Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

13 April 2026

2-minute read

For the first time in 16 years, long-standing European leader Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat to his former acolyte Péter Magyar and his Tisza Party.

Gábor Scheiring, Hungarian economist and politician, said that for those following the polls in Hungary’s elections, the win was “predicted with this kind of qualified constitutional majority.” The end of Orbán’s 16 years of authoritarian regime that allowed limited freedom and minimal room to manoeuvre came as a surprise to most people.

Viktor Orbán was a symbolic figurehead of the global far-right movement, marketing his regime and building a network of support from Israel and the US. Despite this, Scheiring says that it’s about the performance of the regime and “whether the citizens of Hungary feel at home in their country.” Economically, the regime has failed, with Hungary being among the lowest in household incomes and rising inequality.

Changes are expected under the new leadership of Péter Magyar, like better alliance between Hungary and the mainstream European countries, significant changes in terms of foreign policy with a pro-Ukraine stance and possible sanctions on Russia, and a more critical approach to Trump. Domestically, this is the beginning of a new era, signifying hope for the youth especially, but “what that completely new will look like” is yet to be determined, laughed Gábor.

However, Scheiring warned that with the Tisza Party being closely affiliated with Orbán’s party just three years prior, massive changes are not in the works. “There are some possibilities for institutional change,” he mentioned, but there are no major changes expected on the country’s position towards Israel and the Middle East.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Gábor Scheiring here.