Big Take Podcast

Former US Ambassador on Why Orbán’s Time Was Up, and Who Wins

Viktor Orbán’s defeat on Sunday ushered in a new era in Hungarian politics. On today’s Big Take: what the change means for Hungary’s ‘illiberal’ democracy, the EU and far-right populist movements worldwide.

Peter Magyar during an election night event during parliamentary elections in Budapest, on April 12.Photographer: Akos Stiller/Bloomberg

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By Sarah Holder and Rachael Lewis-Krisky

April 13, 2026 at 9:46 PM UTC

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Hungarians handed Prime Minister Viktor Orbán a resounding defeat in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. Peter Magyar and his upstart Tisza won the election by a landslide on the promise of ending years of corruption and the ‘illiberal democracy’ that became synonymous with Orbán’s tenure.