.

Hungary’s Plan to Build an Army of U.S. Intellectuals

Viktor Orban has put billions of dollars behind a soft-power strategy focused on attracting conservative American thinkers.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as then-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (L), French President Emmanuel Macron (C), and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) look on during the second day of an EU leaders summit at the European Council building in Brussels.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as then-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (L), French President Emmanuel Macron (C), and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) look on during the second day of an EU leaders summit at the European Council building in Brussels.

Brussels Brings Orban to Heel—for Now

A little more carrot and a little less stick got Budapest on board with the EU over a big Ukraine aid package.

The Polish and Hungarian prime ministers give a joint press conference.
The Polish and Hungarian prime ministers give a joint press conference.

The End of the Affair

Europe’s illiberal alliance is disintegrating. Don’t get your hopes up though.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for a European Council meeting.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for a European Council meeting.

Putin’s Trojan Horse Inside the European Union

No matter what Moscow does, Hungary’s prime minister consistently carries water for the Kremlin.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Hungary’s Orban Dials Dictatorship Up a Notch

Budapest’s faux state of emergency is meant to appease Putin and cement Orban’s hold on power.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives an international press conference.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives an international press conference.

The War in Ukraine Undermines Orban’s Illiberal Project

By dividing the Visegrad Group, Russia’s invasion gives Europe’s mainstream an opportunity to fight back.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives a speech marking Hungary's Revolution and Independence Day on March 15, 2022 in front of the parliament building of Budapest.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives a speech marking Hungary's Revolution and Independence Day on March 15, 2022 in front of the parliament building of Budapest.

The Secrets to Viktor Orban’s Success

Hungary’s prime minister will likely win a fourth consecutive election with an original political formula.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban takes part in a press conference during the Visegrad summit at the Centre for the Meetings of Cultures in Lublin, Poland, on Sept. 11, 2020.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban takes part in a press conference during the Visegrad summit at the Centre for the Meetings of Cultures in Lublin, Poland, on Sept. 11, 2020.

Hungary’s Orban Stronger at Home, Weaker Abroad Ahead of Elections

Hopes have faded for Hungary’s united opposition, but Budapest’s neutrality on Russia’s war in Ukraine has cost Orban in Europe.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, on September 18, 2018.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, on September 18, 2018.

Viktor Orban Is the West’s Pro-Putin Outlier

Hungary’s prime minister is committed to splitting the difference between Brussels and Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Hungary’s Orban Pivots Away From Putin as Elections Loom

For 12 years, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has carried water for Putin. Now, he’s wavering.

Peter Marki-Zay speaks at a campaign rally.
Peter Marki-Zay speaks at a campaign rally.

Hungary’s Opposition Struggles to Take the Fight to Fidesz

What looked like the first and best chance to unseat Orban is bogged down by infighting and inertia.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban steps on the podium to give a speech during an economic forum attended by 15 central and eastern European leaders as well as the Chinese Premier as a guest on November 27, 2017 in Budapest.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban steps on the podium to give a speech during an economic forum attended by 15 central and eastern European leaders as well as the Chinese Premier as a guest on November 27, 2017 in Budapest.

Hungary’s Strongman Is Running Scared

A unified democratic alliance finally has the chance to beat Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party in elections early next year.

The Hungarian prime minister is at a press conference.
The Hungarian prime minister is at a press conference.

Hungary’s Orban Tries to Snatch Mantle of Christian Democracy

Europe’s “illiberal democrat” is on a quest to remake the continent’s politics.

Viktor Orban delivers a campaign speech.
Viktor Orban delivers a campaign speech.

Hungary’s Opposition Smells Blood in the Water

After three straight electoral victories by Viktor Orban, an unlikely coalition senses a chance to halt the country’s slide into authoritarianism.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban takes part in a press conference at the Visegrad Summit in Lublin, Poland, on Sept. 11, 2020.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban takes part in a press conference at the Visegrad Summit in Lublin, Poland, on Sept. 11, 2020.

The Dangerous Farce of Late-Stage Orbanism

Lashing out at vulnerable minorities is the hallmark of a weak bully who fears losing power.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Italian Lega party leader Matteo Salvini
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Italian Lega party leader Matteo Salvini

Europe’s Far-Right Seeks to Unite

Can European far-right parties overcome their differences and boost their clout in Brussels? 

A Slovak Armed Forces aircraft unloads doses of the Sputnik V vaccine at the Kosice International Airport in Slovakia, on March 1.
A Slovak Armed Forces aircraft unloads doses of the Sputnik V vaccine at the Kosice International Airport in Slovakia, on March 1.

Sputnik V’s Biggest Legacy May Be Political Turmoil

In Eastern European countries that have accepted the Russian vaccine, destabilization has followed.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses a press conference at the end of a European People’s Party meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels on March 20, 2019.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses a press conference at the end of a European People’s Party meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels on March 20, 2019.

How the European Parliament Entrenched the Region’s Autocrats

European parties were supposed to create a European democracy. Instead, they’ve given cover to bad actors.

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