How Péter Magyar Toppled Viktor Orbán’s Illiberal Regime

The fall of Orbánism has indeed brought something new to Hungary. It holds out the promise of profound societal change. Orbán’s fall has also been a rare moment of truth that renders clear things that were once disputed. Foremost among them: The truth is that Christian conservative nationalism is a lie. It is an ideological product, a kind of cheap political Tupperware parading as fine crystal, that distorts the true history of nations and ignores the actual needs of real people.

Of course, that truth about Orbán’s Hungary was always visible to those with eyes to see. Orbán’s dismantling of democracy and rampant corruption have been documented exhaustively over the last decade and half. That Orbán’s admirers know nothing of these things must be attributed to willful ignorance. Were they to admit the ugly truth about Orbán’s Hungary, they would be forced to confront the hollowness of their Christian conservative dream. Alas, now that Orbán is gone, where can they go to find a model? Perhaps to Russia, or China? Maybe Elon Musk will build an illiberal paradise for them on Mars.

But whatever they do, they should not look to Hungary. Hungary may indeed provide the glimpse of a better future—just not the future they dream of.