Radio Free Europe, the long standing US financed dissident radio station that beams programmes from West German transmitters into countries where democracy is limited and human rights are abused, speculates that the year 2026 might see the ousting of the ultra conservative nationalist regime in Hungary. Rikard Jozwiak is the Europe editor for RFEin Prague, focusing on coverage of the European Union and NATO. On RFE's English service he observed "Hungarians go to the polls in early April. And there are strong indications that Viktor Orban, who has been running the country since 2010, will be defeated by Peter Magyar -- a former Fidesz protégé who turned into an opposition leader. This would be the most consequential result for the EU this year as Orban’s Hungary has been seen as a spoiler on many issues, notably related to Ukraine. While Czechia and Slovakia often side with Hungary, few believe that they will be hardline enough to block things on their own like Hungary has often done. And while Peter Magyar and his Tisza party are rather lukewarm on Kyiv as well, Brussels would expect several Budapest vetoes simply to be lifted if they came to power. The list is long and includes EU military aid to Ukraine that has been blocked for three years, EU accession negotiations with Ukraine (and Moldova) on ice since 2024, potentially tougher sanctions on Moscow (and Minsk), and a greater readiness to channel other types of funding for the war-torn country."

There is of course, also the Orban government's hostile attitude towards LGBTQIA people. A change in governance in Budapest could well see a lessening of the rhetorical and legislative assault on gay, trans and intersex people in the country.