The article examines the shifting political landscape in Europe, focusing on the declining influence of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Once seen as a standard-bearer for illiberal conservatism, Orbán's political standing has weakened amid growing resistance from European Union institutions and changing voter dynamics in Hungary and across the continent.
This shift coincides with a broader resurgence of liberal democratic values within Europe, as centrist and progressive coalitions gain traction in response to challenges posed by far-right movements. The piece suggests that Orbán's diminishing power reflects a larger trend of European unity in defense of democratic norms, rule of law, and institutional integrity.
While populist leaders continue to exert influence in some member states, the article argues that recent political developments indicate a potential turning point in which the European Union reasserts its foundational principles. The waning of Orbán's influence is presented not merely as a national development but as a symbol of Europe's collective pushback against authoritarian tendencies.
Sources: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/hungary/orbans-fall-and-europes-rise