"Achieving a so-called supermajority by winning two-thirds of parliamentary seats allowed Mr Orban to change the constitution, and begin turning Hungary into a soft autocracy."
"Under Mr Orban, a self-serving elite enriched itself at the expense of the wider population, as the economy stagnated and EU funds were misdirected and misspent."
"Mr Magyar, a disillusioned former Fidesz member, is no progressive. But after campaigning on an anti-corruption platform, the early indications are that he will act swiftly to roll back some of the most egregious abuses of the Orban era."
"One of the first tasks for Hungary's new leader will be to deliver in areas such as judicial reform and academic freedom in order to unlock 17bn in suspended EU payments."
Viktor Orban's long tenure in Hungary saw the erosion of democratic institutions and the rise of a soft autocracy. His party, Fidesz, maintained control through media manipulation and gerrymandering. However, Peter Magyar's recent election victory, with a likely supermajority, presents an opportunity for change. Magyar, campaigning on an anti-corruption platform, aims to reverse Orban's policies and restore judicial independence and academic freedom. His success is seen as a hopeful sign for the EU, which seeks to address Hungary's democratic backsliding and unlock suspended funds.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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