How a former Orbán ally toppled the populist right-wing leader

April 13, 2026 — 12:20pm

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Budapest: A young woman summed up the key issue for her in the Hungarian election, a few hours before the polling stations closed.

“Corruption,” she said, speaking to this masthead in a park in Budapest.

She did not want her name revealed because she works in the public service and feared she could lose her job if she criticised the prime minister, Viktor Orbán.

But she said corruption was the key issue because it was linked to the economy and, therefore, the frustration with Orbán over his 16 years as prime minister.

“The economy is not free,” she said. “Money from the public, from the budget, flows into private foundations. The tenders for public services are written for the companies that are friends of the government.”

Other voters also nominated corruption as their concern. One, Orsolya, would not give her family name. She said Orbán and his friends had done well while the economy struggled.

“After 16 years, your campaign is........

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