Orban Faces Challenge to Retain Power in Hungary Amid EU Interference Claims

The Hungarian prime minister and his conservative Fidesz party are facing the ​biggest challenge to their rule in 16 years.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and U.S. Vice President JD Vance shake hands at the end of a pre-election rally in Budapest, Hungary, on April 7, 2026. AP Photo/Denes Erdos

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces a challenge to retain power in the upcoming election on April 12, as the opposition Tisza party was projected on April 8 by pollsters Median as winning a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Orban and his conservative Fidesz party are facing the ​biggest challenge to their rule in 16 years as Tisza, which is ⁠led by the prime minister’s former ally, Peter Magyar, seeks to improve relations with the European Union, of which Hungary is a member.