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The woman who knew Orban first – and left before the rest

When Hungary's Tisza party swept to a two-thirds majority, it ended Viktor Orban's 16-year grip on power and raised hopes – and difficult questions – about the country's democratic reset. Zsuzsanna Szelenyi, an early Fidesz member turned critic and now political analyst, reflects on Orban's transformation of the party, Hungary's regime-change challenges and a new generation's pro-European momentum.

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Will Hungary's new leader restore media freedom after years of Orban propaganda?

As Peter Magyar prepares to take over as Hungary's new prime minister, one of his first priorities is to dismantle a media system established by his predecessor, Viktor Orban, that served to limit scrutiny and amplify the ruling party's narrative. But experts question whether the new government wants a truly independent press, and what it will take to restore the public's trust.

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New Hungarian PM's campaign silence on gay rights worries activists

In his winning campaign, Peter Magyar focused on corruption, the cost of living and Hungary’s place in Europe – but stayed silent on LGBTQI+ rights, which were chipped away under former prime minister Viktor Orban. For Tamas Dombos, a Budapest-based gay rights activist, Magyar’s caution is both understandable and unsettling.

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Polls open in Hungary after a campaign of rallies, protests and war rhetoric

Voting has begun in Hungary's parliamentary elections, pitting incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s long-ruling Fidesz against challengers led by Peter Magyar’s Tisza party. The night before the polls, Orban wrapped-up his campaign with a rally in Budapest’s historic Buda Castle district, blending confidence, anti-war rhetoric, and MAGA-style flair amid scattered protests.

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Hungary braces for landmark election as Orban faces strongest challenge in years

In the final days before Hungary’s crucial elections on Sunday, the two candidates have been criss-crossing the country, whipping up enthusiasm in rival, frantic last-minute rallies. Huge crowds of flag-waving supporters have cheered them on all week, building towards what could become Hungary’s most important political moment since the fall of communism in 1989.

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