In the recent elections between current Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Péter Magyar, Orbán lost his seat after holding it for sixteen years. According to NPR’s article written by Esme Nicholson and Nick Spicer titled “Hungary’s Viktor Orbán concedes defeat, ending sixteen years in power”, Orbán was accused of misusing European Union funds and conducting corrupt behaviors, as well as clashing with other EU participants during his sixteen years. There was a record-breaking turnout for this election since the 1990s from Hungarian voters.
Earlier this year in March the Human Rights Research Center published “Hungary Under Viktor Orbán: A Domino in The Global Fall of Democracy”, where Hungarians were described as being subjected to his “authoritarian dictatorship” style and continuous oppression of the Hungarian people.
According to Justin Spike and Sam McNeil at The Associated Press, President Trump and Orbán have repeatedly expressed their support for one another. Orbán was considered to be a close ally to not only Trump, but to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. The United States Vice President, JD Vance, had even traveled to Hungary just a few days ago to show support for Orbán and to try and push for Orbán’s reelection. It is unknown how this blow to one of Trump’s allies will influence US relations in Europe.
