Last month, Donald Trump offered Viktor Orban his “complete and total endorsement” in a video message ahead of Hungary’s April 12 election. But regardless of the outcome, Orban has already shown that his vision of illiberal nationalism is a dead end that made Hungary poorer and less free. The project began in 2010, when Fidesz won a two-thirds majority, giving it the power to change the constitution. To remove checks and balances on Orban’s power, Fidesz upended the judiciary and government agencies. By their own stated goals — to make Hungary great, Christian and pro-family again — their model of governance has failed.

Source: Washington Post April 06, 2026 21:31 UTC