Gerrymandering
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- May 1, 2026
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Gerrymandering
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Viktor Orban’s crushing election defeat has thrown the Hungarian nationalist’s political future into doubt and shattered his reputation as an all-powerful leader. While senior members of Orban’s Fidesz party seem to have closed ranks behind him, rare public dissent from the party has seeped out, and analysts say it will be difficult to recover from the landslide loss that ended his 16-year rule. Last week, Orban -- who aimed to make the central European country of 9.5mn people a model of “illiberal democracy” -- announced he would not take up his parliamentary seat, saying he was needed for the “reorganisation of the national camp”. This marks the first time the 62-year-old -- who has cultivated close ties with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin -- will be absent from parliament since Hungary’s democratisation in 1990. Orban was routed in the April 12 elections by newcomer Peter Magyar, whose party won with 55%, securing a two-thirds majority in parliament, on the promise of “regime change”. Orban’s Fidesz-KDNP alliance lost more than half its parliamentary seats, getting 39% of the vote. Following the loss, Orban on Tuesday offered to resign as Fidesz leader, but the party’s national board reportedly rejected his resignation. He is expected to run unopposed for the post at a Fidesz congress on June 13, as analysts say his grip on the party remains firm as ever. “He turned Fidesz into his personal party, where the primary unifying force is admiration, respect, loyalty or a mixture of these towards him,” Szabolcs Dull, who runs the political podcast Otpontban, told AFP. But the election results have prompted some rare criticism from within Fidesz. Outgoing lawmaker Orsolya Ferencz, 55, insisted the party needed to learn from the loss, which she compared to a “divine judgment”. “The responsibility of certain politicians, business circles, think tanks and the media must be examined,” she told AFP, but declined to be more specific. “The lack of morality, often manifesting as the pursuit of financial (gain) or power at all costs, adverse selection, and the trampling of professionalism, is unacceptable.” But Ferencz stressed it was up to Orban to decide what kind of role he seeks in “rebuilding” their political community, lauding him for his “historic accomplishments”. Orban managed to bounce back once before: Ousted in 2002 after his first term as premier, he returned eight years later. “He has a unique capacity for adaptability, and resilience in Hungarian politics,” said Zoltan Novak, project director at the Centre for Fair Political Analysis. “But now his presence jeopardises renewal, because he represents the 16-year period that voters have overwhelmingly rejected,” he added. Incoming premier Magyar, 45, has pledged to enshrine a two-term limit in the constitution for prime ministers, theoretically preventing Orban’s return to power. Some Fidesz voters have felt deceived -- with Orban’s allies insisting even on election night that polls predicted their win. A fresh survey from pollster Median found Fidesz had lost about a third of its support base post-election. It also indicated that almost half the population -- even 18% of Fidesz voters -- believe Orban’s coalition lost because of corruption. Magyar put the issue at the forefront of his campaign, blaming underfunded public services on allegedly corrupt oligarchs. The pro-EU conservative has pledged a sweeping crackdown on corruption, urging authorities to stop Fidesz cronies from moving their capital abroad to the “United States, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates” until then. But Orban, in his sole post-election interview, denied graft was ever a problem under his governance, putting the blame on business associates “flexing” their wealth. He is “unable” to admit this, because “corruption and avoiding responsibility” were the main features of Orban’s system, according to Rafael Labanino, a political scientist from Germany’s Nuertingen-Geislingen University. Labanino said he expects Orban’s position will deteriorate further as the generous state funding pro-Fidesz media enjoyed over the past 16 years will “dry up”.
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Qatar has affirmed that serious dialogue and adherence to the principles of international law and good neighbourliness are the fundamental pillars for resolving crises and avoiding their dangerous repercussions. This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, before the United Nations Security Council’s quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question at the UN headquarters in New York. HE Sheikha Alya noted that the Council meeting is being held amidst the current situation in the Arabian Gulf region, since Feb 28, and the subsequent serious and multifaceted repercussions for it has on international peace and security. She reaffirmed Qatar’s condemnation of attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Qatar and Gulf states, as well as all violations targeting the national sovereignty of Qatar and the countries of the region, including attacks on residential areas, vital infrastructure, and energy facilities, which resulted in civilian casualties and material losses, constituting violations of international law and international humanitarian law. The UN Security Council Resolution 2817, submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Jordan and backed by 136 countries, underscored strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of these states, she said, adding that it also emphasized respect for navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law, particularly concerning vital maritime routes. Regarding developments in the Strait of Hormuz, HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN stressed the importance of ensuring security of maritime routes, freedom of navigation and international trade in line with international law. The strait’s security is linked to global energy security and supply chains, calling for concerted efforts to guarantee freedom of navigation and the opening of maritime routes, as it has regional and international implications. She noted that Qatar welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire announcement on April 8, expressing appreciation for mediation efforts by Pakistan and other parties, and stressed the importance of full commitment to consolidating de-escalation and creating suitable conditions for dialogue. Regarding the occupied Palestinian territories, Qatar condemned the illegal Israeli occupation’s measures in the West Bank, including reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli “state land,” accelerating settlement activity, approving legislation allowing the death penalty, and restricting freedom of worship in occupied Jerusalem. It reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution based on international legitimacy, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the necessity of ending the occupation, settlement activity, and all illegal Israeli practices in the occupied territory. Regarding the current situation in the Gaza Strip, she explained that Qatar emphasises the necessity for all parties to fully implement the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and to open the crossings to ensure the sustainable and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid to the Strip. She affirmed Qatar’s full and unwavering commitment to the Peace Council since the inception of mediation efforts, up to and including the signing of the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement with partners. She also reiterated Qatar’s continued coordination of humanitarian efforts with partners in the United Nations and the Peace Council, supporting the recovery and reconstruction process and enhancing the prospects for sustainable peace. As for the situation in the Gaza Strip, Qatar stressed the need for full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the opening of crossings to ensure sustained and unhindered humanitarian aid, and reaffirmed its continued commitment to mediation efforts and co-ordination with UN partners to support recovery, reconstruction, and prospects for lasting peace. HE Sheikha Alya affirmed Qatar’s unwavering commitment to the Peace Council up to, and including, the signing of the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement with partners. She also reiterated Qatar’s continued co-ordination of humanitarian efforts with partners in the United Nations and the Peace Council to support the reconstruction process and enhance the prospects for sustainable peace. She stated that Qatar reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and unity of Syria, condemning Israeli attacks that violate international law, and affirmed its firm stance on the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Lebanon, expressing full solidarity with measures taken to preserve its security and stability. HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations also pointed out that Qatar welcomes the ceasefire as an initial step toward de-escalation and appreciates mediation efforts, including those by US President Donald Trump, stressing the need to uphold and build on the ceasefire. NPT essential instrument for achieving collective security: Qatar NEW YORK: Qatar stressed the importance of strict implementation of the obligations arising from international agreements in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, who headed Qatar’s delegation participating in the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), before the general debate of the 2026 NPT Review Conference, at the UN headquarters in New York. HE Sheikha Alya stressed that the NPT is the cornerstone of the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime and an essential instrument for achieving collective security, which requires a full, balanced and non-selective commitment to implementing its three pillars, noting that the Review Conference contributes to focusing efforts to achieve the goals set out in this important treaty. Regarding the Middle East, she said that the 1995 resolution on the Middle East is an integral part of the treaty system, stressing the need to implement this resolution by establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, which is a fundamental step towards achieving security and stability in the region. She also expressed Qatar’s hope that the current session of the NPT Review Conference would adopt outcomes that support this goal, stressing Qatar’s support for the fraternal Sultanate of Oman as chair of the current session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. Regarding the failure of the NPT review conferences in 2015 and 2022 to produce a consensus document, HE the Permanent Representative stressed the importance of redoubling efforts and demonstrating genuine political will to revive international consensus in order to reach outcomes and results that contribute to achieving the objectives of the current Review Conference and to achieving international security, while emphasizing the importance of nuclear-weapon states making concrete and time-bound commitments to the complete and total elimination of those weapons in accordance with Article VI of the NPT. She stressed that Qatar emphasises the pivotal role of the International Atomic Energy Agency as the competent international body for verifying states’ commitment to using nuclear materials and technology for peaceful purposes only, while also stressing the importance of strengthening the comprehensive safeguards system and the Additional Protocol, as well as good faith full co-operation to ensure the peaceful and responsible nature of nuclear activities. HE Sheikha Alya underscored the importance of taking into account the highest standards of safety and security, and limiting the risks of radioactive leakage and its effects on neighbouring countries, the environment and water sources, with verifiable guarantees that it will not be diverted for military purposes. She called for all countries to join international agreements related to nuclear safety, and to commit to not transferring nuclear technology and materials to countries that are not parties to the treaty without meeting safety and security requirements. HE the Permanent Representative affirmed that Qatar will continue to work with its partners to ensure that this conference leads to real results that enhance collective security and brings everyone closer to that goal. (QNA)
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Last Saturday evening security agents seized an armed man outside the hotel ballroom where President Donald Trump was attending the annual dinner of the White House press corps. Although the incident took place at some
