by Lil T.
On Sunday April 12, 2026, many of us in the pro-democracy movement held our collective breath waiting to hear the outcome of the elections in Hungary. Would Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s authoritarian Prime Minister, be re-elected again or would liberal democracy re-assert itself after sixteen years of illiberal rule? To our great relief, nearly 80% of eligible voters in Hungary turned out and in overwhelming numbers elected Péter Magyar’s party, Tisza, by winning 138 out of 199 seats.
Not only has Orbán been ousted, but Magyar has achieved a supermajority!
Orbán came to power in 2010 and during his time in office nearly decimated Hungarian democracy. He did so in ways that will sound familiar to all of us here in the U.S. because, among other things, he implemented policies that undermined individual rights and the rights of minorities, as well as the independence of the courts. In other words, Orbán crushed anything that placed restraints on the majority — thereby granting himself unchecked power.
Orbán’s Hungary has served as a model for MAGA and the Project 2025 playbook that the Trump regime has followed since returning to office in 2025. Trumpism embraced Orbán-style governance — including crony capitalism, control of the media, and corruption of the court system — while implementing racist, anti-immigrant, homophobic, and transphobic policies as well as attempting to crush free speech. Trump’s support for Orbán was so great that he sent Vice President Vance to Hungary last week — to campaign for Orbán! Happily, to no avail!
Orbán has also, like Trump, done everything possible to suppress the vote. And, much like Trump, after sixteen years of failed leadership, Orbán managed to undermine the economy, producing widespread economic discontent and disgust at the staggering level of corruption in Hungary’s politics and economy.
As we move toward our own elections in 2026, what lessons can we take away from our siblings in Hungary?
First, we are not alone. Our struggle against corrupt authoritarianism is a global one and every victory makes us stronger.
The Hungarian experience also demonstrates that although Trump may try his best to interfere with voting, an energized citizenry can overwhelm the obstacles and even win a veto-proof majority. After all, it is not by accident that Orbán did not contest the outcome of the election; turnout of that magnitude stopped him in his tracks! Moreover, it will be interesting and instructive to see how the new government in Hungary goes about unraveling the damage done by sixteen years of authoritarian, illiberal democracy.
Paul Krugman wrote of the Hungarian election: “The Axis of Autocracy loses a wheel.” In November, 2026, it will be our turn. We will get the chance to shape the course of history by showing up at the ballot box and reclaiming our democracy.
TAKE ACTION
Hungary showed us that the we can beat an authoritarian at the ballot box — and that the best way to do this is win big. So our assignment is: Make the 2026 Blue Wave crush MAGA! Here’s how:
- IEB is throwing down with the Movement Voter Project to beat back autocracy in November. Donate to our MVP fund — this is the best investment you can make to win back Congress!
- Sign up to join our House Party Team — fight for democracy and have fun while you do it!
