Hungary’s New Generation Takes EU helm as Orbán Meets Far-Right Allies Amid Shifting European Dynamics

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders gathered for a summit in Brussels on Thursday without Hungary’s Viktor Orbán for the first time in 16 years.

While prime ministers, chancellors, and presidents have come and gone, Orbán has been a constant figure in Brussels, steering Europe’s rightward drift and pioneering nationalist populism that has influenced continental politics and inspired the Make America Great Again movement in the U.S.

Now serving as Hungary’s leading opposition figure following his April election defeat, Orbán has been sidelined after years of clashing with EU institutions, vilifying EU leaders, and undermining regulatory frameworks while weakening Hungary’s institutional checks and balances.

Long an obstacle to EU ambitions on Ukraine and beyond, the former Hungarian prime minister is now watching from the sidelines for the first time in decades as his successor Péter Magyar joins EU leaders including Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Friedrich Merz in advancing policies that contrast with Orbán’s vision.

As the EU summit opened to discuss strengthening Ukraine support, Orbán gathered with far-right allies from his new position outside the powers he once commanded.

Orbán, who remains steadfast despite his electoral defeat about far-right parties’ breakthrough potential, told reporters Wednesday his loss hadn’t interrupted “the rise of patriotic political organizations, communities, and parties across Europe.”

He expressed confidence that anti-migration and sovereigntist forces will grow stronger, hoping the Patriots for Europe group—of which he’s part—will help transform the EU toward reduced oversight, stricter immigration controls, and closer ties with Russia and China.

Hungary’s new government under Magyar and his center-right Tisza party has pledged constructive EU cooperation, ending Orbán’s blocking stance. Last week, Hungary lifted its veto on Ukraine’s accession process after negotiating minority rights protections for ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine.

“Hungary had issues that they were able to resolve to allow this to happen,” said Ireland’s European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne, whose country holds the rotating presidency and will push Ukraine and Moldova accession talks forward.

Europe’s far right has gained momentum recently—France’s National Rally under Marine Le Pen improved in municipal elections, while Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) polls rising. Czech populist Andrej Babiš, an Orbán ally, returned as prime minister and remains the only Patriots member leading an EU nation.

The right-wing coalition recently reformed EU migration policy after partnering with the center-right European People’s Party, drawing criticism from human rights groups for expanded surveillance, increased deportations, and offshore detention centers. After the reform passed Wednesday, far-right and center-right lawmakers celebrated loudly in the European Parliament.

Fractures within Europe’s far right have emerged over U.S.-Israel tensions in Iran and President Donald Trump’s Greenland annexation threats against EU member Denmark.

With Orbán now unable to veto EU decisions—which long defined his role—Ukraine’s main obstacle to EU accession talks has been removed.

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