Hungary Votes Out Orban; Vance Endorsement Fails to Sway

Hungary Elects New Leader After 16 Years of Orban Rule

Hungary has a new prime minister. Peter Majar, a former insider from Victor Orban’s Fides party, has defeated the long-serving nationalist leader. Orban had been in power for 16 years. European leaders quickly sent congratulatory messages to Majar. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, called the result a great moment for Europe. She said Hungary chose Europe.

Orban’s Downfall: Corruption and Economic Woes

Victor Orban conceded the election relatively quickly. Many observers believe he recognized the end of his political road. Polls had consistently shown a strong lead for Majar’s party, Tisza. However, polling in Hungary is often unreliable. Orban’s supporters had hoped for a last-minute victory. But it was not to be.

One key reason for Orban’s defeat was that he wasn’t running against a candidate from the left. Peter Majar presented himself as offering “Orbanism without the corruption.” This message resonated with voters.

Rod Dreer, an American living in Budapest who knows JD Vance, agreed that corruption was a major issue. He explained that while corruption is common in post-communist countries, people tend to overlook it when the economy is good. Unfortunately, Hungary’s economy has been poor throughout Orban’s last term. This economic hardship made voters less tolerant of corruption within his government circles.

JD Vance’s Visit Did Not Help Orban

Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest just a week before the election to endorse Victor Orban. Dreer believes this intervention did not help Orban’s chances. “It certainly didn’t help,” Dreer stated. He questioned why Vance would risk the political fallout of such an endorsement, especially given the MAGA movement’s stated desire to avoid foreign entanglements.

Dreer recounted being present last November when Vance offered to speak for Orban if it would help. Orban seemed pleased and accepted the offer. Vance saw Orban as a figure who represented the “civilizational conservatism” he believes in. Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference earlier had angered many in Europe, but thrilled national conservatives across the continent.

However, Dreer noted that the fact Vance came over and it was widely publicized, yet Orban still lost, “is not going to be a feather in JD Vance’s cap.”

A Significant Win for Hungary and the EU

David Herzenhorn, Europe affairs editor for The Washington Post, called the election result a “big win” for Hungary and Europe. Majar is on track to secure a constitutional majority in parliament. This gives him and his party significant power to enact changes.

Orban had been a constant source of friction for the EU. He often thwarted initiatives from Brussels. Herzenhorn highlighted that Orban, known for his authoritarian tendencies, was sometimes called a “dictator.” His removal is seen as a major shift.

Orban had cultivated relationships with both Russia and the United States, specifically with Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Herzenhorn pointed out the unusual nature of both the Kremlin and the Trump White House supporting the same candidate, and seeing them both “fall short.”

Potential Impact on Ukraine Support

Victor Orban’s stance on the war in Ukraine had been a point of contention within the EU. He had maintained closer ties to Vladimir Putin than other EU leaders. Herzenhorn suggested that a new government in Budapest could make it easier for the EU to provide support to Ukraine.

Specifically, Herzenhorn mentioned a potential 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine that had faced challenges. While Hungary wasn’t the sole obstacle to all EU aid, they had blocked this specific loan. The hope is that Hungary will no longer stand in the way of decisions agreed upon by the other 26 EU member states.

Ukraine would likely hope for increased aid. However, Herzenhorn cautioned that significant increases might not be immediate. Other countries have their own financial concerns regarding aid to Ukraine, and weapon supplies are currently limited. Nevertheless, a change in government in Budapest is expected to make a significant difference in this area.

Looking Ahead

Peter Majar, though a former member of Orban’s Fides party and still part of the right-wing political spectrum, represents a significant change for Hungary and the EU. It remains to be seen how different his policies will be in practice. Observers will watch closely to see the direction Majar takes Hungary and its relationship with the rest of Europe.

Source: JD Vance's Endorsement Didn't Help Viktor Orban's Election Chances, Says VP's Best Friend (YouTube)