Bill Kristol: Are the Winds Finally Shifting?

Viktor Orbán’s resounding electoral defeat in Hungary signals a potential global shift against illiberal authoritarianism and provides a strategic blueprint for democratic renewal. By consolidating behind a single opposition leader, Péter Magyar, the Hungarian electorate successfully bypassed state-controlled media through grassroots, face-to-face engagement. This victory serves as a critical counter-narrative to the MAGA movement’s embrace of Orbán’s policies, highlighting the vulnerability of populist incumbents when faced with economic stagnation and corruption. Meanwhile, the Trump administration faces mounting domestic instability and foreign policy failures, exemplified by the ineffective handling of Middle Eastern tensions and the political decline of J.D. Vance. Ultimately, the Hungarian experience demonstrates that political agency and a clear, agenda-driven alternative can effectively challenge entrenched authoritarian regimes, offering a hopeful precedent for those seeking to restore democratic institutions and accountability in the United States.