Hungary and Europe

Brilliant geopolitical mind and refugee from Hungarian Communism George Friedman looks at Orbán's loss, Magyar's victory, and what it means for Europe, NATO, and the future.

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NOTE: One of the finest geopolitical minds of our time, George Friedman, has a unique connection to Hungary, having fled Communism with his parents at a young age. Here are his thoughts on the meaning of this week’s elections, Hungary’s past, and Europe’s future. — RDM

by George Friedman
April 17, 2026

Viktor Orban, after 16 years as prime minister of Hungary, has lost an election and will soon be replaced by Peter Magyar. Orban was a man of the right, opposing large-scale immigration into Hungary, holding negative views on homosexuality and, according to many, suppressing democracy with authoritarian tendencies.

In addition, he maintained friendly relations with Russia and President Vladimir Putin. In this sense, he was an outcast in Europe, or least in the places that many in the U.S. think of as Europe: Britain, France and Germany.