Orban faces uncertain path after Hungary election rout
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces an uncertain political future after his Fidesz party suffered a major defeat in the April 12, 2026 parliamentary elections, losing its majority to newcomer Peter Magyar's party. Despite offering to resign as party leader, Orban retains strong control over Fidesz, though internal criticism and public scrutiny over corruption have emerged. Orban has stepped down from taking a parliamentary seat, marking his first absence from parliament since 1990, as the country prepares for a new government focused on anti-corruption and political reform.
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Orban faces uncertain path after Hungary election routSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxMr Viktor Orban announced in April he would not take up his parliamentary seat, saying he was needed for the “reorganisation of the national camp”.PHOTO: AFPPublished May 01, 2026, 01:50 PMUpdated May 01, 2026, 01:52 PMListenBUDAPEST – Outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s crushing election defeat has thrown the Hungarian nationalist’s political future into doubt and shattered his reputation as an all-powerful leader.While senior members of Mr Orban’s Fidesz party seem to have closed ranks behind him, rare public dissent from the party has seeped out, and analysts say it will be difficult to recover from the landslide loss that ended his 16-year rule.Last week, Mr Orban – who…
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