The electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, prompting Hillary Clinton to issue a sharp warning about the ambitions of President Donald Trump. On Monday, during an appearance on MS NOW’s Morning Joe, Clinton characterized the election results as a definitive loss for ‘an unholy alliance of autocrats’ and those she described as ‘wannabe autocrats’.
According to Mediaite, the former secretary of state framed the outcome as a necessary wake-up call for American voters, suggesting that the dynamics seen in Hungary mirror the current political trajectory in the United States. Orbán, who held power for 16 years, saw his party’s long-standing grip on Hungary come to an end on Sunday.
This loss is particularly notable given the significant backing he received from the American administration. Vice President J.D. Vance even traveled to Budapest just last week to campaign on his behalf.
Orbán has been a champion for the right on the international front
This move was a clear signal of the strategic partnership between the two, as Orbán had long served as a reliable voice for the right on the global stage. For Russia, the loss is also substantial, as Orbán was a key ally to Vladimir Putin, often obstructing European Union efforts to provide financial aid and sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.
Clinton highlighted the specific tactics Orbán utilized to maintain his influence, noting how he moved to dominate government institutions and the judiciary, while effectively strangling the free press and asserting control over universities. She drew a direct parallel to the current administration, arguing that these actions are part of a broader effort by Trump to model himself after the Russian dictator.
According to Clinton, the path of one-man rule inevitably leads to systemic corruption and the destruction of democratic institutions, creating dangerous consequences like the reckless war currently unfolding in Iran. She emphasized that at this point in the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is vital for Americans to reject such behaviors.
The ripples from this election extend far beyond Hungary, sparking reactions from both sides of the aisle in Washington. While some Republicans celebrated the triumph of democracy, others questioned the wisdom of the administration’s overt interference in a foreign election. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska took to X to express his disapproval, stating that officials should not fiddle-paddle in other democracies’ elections.
Meanwhile, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi praised the Hungarian people for voting decisively in favor of the rule of law. Despite the criticism, Vance maintained his stance, insisting that his trip to Budapest was the right thing to do because Orbán stood up to the bureaucracy in Brussels.
How Orbán consolidated his power is a cautionary tale for many observers
After returning to office in 2010, Orbán’s Fidesz party utilized a parliamentary majority to rewrite the constitution, restructure the judiciary to favor party loyalists, and redraw legislative districts to secure their position, according to AP. This transformation led the European Union to officially label Hungary an electoral autocracy.
Steven Levitsky, a professor at Harvard and coauthor of the book How Democracies Die, noted that while democracies face significant challenges globally, autocracies are not immune to the will of the people. He pointed out that oppositions can win even when the playing field is heavily tilted.
The economic climate played a significant role in the outcome, with Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, attributing the loss to the natural desire for change among voters. Schlapp acknowledged that global turmoil, particularly the impact of the Iran war on European energy markets, created a difficult environment for the incumbent. He noted that in the end, people simply wanted to try the new guy to address inflation and economic instability.
However, other political figures see the result as a broader rejection of the authoritarian style that Trump has attempted to emulate. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland stated that the Hungarian people rejected the project that Trump is currently trying to implement in the United States.
As the political dust settles, the focus turns to what this means for future elections. Ian Bassin of the nonpartisan group Protect Democracy emphasized that even when a system appears rigged, voters can unite to defeat those in power.
Clinton echoed this sentiment, expressing her hope that American voters will take note of these events during the next presidential election. The defeat of a leader who was once considered an icon of the global right serves as a reminder that the reach of any incumbent is limited in an age of widespread public discontent.
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