Opposition To Hungary's Orban Is Growing... 2026 May Be The Tipping Point

                                                           Orban (right) with a friend

When examining Donald Trump’s headstrong march into authoritarianism, many analysts point out similarities to figures like Orban, and the steps they took to consolidate power - replacing a critical media with a compliant media, attacking and/or taking over institutions, exploiting resentments as well as racist and bigoted instincts in the electorate to denigrate immigrants and LGBTQ communities - the dictator’s playbook if you will. Others mentioned authoritarians like Putin, Erdogan, and Modi, but the love affair between the American far-right and Orban is something unique. Trump has declared his admiration for Orban, as have Tucker Carlson, CPAC (which hosted events in Hungary), and numerous others.

It seemed for a while that Orban was untouchable, but opposition leader Peter Magyar has slowly chipped away at his lead, and, in recent months, has overtaken Orban and his Fidesz party in the polls.

Opposition leader Peter Magyar speaking at a rally

A new poll shows Magyar & Tisza with 45% vs. Orban & Fidesz with 37%.

(Nice to see the neo-nazi Jobbik Party score a measly 1% support. They deserve less.)

2026 is looking like it might yield the tipping point where support for Orban plummets and opposition rises and the dictator is removed from office.

Opposition leader Peter Magyar is a charismatic speaker. His name is the same as the Hungarian word for the Hungarian language and Hungary’s main ethnic group. It would be like Trump’s opponent being called “Peter American”.

Interestingly, the first cracks in support for Orban was the result of a sex abuse scandal. Like the American far-right, Orban has viciously attacked members of LGBTQ communities, mainly to score political points. But, as Trump is seeing with the Epstein matter, these accusations can come back to bite you in the ass. Orban and other Fidesz officials were accused of mishandling a sex abuse case involving a supporter and chinks in the armor began to appear.

Orban is one of the few leaders in Europe who has consistently resisted efforts to effectively confront Putin about his invasion of Ukraine. This and his domestic oppression and grifting have made him a good target for the opposition. The world awaits their triumphant dethroning of King Orban. No Kings!