Of all the European leaders who, publicly or quietly, relished the political demise of Viktor Orban — the autocratic leader who for over 16 years methodically dismantled the checks and balances of Hungary’s relatively young democracy to consolidate his power — probably none was more hopeful than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
While leading a NATO nation, Orban was more closely aligned with Moscow than Brussels. And he was a constant thorn in the side of Zelensky.
Earlier this month, Hungarian voters — disenchanted with rampant corruption and an underperforming economy — swept Orban from office. They handed a landslide parliamentary election victory to the center-right Tisza party, created by Peter Magyar, who is in line to be the next prime minister.
Zelensky was quick to congratulate Magyar on his party’s “convincing victory.” He said Ukraine was ready for “meeting and joint constructive work” with his government once it’s formed.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor
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