Hungary’s Parliamentary Election: Will Results Lead to Shift in Rise of the Far Right in Europe?

Editorial

14:49 JST, April 16, 2026

A new opposition party won a landslide victory in Hungary’s parliamentary election, ousting Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This will be the first change of government in 16 years.

It marks the departure of an unconventional, authoritarian leader who has been conciliatory toward Russia and China and has shaken the European Union. It is hoped that the election results will be an opportunity for Hungary to improve relations with the EU, and for the EU to restore unity.

Orban maintained his administration for so long through his authoritarian approach to governing, which included interfering in the judiciary and suppressing media critical of his administration.

He has had close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has repeatedly threatened to use his veto on issues requiring unanimous consent among EU member states, such as sanctions against Russia and loans to Ukraine.

It has been noted that Russia, which supports Orban, spread disinformation via social media and other means to manipulate public opinion during this election.

U.S. President Donald Trump also posted a message wishing for Orban’s victory and dispatched U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Hungary during the campaign. These moves inevitably have invited accusations of meddling in the domestic affairs of a foreign country.

These efforts, which could have undermined the fairness of the election, ultimately failed, and Orban suffered a landslide defeat. It is praiseworthy that he conceded defeat early on, demonstrating that the democratic process of elections is still functional.

Peter Magyar, the leader of the center-right Respect and Freedom Party, or Tisza, which secured more than two-thirds of the parliament’s seats, is set to become the next prime minister. It is hoped he will work to rebuild the governing system and mend relations with the EU.

Hungary has sought economic growth by relying on energy imports from Russia and investment from China. However, growth in its gross domestic product has fallen below 1% for three consecutive years since 2023. Its per capita GDP is among the lowest for an EU member state.

Clearly, the approach of strengthening state control by relying on China and Russia has reached its limits. Corruption and nepotism, which ran rampant under the Orban regime, can also be cited as factors that have hindered economic growth.

If Hungary cannot deal with economic stagnation and high inflation, among other issues, it will eventually be unable to contain public discontent, regardless of the administration in place.

Orban has treated immigrants, the EU and Ukraine as “imaginary enemies,” stoking hostility and hatred among the public.

A similar approach has spread beyond Hungary to the rest of Europe, fueling the rise of xenophobic populist forces advocating “our country first” in nations such as Germany and France.

It is necessary to closely monitor whether Orban’s departure will affect the rise of the far right across Europe.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 16, 2026)