The Twenty-Four Two Podcast: “Trump hasn't been the boon to Orbán that many expected”
This week's guest is Zselyke Csaky from the Centre for European Reform in Brussels - author of a recent report on the election. We discuss how Magyar’s foreign policy would differ from Orbán’s, whether Magyar could form an eastern counterweight to the EU’s Franco-German axis, his chances of getting his hands on €18 billion of suspended EU funds for Hungary, and Donald Trump’s failure to provide meaningful support to Orbán. “Trump hasn’t been the boon to Orban that many expected,” says Csaky. “Certainly he has received support rhetorically, and perhaps - although, at this point, it seems unlikely - Trump will visit Hungary before the vote. But, for Hungary itself, Trump hasn’t been that much of a success story - with the trade tariffs, with the uncertainty economically”. Most EU countries and its Brussels institutions would welcome a change of government in April, she says, but “at the same time, I think there are expectations among some in Brussels that may be unrealistic. One expectation is that once Orbán is gone, everything will be fine. I would just like to dispel that myth, because it’s easy to point to Orbán as the person who blocks everything in Brussels right now. But we know that, behind him, there are other member states who like to hide, depending on interest. If Orbán is gone, these disagreements might come out into the open”. Zselyke Csaky View multimedia 08 February 2026
In a recent episode of the Twenty-Four Two Podcast, host Zselyke Csaky from the Centre for European Reform in Brussels discussed the implications of a potential change in Hungary's government, focusing on the differences between the foreign policies of incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his challenger, Péter Jakab. The conversation also explored the possibility of Jakab forming an eastern counterweight to the EU's Franco-German axis, his chances of securing the €18 billion in suspended EU funds, and the limited impact of former U.S. President Donald Trump's support on Hungary.
Csaky began by highlighting that while Trump has offered rhetorical support to Orbán, this has not translated into meaningful assistance for Hungary. The imposition of trade tariffs and economic uncertainty under Trump's administration have left Hungary with limited benefits. Furthermore, the likelihood of Trump visiting Hungary before the April election appears slim. Csaky emphasized that Trump's tenure has not been the boon to Orbán that many had anticipated.
The podcast then turned to the potential consequences of a change in government in Hungary. Csaky noted that most EU countries and Brussels institutions would welcome such a shift. However, she cautioned against unrealistic expectations that the departure of Orbán would resolve all issues within the EU. She pointed out that while Orbán is often blamed for blocking progress in Brussels, there are other member states that also contribute to disagreements, often acting in their self-interest. If Orbán were to step down, these underlying tensions might become more apparent.
The discussion also touched on Jakab's potential foreign policy direction. Csaky suggested that Jakab's approach would likely differ significantly from Orbán's, particularly in terms of EU integration and relations with neighboring countries. The possibility of Jakab forming an eastern counterweight to the Franco-German axis was considered, but Csaky cautioned that such an alliance would face challenges due to the diverse interests and histories of the region's nations.
Another key topic was Hungary's access to the €18 billion in suspended EU funds. Csaky analyzed the factors that could influence Jakab's chances of securing these funds, including his ability to address the concerns of the EU regarding rule of law and corruption. She noted that while Jakab's election could lead to reforms, the process of reclaiming the funds would be complex and dependent on negotiations with Brussels.
Throughout the conversation, Csaky stressed the importance of recognizing the multifaceted challenges facing Hungary and the EU. She warned against oversimplifying the situation by attributing all obstacles to Orbán's leadership. Instead, she urged a more nuanced understanding of the political landscape, acknowledging the role of other member states and the systemic issues within the EU.
In conclusion, the Twenty-Four Two Podcast provided a comprehensive analysis of the potential implications of a change in Hungary's government, offering insights into the complexities of EU politics and the challenges facing both Hungary and the broader European community.
