He can be characterized as a center-right politician who also uses these ideological frameworks to appeal to a wider spectrum of voters.
What groups of voters supported him?
Support is very diverse. About 40 percent of its voters identify as liberal, about 22 percent as left-leaning, and about 11 percent as conservative.
It can be seen from this composition that he was able to unite former voters of opposition parties and undecideds who no longer had hope or trust in the existing political entities.
What do you think motivated this change?
This is a reaction to the system that was created since 2010 (since Orbán ruled continuously, editor’s note).
It is a system connected between politics, economy, oligarchs and media. A certain pyramid of relationships has emerged, in which it is not easy to navigate. There is no free entry or free exit, one has to adapt.
Society has now mobilized against this system.
What will be his first steps in office? What is his greatest task?
The most important thing will be to dismantle this system, which many refer to as a mafia state.
The second step will be the restoration of the rule of law and the initiation of criminal proceedings against those who have committed corruption. This also means the involvement of anti-corruption organizations and changes in the police and prosecutor’s office.
The third point is the termination of clientelistic relations towards Russia.
Without these steps, it will not be possible to change the system.
Can we expect big trials with politicians of the former government, for example with Viktor Orbán or the serving foreign minister Péter Szijjárt?
It is too early to draw definitive conclusions, but there are a number of cases that will need to be investigated.
We are talking, for example, about the extreme enrichment of some people. There are cases when a person from an ordinary profession, for example, a gas fitter, became practically the richest person in the country.
This shows the extent of the problem.
At the same time, however, these structures are deeply rooted in the state, including the police and the prosecutor’s office, so breaking them will take time.
Viktor Orbán relatively quickly recognized the election result and electoral defeat. Why do you think?
One of the reasons may have been the risk of escalation. If he did not recognize the result, it could lead to mass protests. There were also concerns about the possible intervention of security forces or attempts to destabilize the situation.
Acknowledging the result quickly could have been a way to avoid it.
Is this defeat also a personal humiliation for Viktor Orbán?
For his surroundings, definitely. People connected to this system could not imagine that they could lose power. Therefore, it is a shock, not only political, but also economic.
What is Viktor Orbán’s future? Can you imagine him as the leader of the opposition?
It is a very difficult situation for him. After 16 years in power, it is difficult to transition into an opposition role.
It is not clear whether he will remain active in politics or withdraw. It will also depend on further developments.
There is speculation that some politicians may go abroad. Is it realistic?
Such scenarios exist. If there is pressure from the investigation, some people may consider leaving.
On the other hand, changes in institutions will take some time.
What are the main expectations of Hungarian society today?
People expect the restoration of the rule of law, justice and punishment of corruption. At the same time, it is about everyday life, the economy and the direction of the country.
Can this result also weaken politicians such as Prime Minister Robert Fico in Slovakia or in the case of others in our region?
I think so. These regimes are connected, it is a similar type of political system, based on power, clientelism and connection to economic interests.
If one of them weakens, it can weaken the others. At the same time, however, it is a broader context, where there is also competition between great powers, the influence of Russia and other actors.
It is therefore not only an internal issue of one country, but part of a wider geopolitical development.
