The seven international actors that lost with Orbán's electoral defeat

1) Russia:

Orbán managed to convince the EU to be allowed to continue the import oil gas from Russia. Hungary has systematically blocked aid packages to Ukraine, Orbán describes Zelensky as a dangerous warmonger, his government has leaked official documents from EU meetings to Russia, and has accused Kyiv of being a repressive state against the Hungarian minority living in west Ukraine.

2) China:

While the EU has worked to limit Chinese influence, Hungary under Orbán became the union's largest recipient of direct investment from China.

These range from Huawei's and ZTE's telecom expansion in the country to battery factories from Chinese companies.

In return, Hungary has often acted as China's defender in the EU Council of Ministers. In 2017, Orbán prevented the union from signing a statement against Beijing's alleged torture of lawyers. And in 2021, Hungary blocked the EU's condemnation of China's attack on the democracy movement in Hong Kong.

Péter Magyar has not distanced himself from China, but rather wanted to convey a general openness toward the outside world. It is therefore not certain that the influence Beijing already has will decrease. However, it is clear that Magyar will move closer to the EU, which in itself can be seen as a step away from China.

3) The Gulf states:

Not only Viktor Orbán's Hungary, but the entire EU, approached the Gulf states after a large part of the gas deliveries from Russia were stopped in 2022.

But Orbán took it a step further and traveled on his own to the countries to conclude agreements with leaders he described in warm terms.

As a result, Hungary has often voted against initiatives in EU meetings condemning the Gulf states for their violations of human rights.

4) The MAGA Movement:

Viktor Orbán has been the Trump administration's closest ally in Europe. In a leaked part of the U.S. National Security Strategy, Hungary was one of four countries Washington would cooperate with to save Europe from its alleged decay.

JD Vance visited Hungary in the days before the recent election and met Viktor Orbán in an attempt to strengthen his campaign at a point where the government was trailing in the polls.

The Fidesz leader was seen as so important to the White House that Vice President JD Vance traveled to Budapest days before the election to show support, while criticizing "Brussels bureaucrats" for destroying the country's democracy.

5) Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko:

In 2020, Alexander Lukashenko's government in Belarus crushed demonstrations with violence following suspicions of electoral fraud. It marked the beginning of a total freeze-out in Europe.

The EU expanded its sanctions against the country, and Lukashenko has since no longer been seen as a legitimate president by almost everyone except Hungary.

Hungary has maintained pragmatic relations with Belarus despite the western world condemning Belarus for its support to Russia in the war against Ukraine. Orbán has often advocated for dialogue rather than isolation regarding Belarus.

In 2024, the sitting Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó traveled to Minsk, and the countries announced deepened economic cooperation. The image of an axis consisting of Russia, Belarus, and Hungary was strengthened, much to the dismay of the EU.

With Orbán now gone, the trio is back to two, and Minsk is back in the EU's complete isolation.

6) Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić:

The Serbian president was clear with his support for Orbán on social media before the election.

"I am infinitely grateful to him for the friendship between Serbs and Hungarians. Without him, this friendship would not exist. And regardless of the outcome, I thank Viktor for everything and will support him".

Hungary's relationship with Serbia has been close, with strong political and economic cooperation. Orbán actively supports Serbia's EU rapprochement and had a good personal relationship with President Aleksandar Vučić.

Serbia is a candidate country for EU membership. With Orbán out of the way, the union can now set stricter conditions with higher demands for democratic reforms.

Furthermore, Vučić is dealing with domestic public opinion that is calling for more democratic rights. Hungary's voters may have shown the direction the country wants to embrace.

7) Turkey's Erdogan:

Two years ago, Sweden was waiting to become a member of NATO, but two countries stood in the way: Turkey and Hungary.

Orbán's game resulted in, among other things, JAS Gripen jets for Hungary. But according to many analysts, the country's actions were as much about backing Turkey in its opposition to Sweden's NATO membership.

Hungary and Turkey have developed close cooperation, particularly in migration, security, and energy. Orbán has often expressed support for Turkey's leadership and emphasized common interests.