Elections in Hungary and the End of Orbán’s Regime w/ The University of Otago’s Dr Balazs Kiglics: 14 April, 2026

On Sunday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán suffered an election defeat, heralding the end of his 16-year regime that has seen his government come under fire for a variety of claims regarding the illiberal and anti-democratic nature of his leadership. WIth the Tizsa party, led by Péter Magyar winning 138 seats to Orbán’s Fidesz’s 55, the election signals a rejection of Orbán’s platform, which has seen both an authoritarian domestic approach, and Hungary often working in opposition to the EU, in favour of Russia.

Host Alex spoke with a Teaching Fellow for the International Office at the University of Otago, Dr Balazs Kiglics, about the election, and what Magyar’s victory might mean for Hungary both domestically and internationally.