Orbán just lost his populist touch

(Jamie Dettmer – Politico) Not even the gaming of the electoral playing field — or state capture rolled out over a decade-and-half in power — could save Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from a crushing defeat on Sunday. Nor did the high-decibel support of Orbán’s MAGA friends, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who went all in for their most loyal European ideological ally, breaking the taboo against politicians campaigning in other people’s elections. Incumbency has its advantages, especially when brazenly exploited to rig the system, but it can also turn into an albatross. It did for Orbán this election. Voters were restless, and increasingly tired of him and his ruling Fidesz party, which they associated with the cronyism and corruption that is helping sink the economy. – Orbán just lost his populist touch – POLITICO