, Columnist
Hungary’s Orban Suffers for His Overconfidence
Unless he takes a step back, he risks losing his dominance.
Riot police stand front of a Christmas tree in Budapest.
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has pushed through a number of unpopular laws that have sparked mass protests and, ominously, some violence. The autocratic leader is pushing the envelope with his brinkmanship; unless he takes a step back, he risks losing his dominance.
Since his Fidesz party won a constitutional majority in April and installed him as prime minister for a third consecutive term, Orban has moved to tighten his grip on the country. In recent weeks, he has mounted a rapid assault on the last remaining curbs on his power.