Politics

Apr 10, 2026 Jan-Werner Mueller

When trying to rebuild after illiberal rule, today’s pro-democracy governments discover booby traps laid by their predecessors and confront all kinds of veto players. But Poland’s experience has been instructive, highlighting the need for bold action and the right support from external actors.

PRINCETON—Over the last 16 years, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the European Union’s longest-serving current head of government, has taken all manner of actions to tilt the electoral playing field in favor of his ruling Fidesz party. Yet that party may well lose Sunday’s election, raising the question of what comes next.