Viktor Orban Loses Power in Hungary After Pope Francis Visit Backfires
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban lost his election and was voted out of power after 14 years. A visit by Pope Francis that was meant to help Orban's image ended up hurting his campaign instead.
Viktor Orban, Hungary's Prime Minister for 14 years, has been voted out of office in a stunning election defeat. The loss marks the end of one of Europe's longest-serving authoritarian leaders.
The defeat came after a papal visit that was supposed to boost Orban's standing with voters. Pope Francis had worked with Orban on finding peaceful solutions to end the war in Ukraine, rather than supporting military action. But the visit backfired and "blew open" Orban's government, according to reports.
Orban was a key ally of Donald Trump and a favorite speaker at conservative conferences in America. He built his power by restricting media freedom, targeting immigrants, and attacking democratic institutions. Many American right-wing politicians visited Hungary to learn from his tactics.
The loss leaves American conservatives scrambling, as they had held up Orban as proof that their political style could win elections. The defeat also comes during a week of setbacks for authoritarian leaders worldwide.
Orban's party had controlled Hungary's parliament since 2010. He used that power to change election laws, control courts, and silence opposition voices.
Orban was a hero to many American conservatives and worked closely with Trump. His defeat shows that even popular strongman leaders can lose power when voters get tired of authoritarian rule.
Hungary's new government will likely reverse many of Orban's authoritarian policies and improve relations with the European Union.
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