The overwhelming opposition victory in this Sunday’s elections in Hungarythat ended autocratic rule by Viktor Orbán, has a multiple transcendence.
It will involve the return to full democracy, unmoored freedom, public transparency and the genuine rule of law in the country. It is the most important thing for his people. It was what gave impetus to the massive electoral participation since the end of communismin 1989, and awarded Peter Magyar and his centre-right Tysza party, a two-thirds majority in parliament.
Once they form a government, for which there is a maximum period of 30 days, they will be able to begin to dismantle the scaffolding of authoritarianism, political manipulation, institutional erosion, corruption and clientelism that Orbán managed to build during four terms and 16 years in power.
It will be a laborious and difficult task. During that time, The damage to democratic institutions, norms and practices has been extensive and very deep. However, the legislative supermajority achieved will allow the new government dismantle the autocratic constitutional and legal racket built by Orbánwhen his Fidesz party also had it.
The geopolitical impact of this change will also be enormous. The most relevant thing, in the short and medium term, is that will open the way for reconciliation Hungary with the European Union (EU). Increasingly, Orbán acted in it as a barrier to greater cooperation with Ukraine and the imposition of renewed sanctions against Russia. There have even been justified complaints that he and his diplomats They leaked confidential information to Russia about their discussions and decisions.
Since this Monday, Magyar announced a policy change. He ruled out the need to renegotiate a $90 billion loan granted by the EU to the Ukrainian State in December, today blocked by Orbán. He opposed the invaded country granting territorial concessions to Russia as payment for peace. In addition, it defined itself as a “constructive” partner of the EU, which keeps $35 billion in transfers to Hungary frozen due to its authoritarian drift and other disputes. The eventual disbursement will give a necessary boost to its stagnant economy.
It can rightly be said that Volodimir Zelensky, Ukrainian president, has been the second great winner in these elections; Putin, the second big loser.
The third great blow has been suffered by the diverse amalgam of parties, rulers, political leaders and organizations that, in Europe, the United States and Latin America, have adopted various populist and authoritarian impetus. They have multiple differences, but a common design is to use electoral advances as a way to dismantle or, at least, weaken the infrastructure essential for the full functioning of democracy.
In 2014, Orbán set as one of his goals “to build an illiberal state in Hungary.” He implemented a method: use to the maximum the power granted by the votes to impose a hegemonic political projectthrough progressive steps.
Reorganize the electoral map to favor your party. Eliminate the independence of the Judiciary. Bend academic institutions. Capture or stifle independent media. Place your allies at the head of institutions. Pursue adversaries. Establish clientelism networks. Promote corruption. All these measures were part of his script, which not even the EU could avoid; barely, temper. But, At least electoral freedom was maintained.
Due to the above, Orbán became the great icon of autocratic and conservative sectors around the world. President Donald Trump gave him almost unconditional support. Even a few days before the elections, sent to Vice President JD Vance to join his campaign, and He declared himself “a big fan of Viktor”. It was of no use. Rather, it may have amplified the magnitude of his defeat, something like-minded European parties are taking note of.
Democratic rebirth in Hungary. Strengthening the EU and its front against Russian aggression against Ukraine. Blow to the ideological and operational heart of autocratic movements in various latitudes. This is the trilogy that makes the result so important and justifies it being celebrated by all democrats around the world.
