Withdraws from Hungarian politics: Viktor Orbán.Image: keystone
analysis
Long-term ruler Viktor Orbán is giving up his seat in the new parliament to concentrate on reorganizing his party. But can this still succeed?
April 26, 2026, 8:10 p.mApril 26, 2026, 8:10 p.m
Florian Bayer, Vienna
Things are now happening in quick succession in Hungary: two weeks after his defeat, Viktor Orbán announced at the weekend that he would also be giving up his seat in parliament. “Now we are needed not in parliament, but in the reorganization of the national camp,” said the outgoing Prime Minister, apparently a friend of the majestic plural, in a video message. This means that Orbán is no longer part of the National Assembly for the first time since 1990.
In almost four decades, the Fidesz party he founded has experienced successes and defeats. However, one thing has not changed, said Orbán: “This camp has always been the most suitable and cohesive political community in Hungary.”
Is this wishful thinking or escapism? The cohesion within the party has long since become fragile. The cracks didn’t just emerge on election night, but over the years. The best example is Péter Magyar, the election winner and future head of government. He was part of the Orbán system until he publicly broke with his party two years ago. It was the beginning of Orbán’s end.
“Mistakes, Sins and Betrayal”
In the weeks before the election, more and more Fidesz insiders came into the public eye. Most consequential: Bence Szabó, senior cybercrime investigator. He described how his unit was under political pressure to steer investigations against Magyar’s Tisza party in a direction consistent with the government. The fact that a high-ranking state official came forward marked a new level of loss of trust.
Even bigger cracks appeared immediately after the election. Two examples: András Cser-Palkovics, mayor of the large city of Székesfehérvár, criticized the party as too aggressive and called for a completely new leadership style. The Telex news portal also reported on a Fidesz mayor who admitted to voting for Magyars Tisza.
The man who dominated the election campaign must now also accept defeat. It fits with leaving parliament for the first time. In any case, after 16 years in power, Orbán can hardly be imagined as an opposition figure in the dull day-to-day business of parliament. The new Fidesz parliamentary group leader will be Gergely Gulyás, who most recently headed the State Chancellery. Kocsis Máté, who last led the faction, vacated his post and spoke of “many mistakes, sins and betrayals” in his own ranks. Combative postscript: “Spartans are needed now, not Athenians.”
Next stop: World Cup
Orbán is likely to seek refuge in the USA soon, at least for a few days. The Hungarian journalist Panyi Szabolcs found out from insiders. A self-confessed football fan, Orbán’s program includes a visit to the World Cup. The fact that daughter Ráhel, son-in-law István Tiborcz and their grandchildren have been living in New York since last year makes it more convenient for Orbán. So he doesn’t travel as a refugee, but as a grandfather.
If the new Tisza-led state apparatus in Budapest begins to ask unpleasant questions, Orbán could present himself as a persecuted patriot in the USA. He would have a lot of ultra-conservative company: The Heritage Foundation, the CPAC and other think tanks that have been maintained for years with Hungarian tax money could be suitable. As a stage and reception center for a political movement that is currently packing its bags back home. (aargauerzeitung.ch)