Hungary: The Perfect Autocracy?

Since Hungary made an orderly transition to democracy in 1990, free elections were held at regular intervals and political power was dominated by two major political parties, FIDESZ and MSZP through 2010. Since Orban-led FIDESZ came to power in 2010, Hungary’s democracy began backsliding and has gradually been moving toward authoritarian direction. Orban’s massive constitutional changes, strategically designed electoral system, preemptive repressive mechanisms, and populist policies and narratives, have not only kept Orban in power for four consecutive terms, but also put Hungary’s democracy in grave danger. This chapter discusses the political developments in Hungary under Viktor Orban (2010-present) and explains how Hungary’s democracy has backslid during this period.