Did Trump just kill off Europe's most powerful populist?
4/13/202640 min
Victor Orban has held Hungary in his iron grip for the best part of two decades. He became known as the godfather of populism, overseeing democratic backsliding, media control, and the erosion of rights and laws.
Last night, that came to an end. An old, angry, Putin-adjacent man was defeated in a landslide. What does this mean for hard-right EU populism? For Ukraine? And for the Trump touch? Are there wider lessons for how to win elections in 2026?
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First 90 secondsSpeaker 00:01
[upbeat music] This is a Global Player original podcast.
Speaker 10:05
It is unbelievable. Since I've been a young child, since I was 10 years old, we have been under the regime of Orbán.
Speaker 20:12
We are free right now.
Speaker 30:14
We're really proud and like our generation because we changed everything.
Speaker 20:18
We hope that this is a new start for Hungary.
Speaker 30:21
I have a future. I'm so happy.
Emily Maitlis· Host0:23
It's five to midnight, and we're on the streets of Budapest in what feels like Europe's biggest street party. Tiza has just won the Hungarian election with a resounding success. They've sent Viktor Orbán packing after 16 years. What does it mean for the godfather of populism to be out on his knees? What does it mean for other populists around Europe? Should they start worrying now too? Welcome to the News Agents.
Speaker 00:52
[upbeat music] The News Agents.
Jon Sopel· Host0:58
It's John.
Emily Maitlis· Host1:00
It's Maitlis. And it took just four minutes and 15 seconds for Hungary's Viktor Orbán to end that 16-year stronghold on Hungary. I guess some would say on the EU, some would say on Europe itself. It came just after 9:15 last night when this authoritarian godfather of European populism took to the stage, and he conceded the election. And the fact that he received praise