Viktor Orban’s victory is a triumph for illiberal nationalism

AS ELECTION DAY dawned on April 3rd, the coalition of parties trying to unseat Viktor Orban, Hungary’s reactionary prime minister, hoped that the polls showing them trailing by six percentage points were wrong. It turned out they were, but in the other direction. Mr Orban’s governing Fidesz party won 53% of the vote, while the opposition United for Hungary alliance took just 35%. Fidesz increased its margin in parliament and retained the two-thirds supermajority needed to alter the constitution. The opposition’s candidate, Peter Marki-Zay, was plucked from obscurity a few months ago, and will most likely return to it. Mr Orban, the European Union’s longest-serving leader, won a fourth consecutive term and looks stronger than ever.