The era of Viktor Orbán has come to a sudden and dramatic end. Following a landslide defeat last Sunday, Péter Magyar and his Tisza party have secured 141 seats in the 199-seat National Assembly, effectively dismantling the 16-year grip of the Fidesz party, which saw its parliamentary presence crater from 135 seats to just 52.
Magyar has already secured a commitment from President Tamás Sulyok to accelerate the formation of a new government by early May.
Armed with a super-majority, the incoming leadership is moving quickly to pass legislation that would retroactively limit prime ministers to two terms, a move clearly designed to permanently block any future return for Orbán, who has served five terms.
Orbán, who finally addressed the defeat in a YouTube interview, admitted the loss was the end of an era and took personal responsibility, though he offered little explanation for the collapse beyond citing delays in the Paks 2 nuclear project.
As the Fidesz party faces internal recriminations and fears of impending corruption investigations, Magyar has signaled that those who enriched themselves illegally will be held to account. Reports indicate a frantic atmosphere in government offices, with allegations of documents being shredded and insiders attempting to trade digital evidence for immunity.
The incoming administration is already coordinating with European Commission officials to unlock billions in frozen EU funds, contingent on meeting strict criteria regarding judicial independence and media reform.
While the political landscape shifts, Magyar faces the immediate challenge of navigating a struggling economy and securing energy supplies, all while attempting to reorient Hungary’s foreign policy toward a more pro-European stance.
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