Why Magyar’s Victory in Hungary Is an Echo of 1989
Just like the fall of the Soviet Union, Orbán’s defeat could resonate far beyond his nation’s borders.
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Hungarians made history on April 12 when they ousted Viktor Orbán following his increasingly authoritarian 16 years in power. A classic David versus Goliath story, it also brought a sense of déjà vu for anyone in Budapest that day, with jubilant young people taking to the streets chanting “Ruszkik haza!” or “Russians, go home!”
The moment felt like 1989 all over again — when Hungary and other Soviet-bloc nations ditched Communism for the hope of a more prosperous Western course. And it was almost equally surprising. It’s hard to overstate how much the odds were stacked against opposition leader Peter Magyar. Orbán’s state media juggernaut deployed what Magyar called a “North Korea-like” level of propaganda against him and his Tisza party.