Could Viktor Orbán return to power in Hungary?
Days before the European Commission decides whether to release €10.4 billion in frozen funds to Hungary, the question remains whether the country has truly moved past the Orbán era or whether he could still make a comeback.
For 16 years, Viktor Orbán held tight control over Hungarian politics and society. Following a heavy defeat in April's elections, that grip is now being dismantled by the government led by Péter Magyar, which succeeded him.
A decision on billions looms
Within days, it will become clear whether anti-corruption reforms carried out under the Magyar government have been sufficient to persuade the European Commission to release €10.4 billion. The funds were previously frozen over breaches of EU law that occurred under Orbán's rule, and are meant to help Hungary recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fidesz searches for a new path
On Politico's Brussels Playbook podcast, host Anne McElvoy spoke with János Bóka, who now leads Orbán's Fidesz party from the opposition benches in the Hungarian Parliament. Bóka served as minister for European affairs in the previous government and is now viewed as a relatively moderate figure tasked with rebuilding the party after its election defeat.
The conversation touched on whether Bóka wants to step out from under the shadow of the ousted strongman, and whether Orbán himself might still be looking for a way back to power.
