麻豆社

In April 2026, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces fresh parliamentary elections. He has been in power since 2010, and his party's grip on the Hungarian media and civil society means many felt his place in office was permanently secure. However, discontent over allegations of corruption and his brand of "illiberal democracy" has been growing, led by a new challenger, Peter Magyar. His growing party, Tisza, has shown signs of being able to unite wide swathes of Hungary's disjointed opposition, and Orban is suddenly well behind in the polls.

Magyar himself is a former member member of Orban's party, Fidesz. He has promised to root out corruption and bring in term limits for future leaders. But questions remain over whether he can stably maintain a wide anti-Orban coalition, and about what a Magyar government would really look like.

Nick Thorpe travels across Hungary meeting activists and voters mobilising for the contest.

Producer: Artemis Irvine
A Whistledown production for the 麻豆社 World Service

(Photo: Peter Magyar, Tisza Party leader. Credit: Noemi Bruzak/EPA/Shutterstock)