Hungary, a small Central European country with a population of just over 9 million, delivered one of the most consequential verdicts on 12 April. Its Prime Minister of 16 years, Viktor Orbán, lost to one of his former acolytes, Peter Magyar. Magyar’s Tisza Party won 138 of the 199 seats, while Orbán secured just 55. With a record turnout of about 80%, this election was said to be one of the most important since the end of Communist rule in 1990.
The election was ironic in many ways, notably in bringing the USA and Russia together in their endorsement of Orbán, though he ultimately lost. This may bring some relief to the EU, with which India has recently signed a Free Trade Agreement and a Security and Defence Partnership Agreement; this will be discussed later in the context of the election’s impact on India.