Op-ed: From rebel to pragmatist? How Orbán might change after the elections

If Viktor Orbán’s party wins the elections on April 12, he will face not only another four years of balancing national interests with pan-European principles but also the challenging task of dealing with an opposition-minded population. Society has become divided ahead of the vote, and the government now faces a strong rival in Péter Magyar. To unite the country, Orbán will have to compromise and listen carefully to those who did not vote for him.

Before the elections, Orbán attracts people with his traditional anti-immigration policy and a fight for sovereignty in the broadest sense of the word. But today, people are equally concerned about prices and the impact on their wallets. The old methods no longer work. Effective governance requires real steps toward unity.

In 1958, de Gaulle returned to power amid far-right sentiment and the war in Algeria. But he realized that continuing the conflict would tear the country apart. So he took a risk by granting Algeria independence, even though his own supporters opposed it. In doing so, he saved France’s unity. If Orbán, after the elections, also abandons the sharpest confrontations in favor of dialogue, he could follow that same path.

In the European Union, Orbán is widely regarded as, to put it mildly, an “inconvenient” leader. And if he is considering restoring ties with Brussels — which would allow Hungary to regain access to European investment funds — he will have to become an example of a “new rational democracy.” One that is tough, but more flexible and open to negotiation. The Hungarian prime minister has already done this when he blocked €50 billion in aid to Ukraine, then lifted his veto after the European Commission unfroze €10 billion for Hungary.

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Now he could offer Europe not continued confrontation, but a reform of the system — one with less bureaucracy and corruption, but more sovereignty. This would help him return to the negotiating table.

Orbán’s overall political image may also change. He needs to negotiate with domestic opponents while simultaneously evolving at the European level — shifting from the image of a rebel to that of a pragmatist with whom deals can be made.

written by N.O.

This opinion was submitted by one of our readers and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team; however, as an independent news outlet, Daily News Hungary is committed to presenting diverse perspectives.

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