Viktor Orbán is back in the news again! As Europe’s longest-serving prime minister, Orban is fighting furiously to win a fifth-consecutive term in Hungary’s April elections. Viktor Orbán has ruled Hungary for more than 16 years. More recently, he’s come under increasing fire from all sides for his destructive approach to democracy, a growing ailing economy, and increasing press repression. Looking ahead to next year’s election, he has a tough political reality to grapple with. It comes despite huge domestic backlash. He continues to receive more and more right-wing world leader endorsements.
Orbán’s Fidesz party, in consecutive terms since 2010, has faced widespread criticism for overseeing what several observers have called Hungary’s democratic collapse. Critics say that the government has passed one law after another to restrict liberties and erode democratic institutions. Hungary’s economic performance has started to slow in recent months, fuelling voter anger. Indeed, according to recent polling, Fidesz is trailing Péter Magyar’s Tisza party. This represents more than a year of weakening backing for Orbán’s government.
In recent months, Orbán has garnered international attention for his growing closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He personally visited with Putin in Moscow last November, an unprecedented step that has sent shockwaves throughout the European Union. Yet, Orbán’s government has doubled down on its reliance on Russian fossil fuels. Today, well over 90% of Hungary’s crude oil requirements are met through imports. This reliance continues even after the EU has taken courageous steps to push back against Russian influence since Russia invaded Ukraine.
For months, Orbán sabotaged EU initiatives to provide financial support for Ukraine’s defense. At the same time, he miraculously negotiated a one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil. He had infamously threatened that if Hungary did not receive such an exemption, he would bring her economy “to its knees.” His administration recently launched a “national petition” to defeat the EU’s newest financial support package for Ukraine. This action further underscores his belief in national sovereignty and self-determination.
Orbán has long painted himself as a warrior of conservative values and hard borders. At first glance, nothing seems amiss with Catania’s criticisms of the EU’s approach to governance. He’s come to amass undeniable muscle from a few of his fellow hard-right and anti-establishment populist leaders. Prominent examples are Marine Le Pen in France, Giorgia Meloni in Italy, and Javier Milei in Argentina.
“Together, we stand for a Europe that respects national sovereignty, (and) is proud of its cultural and religious roots,” – Giorgia Meloni
These endorsements mark a deepening of a strange coalition of right-wing cranks who find in Orbán’s story of nationalism and opposition to liberalism their own dreams. Le Pen characterized this alliance as “the camp of patriots, and defenders of nations and sovereign peoples.” That support could strengthen Orbán’s pressuring, especially as he is under increasing challenge from oppositional, coordinated party campaigns.
To do this, he attempted to paint Magyar as political newcomer entirely inexperienced and inexperienced. Yet, the Tisza party has found significant support from voters who’ve become disenchanted with Fidesz’s authoritarian rule. Popular support for the opposition is increasing in Hungary. Citizens are sending an unmistakable signal that they want serious political reform.
Actually, Orbán does everything he can to stay in power. Along the way, he walks the fine line between the demands of domestic politics and those of international relations. His administration’s and especially the President’s handling of Russia and Ukraine have been roundly criticized from many angles across Europe. On the whole, he has continued to be pretty stubborn about his pro-governance agenda.
“He is fighting for peace in Ukraine, and for peace in Europe,” – Alice Weidel
In light of these developments, it remains to be seen how Orbán’s campaign will unfold leading up to the elections. His ability to keep public support on his side will be pitted against the backdrop of a fiery and increasingly polarized political environment. Every time international right-wing leaders endorse him, it strengthens his image on the global stage. Will this support really lead to votes?
