Viktor Orban Image by Getty

By Ari Feldman April 9, 2018

Viktor Orban, leader of Hungary’s far-right Fidesz party was reelected prime minster after his party won a supermajority in Hungary’s parliament, the Washington Post reported.

The vote was widely seen as a referendum on the status of democracy in Europe, especially with Orban already having been in power for two terms. Now, with two-thirds of the sits in Hungary’s parliament held by his party, he can effectively rewrite the country’s constitution how he likes.

“There is a big battle behind us,” he said, speaking at the Fidesz campaign headquarters. “We have won. Today Hungary had a decisive victory. We have the chance to defend Hungary.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Orban is vehemently opposed to immigrants and frequently made George Soros, the Hungarian Jewish billionaire and philanthropist, a bogeyman for foreign influence in Hungary. Soros’ face has appeared in campaign ads and the organizations he funds have been targeted with a so-called “Stop Soros” bill.

Orban has also frequently invoked classic anti-Semitic stereotypes when decrying Soros’ influence.

“We are fighting an enemy that is different from us,” he said in March in Budapest. “Not open but hiding; not straightforward but crafty; not honest but base; does not believe in working but speculates with money; does not have its own homeland but feels it owns the whole world.”

Contact Ari Feldman at [email protected] or on Twitter @aefeldman

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount