Hungary's Orbán has long annoyed the European Union. Now some hope he faces defeat

Key Points:

• Hungary’s April 12 elections could significantly impact the European Union, with many hoping for the defeat of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is seen as threatening the bloc’s future due to his veto power and authoritarian tendencies.
• Orbán, the EU’s longest-serving leader, has used his veto rights to block EU decisions, particularly regarding support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, frustrating other member states and exposing flaws in the EU’s requirement for unanimous decisions.
• Orbán’s rival, Péter Magyar, promises to repair Hungary’s relationship with the EU and pursue a more constructive partnership, positioning the election as a referendum on Hungary’s place in the world.
• The EU is considering reforms to reduce the need for unanimity on key issues and increase sanctions against rule-of-law breaches, but internal divisions and veto threats complicate efforts to curb Orbán’s influence.
• Orbán’s governance has led to calls for stricter safeguards in EU enlargement policies to ensure new members uphold democratic standards, reflecting lessons learned from Hungary’s membership since 2004.