Hungary votes in a pivotal election that tests the democratic viability of Viktor Orbán's regime. Challenger Péter Magyar is capitalizing on voter frustration, implications that stretch beyond the country to Europe and NATO.

Hungary votes Sunday in a pivotal test of Viktor Orbán's "illiberal democracy," as challenger Péter Magyar taps voter frustration, with stakes for Europe, NATO and the U.S. <img alt="Vice President Vance meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on April 7, 2026, in Budapest, Hungary." src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1993+0+0/resize/3000x1993!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe8%2F70%2F228ea2804ef593dc24c677c7d909%2Fgettyimages-226...