Viktor Orbán

Viktor Mihály Orbán, born on 31 May 1963, is a Hungarian lawyer and politician. He served as the prime minister of Hungary from 1998 to 2002 and again from 2010 to 2026. Orbán has been the president of Fidesz, a political party described as Christian nationalist, illiberal, and far-right, since 2003.

He was first elected to the National Assembly in 1990 and led Fidesz's parliamentary group until 1993. During his first term as prime minister from 1998 to 2002, Hungary joined NATO and saw improvements in its economy. After losing re-election in 2002, Orbán led the opposition until he was re-elected as prime minister in 2010, and then again in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Orbán's government made many changes to Hungary's laws and institutions after 2010. Some groups, like the European Commission and Freedom House, said these changes weakened fair courts and free media. His government also faced claims of unfair handling of public money and support projects.

In international matters, Orbán has disagreed with some European Union policies on immigration and supported laws limiting rights for LGBTQ+ people in Hungary. He has also called for closer ties with countries like China, Russia, and Turkey. In the 2026 parliamentary election, Orbán and his party lost to Péter Magyar's Tisza Party by a large margin.

Early life and background (1963–1988)

Viktor Mihály Orbán was born on 31 May 1963 and has two younger brothers, both businessmen. Their family first lived in Alcsútdoboz in Fejér County and later moved to Felcsút, and then to Székesfehérvár. Orbán went to school in these places and later attended the Blanka Teleki school.

After finishing high school in 1981, Orbán completed his military service. He then studied law at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. During his time there, he joined a special college for law students and met new friends. He became the chairman of the college in 1984. Orbán also traveled to Poland with classmates and took part in seminars about political ideas. In 1989, he was offered a research position at Pembroke College, Oxford, but he returned to Hungary in 1990 to run for a seat in the country's first post-communist parliament.

Political ascent (1988–1998)

In 1988, Viktor Orbán and some friends started a group called the Alliance of Young Democrats, known as FIDESZ. This group was formed to challenge another organization that was very strict at the time.

Orbán became well-known in 1989 when he gave a speech in Budapest, asking for free elections and the departure of soldiers from another country. He was elected to the country's parliament in 1990.

In 1993, Orbán became the leader of FIDESZ. Under his leadership, the group changed from a student organization to a larger political party. Some members did not agree with this change and left the group.

First premiership (1998–2002)

Main article: First Orbán Government

In 1998, Orbán joined forces with the Hungarian Democratic Forum and the Independent Smallholders' Party to win the elections with 42% of the vote. At 35, he became one of Hungary’s youngest prime ministers ever.

During his time in office, Orbán’s government made some big changes. They decided to meet in parliament less often, which upset opposition parties. There were also debates about changing voting rules and some issues with officials leaving due to scandals. The government focused on cutting taxes and improving the economy, which helped lower inflation and steady growth. Hungary also joined NATO in 1999, which brought new responsibilities but also challenges, like trade issues with nearby countries.

Economy

Orbán’s economic plans aimed to lower taxes and reduce unemployment. His government stopped charging fees for university and brought back benefits for mothers. The economy showed improvement with lower inflation and steady growth each year.

Foreign policy

In 1999, Hungary became a member of NATO, joining with the Czech Republic and Poland. This meant Hungary had to take part in some international matters and update its military. Orbán also worked on a law to help Hungarian-speaking people living in nearby countries, which caused some disagreements with those nations but was later adjusted to keep peace.

Leader of the opposition (2002–2010)

During this time, support for political parties in Hungary stayed about the same, even though there were elections in 2002. Two big parties, Fidesz and the Hungarian Socialist Party, were very close in popularity, each getting around 26% of voters.

In the 2002 parliamentary elections, Orbán's party lost to the Hungarian Socialist Party, which then formed a government. Fidesz did well in European Parliament elections in 2004 and 2009, winning many votes each time. In 2006, Orbán was still the leader of Fidesz, even after losing another parliamentary election. Fidesz also won many mayoralties and regional elections in 2006, showing strong support across Hungary.

Second premiership (2010–2026)

Main article: Hungary under Viktor Orbán

Second government (2010–2014)

Main article: Second Orbán Government

In the 2010 parliamentary elections, Orbán's party won a large share of votes but received even more seats in parliament due to how the voting system worked. This gave them enough seats to change the country's rules. In 2011, Orbán's team created a new constitution without much public discussion and passed it quickly. The new constitution focused on traditional values and included changes to how elections worked. It became official on January 1, 2012, replacing the older Hungarian Constitution of 1949.

In 2012, Orbán's government set a single tax rate of 16% on personal income. Orbán described his government as practical, pointing to changes in retirement rules and making benefits clearer.

On January 14, 2014, Orbán traveled to Moscow to sign an agreement with Vladimir Putin about building a new nuclear power plant called Paks II. Russia’s state company Rosatom would build it, and Hungary would borrow money from Russia to pay for it. Later, it was revealed that Hungary borrowed €8 billion over 30 years to finance this project. Hungary’s foreign minister called the deal a major business success. However, two big Western companies, Westinghouse and Areva, were not chosen for this project after being considered since 2012.

Third government (2014–2018)

Main article: Third Orbán government

After the April 2014 parliamentary election, Orbán’s party, Fidesz, won again but with fewer votes than in 2010.

In July 2014, Orbán spoke in a village in Romania and talked about wanting Hungary to find its own way, different from Western countries. He mentioned the 2008 financial crisis as a big change in the world.

In November 2014, Orbán suggested a new tax on internet use, which led to protests, including one in Budapest.

During the 2015 European migrant crisis, Orbán built a barrier on the border with Serbia to control the number of people entering Hungary. Hungary took steps to manage the situation and reduce the number of migrants coming into the country. In May 2020, a European court decided against Hungary’s method of handling migrants, and Orbán changed the rules again.

Orbán did not support any plan that would require European countries to take in a certain number of migrants. He believed Turkey should be seen as a safe place for people seeking safety.

In 2015, Orbán wrote that Europe’s reaction to the migrant situation was not working and called for a list of safe countries where migrants could be sent back to.

He suggested several ideas to help manage the migrant crisis, including working together to watch Greece’s borders, separating people seeking safety from those looking for work, and asking developed countries to accept more people.

Fourth government (2018–2022)

Main article: Fourth Orbán Government

In the April 2018 Hungarian parliamentary election, Orbán’s party won again and kept its strong position in parliament. Orbán focused on issues like immigration and outside influence during the election.

In a 2018 speech, Orbán talked about not wanting Hungary to change its traditions or culture to include others.

On March 30, 2020, Hungary’s parliament approved special rules that allowed the prime minister to make decisions without regular approval for a while. This was meant to help deal with emergencies. In June 2020, the parliament ended this special rule but also allowed the government to declare emergencies without needing approval in the future.

In 2021, control of some universities shifted to groups supporting Orbán. A college received a large amount of money to help train future leaders.

In 2021, Europe faced higher energy prices due to many reasons, including less natural gas from Russia and Norway and not enough renewable energy. In October 2021, Orbán blamed European plans for these price increases.

Despite talking against immigration, Hungary allowed more foreign workers into the country starting in 2019 to fill job shortages.

In February 2020, Orbán spoke at a conference in Rome.

In July 2020, Orbán talked about needing European countries to work together to keep their Christian traditions.

In a 2021 speech, Orbán mentioned challenges related to a neighboring country with a large Muslim population.

Fifth government (2022–2026)

Main article: Fifth Orbán Government

In the April 2022 parliamentary election, Orbán’s party won again. After the election, Orbán said the victory was very clear.

In May 2022, Orbán talked about a theory that Europe’s populations were changing in ways he did not support.

In July 2022, Orbán spoke in Romania against what he saw as mixing different cultures, saying Hungary did not want to change its own culture.

In 2023, Orbán criticized European plans to manage migration and called it a big problem for Europe. In 2024, he said immigration could break up the European Union and called it very serious. He also talked about wanting better rules for sending migrants back to their home countries.

In July 2024, a pipeline bringing oil from Russia to Hungary stopped working. Orbán and his government strongly protested this. When another country suggested Hungary use a different pipeline, Orbán refused.

In October 2024, Orbán was invited to speak to European leaders. Some leaders criticized him for not supporting another country and for managing Hungary’s economy poorly. One leader praised Hungary’s bravery in the past but questioned why Orbán was blaming others for current problems. Another leader criticized Orbán’s government for unfair practices and lower living standards.

In April 2026, Orbán faced accusations of being involved in a misleading event after a bomb was found near a pipeline bringing gas from Russia to Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria. Orbán called it an act of sabotage by another country, but others thought it might have been created to influence an upcoming election.

2026 parliamentary election

Main article: 2026 Hungarian parliamentary election

Orbán ran for prime minister again in 2026, this time against another leader. Voting closed, and Orbán later accepted that he had lost the election after 16 years in office. He said his team would not give up and hoped to stay leading his party. His chief of staff would become the leader of the opposition in parliament.

Foreign policy

Orbán attended events for leaders of other countries, including a re-elected leader in Turkey in 2018. In October 2018, after meeting with Turkey’s leader, Orbán said a stable Turkey was important for Hungary’s safety.

In June 2019, Orbán met with a leader from Myanmar and discussed working together and managing migration.

China

Main article: China–Hungary relations

Orbán kept strong ties with China. Hungary joined China’s big project in 2015, and in 2019, Orbán attended a meeting in China. He planned to open a university campus in Budapest but faced some resistance in Hungary. In February 2023, he met with a top Chinese diplomat and supported China’s plan for peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine

Main articles: Hungary–Russia relations and Hungary–Ukraine relations

Orbán had questions about a new pipeline between Russia and Germany. He wanted to know why one pipeline was seen as bad and another as good.

Since 2017, Hungary’s relationship with Ukraine got worse because of a law in Ukraine about language. Orbán and his team often criticized this law and threatened to stop Ukraine from joining the European Union until it was changed. The law was updated in December 2023 to support European Union languages, including Hungarian.

Orbán has often supported Russia and praised its leader, even after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. He called the invasion a clear act of aggression but also said Hungary would not stop Russia from getting resources or support actions against Russia. He was criticized for not supporting Ukraine enough. During the crisis between 2021 and 2022, Orbán was the first European Union leader to meet with Russia’s leader in Moscow. He said it was a peace mission. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Orbán allowed Ukrainian people to come to Hungary and supported Ukraine joining the European Union. At first, he said Hungary would not block punishments against Russia, but he did not support punishments on Russian energy because Hungary depends heavily on Russia for energy. In March 2022, Ukraine’s leader thanked Orbán for supporting Ukraine’s safety and giving people a place to stay.

In February 2023, Orbán said Hungary supported China’s plan for peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

In October 2025, Orbán said Hungary would prepare to host a big meeting between Russia and the United States, but the meeting was later cancelled.

Accession to the Organization of Turkic States

See also: Hungarian Turanism

Since 2014, Hungary has had a special status with a group of Turkic-speaking countries. In 2017, Hungary applied to join a school for scientists. In 2018, Hungary got a special status in the group. In 2021, Orbán talked about Hungary’s pride in sharing history and culture with Turkic peoples, even when others made fun of them. In 2023, during a visit to Kazakhstan, Orbán said Hungary and Kazakhstan have deep connections going back many years.

Israel and Hamas

The Hungarian government said it supported Israel during a conflict. On October 13, Orbán said Israel had the right to protect itself and that Hungary would not allow rallies supporting certain groups. In October 22, a leader in Hungary said the party would make a statement against certain actions before parliament.

In April 2025, Israel’s leader visited Budapest. During the visit, Hungary said it would leave a court because it thought the court was unfair.

Views

Orbán's mix of soft Euroscepticism, populism, and national conservatism has led to comparisons with various politicians and parties. He aims to make Hungary a center for an international conservative movement.

According to Politico, Orbán's political philosophy reflects the concerns of past peasant and working classes by strongly defending national sovereignty and distrusting Europe’s ruling establishments. He often highlights the importance of Christianity, though church attendance is low in Hungary. His appeal to global conservatives was summarized by Lauren Stokes, who said he claims to be the only one who can protect people from certain threats, making rules and balances seem unnecessary. Orbán has criticized the EU, comparing it to historical forces that occupied Hungary.

Orbán and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have had a close relationship for decades. Orbán advised Netanyahu on economic reforms when Netanyahu was Finance Minister of Israel from 2003 to 2005. In February 2019, Netanyahu thanked Orbán for extending Hungary’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Orbán clearly outlined his political views in a 2014 speech in Băile Tușnad, rejecting the idea of the state as just a free association of individuals. Instead, he argued the state should organize and strengthen the national community, respecting civic rights but focusing on the community rather than the individual. He believes such a state should promote national self-sufficiency, sovereignty, family values, full employment, and cultural heritage.

Orbán’s second and third terms as prime minister have been controversial internationally. Critics accuse him of centralizing power, limiting civil liberties, restricting free speech, and weakening the Constitutional Court and judiciary. These actions have led some to describe him as an authoritarian or autocratic leader.

The European migrant crisis and concerns about terrorism in the EU have made Orbán’s nationalist and protective policies more popular among European conservative leaders. Once criticized by Europe’s political elite, Orbán is now seen as a key figure for the mainstream right in Europe.

Orbán has supported conspiracy theories about changes in Europe’s cultural makeup. In a 2018 speech, he expressed concerns about efforts to change Europe’s cultural identity by bringing in people from different ethnic groups not rooted in Christian culture.

During a press conference in January 2019, Orbán praised Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro, saying Brazil best represented modern Christian democracy at the time.

A think tank called the Danube Institute, funded by the Hungarian government, supports Orbán’s ideas. It sponsors conferences and publishes three English-language periodicals: European Conservative, Hungarian Review, and Hungarian Conservative. The institute began hosting fellows in 2020.

United States

Orbán often criticized the administrations of presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, especially regarding immigration policies. Some analysts believe these criticisms are mainly for domestic political appeal.

Orbán endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections. He is recognized as the only European leader to publicly support Trump in every election. In January 2022, Trump endorsed Orbán for the 2022 Hungarian parliamentary election, praising his love for his country and his strict immigration policies. Trump’s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, once described Orbán as “Trump before Trump.”

In August 2021, Tucker Carlson broadcast parts of his show from Budapest, praising Orbán as a leader who identifies as a Western-style conservative. Carlson also interviewed Orbán, which many criticized for lacking challenging questions.

In May 2022, the Conservative Political Action Conference held a satellite event in Budapest. Later, in August 2022, Orbán spoke at the main CPAC event in Dallas, Texas.

Domestic policy

Orbán’s domestic policies focus on cultural conservatism, particularly through measures to support families and reduce immigration. For example, female university graduates who have children soon after graduation can have their student loans forgiven, fully if they have three or more children. Women with four or more children can be fully exempt from income tax for life. Married couples can get low-interest mortgages and receive financial help for buying houses, seven-seat cars for families with three or more children, and child care support. Orbán believes Hungary needs Hungarian children rather than immigration to maintain population numbers.

The government has also tightened regulations on abortion, requiring women to hear a fetus’s heartbeat before an abortion can be approved. From 2010 to 2023, the number of abortions in Hungary dropped almost 45%.

According to The Guardian, the Hungarian government doubled family spending between 2010 and 2019, aiming for significant changes in population trends by 2030. Orbán promotes an anti-immigration stance and invests in policies he calls “Family First.” He disagrees with the EU’s approach to population issues and supports efforts to address Hungary’s low birth rates. Orbán has mentioned concerns about Europe being “replaced” by immigrants, echoing certain conspiracy theories. The government offered a large, interest-free loan to families with three children that does not need to be repaid.

Orbán’s economic policies, known as “Orbánomics,” have faced early concerns about undermining investor confidence. However, the economy has grown strongly, with unemployment falling and GDP growth reaching 4 percent in 2021. Hungary replaced progressive income taxes with a flat rate of 16% in 2015 and eliminated income taxes for those under 25 in 2021. Hungary paid off its IMF loan early in 2013. In late 2018, Orbán changed labor laws to increase the annual overtime limit and allowed employers up to three years to pay for extra hours worked. Due to impacts from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and lockdowns, Orbán’s government imposed special taxes on banks, pharmaceutical companies, and energy firms to keep utility prices subsidized through 2023.

Orbán’s government has supported conservative think-tanks and cultural institutions. The Mathias Corvinus Collegium has invested in European universities and owns Modul University in Vienna. In 2021, the government privatized 11 Hungarian universities, providing them with state funds, real estate, and shares in large companies. The government appointed conservatives to oversee these universities.

To promote Christian values, Orbán’s government has privatized many state-run schools, introduced religion classes, and supported Christian schools. Kindergarten curriculum now emphasizes national identity, Christian values, patriotism, and family ties. The number of Catholic schools increased from 9.4 percent to 18 percent between 2010 and 2018. The government also created the Center for Fundamental Rights in 2013 to preserve national identity and Christian traditions. In 2019, the government took control of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Personal life

Viktor Orbán married a lawyer named Anikó Lévai in 1986, and they have five children. Their oldest daughter, Ráhel, is married to a business owner named István Tiborcz. Orbán's son, Gáspár, used to play football for a special training school and helped start a religious community.

Orbán follows the Calvinist faith, part of the Hungarian Reformed Church, while his wife and children grew up with Catholic beliefs. His son Gáspár later joined a different church and now serves as a minister.

Orbán has always loved football. He played professionally and later helped support his old club and football in Hungary overall. He helped create a special youth football tournament and even helped build a stadium for it in his hometown. He enjoys watching many football matches and has attended many big international games. He even acted as a football player in a Hungarian movie when he was younger.

Awards and honors

Viktor Orbán has received many awards and honors from different countries and organizations. Some of these include:

• From Bosnia and Herzegovina: Order of the Republika Srpska in 2024.
• From France: Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit in 2001.
• From Kazakhstan: First Class of the Order of Friendship in 2023.
• From Lithuania: Commander's Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas in 2009.
• From North Macedonia: Order 8-September in 2013.
• From Serbia: First Class of the Order of the Republic of Serbia in 2022.
• From the Vatican: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in 2004.

He has also been honored by religious groups, received special awards from groups like the American Enterprise Institute, and been given honorary doctorates from universities such as Tufts University in the United States and Josai University in Japan.