100 days without Orbán: How Hungary has changed under Magyars

After 100 days since the fall of Viktor Orbán, Hungary has begun to show signs of transformation. The absence of the former prime minister, once a dominant figure in Hungarian politics, has left a noticeable void in both public discourse and political strategy. In Budapest, the cityscape appears subtly different, once omnipresent propaganda against Orbán’s opponents, including figures such as Manfred Weber, Ursula von der Leyen, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ferenc Gyurcsány, and George Soros, has largely disappeared. This shift marks a tangible change in the nation's political landscape following the historic landslide victory of Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party in April this year. Magyar’s rise came after 16 years of rule under Orbán, during which the latter reshaped justice and the rule of law in favor of his ruling Fidesz party, misused EU funds, and enriched a close circle of allies. His downfall began with a pardon scandal that undermined his credibility and brought forward Magyar, a former Fidesz insider who led a grassroots movement to oust Orbán. Political observers likened the election to the fall of the Iron Curtain, and images of a jubilant capital celebrating the outcome spread globally. Three months have passed since that momentous day. According to recent polls, the initial euphoria has not faded, it has, in some cases, grown stronger. As of early July, 67 percent of respondents surveyed by the Medián research institute expressed belief that Hungary is moving in the right direction. However, expectations remain high, and the challenge lies in whether Magyar can meet them. The Hungarian parliament recently selected András Baka, a former constitutional court judge and Orbán critic, as the new president. While he is not a loyalist to Magyar, his appointment signals a departure from the previous administration’s alignment with Orbán’s inner circle. Political analyst Péter Krekó outlines three key hopes of the population: an end to corruption, prosecution of elites who misused public funds, improvements in healthcare, and economic progress visible in everyday life. These demands require time and resources, yet Magyar has already taken steps toward addressing them. With a two-thirds majority in Parliament, he initiated reforms, including removing Orbán-aligned President Tamás Sulyok through a constitutional amendment and implementing term limits for constitutional judges. He also halted state funding for pro-Orbán foundations like the MCC and reversed a government purchase of office buildings from companies linked to Orbán’s regime. Over 620 billion forints (approximately 1.7 billion euros) flowed from this transaction since 2023, while economists estimate several billion euros in EU funds were misappropriated during Orbán’s tenure. Magyar’s newly established Office of Misappropriation estimates losses could reach up to 160 billion euros. Whether Magyar’s government represents a genuine turning point in Hungarian history or merely a significant shift with limited institutional changes remains to be seen. The coming months will determine how effectively the new administration addresses the deep-seated challenges facing the country.