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Subject

Fidesz’s surprise by-election defeat.

Significance

Independent Peter Marki-Zay’s election as mayor of Hodmezovasarhely, a ruling party stronghold, changed the tone of Hungary’s general election campaign. It is unlikely to change the outcome of the April 8 poll fundamentally, but the myth that Fidesz is unbeatable has been broken, giving opposition supporters hope as their parties, still fragmented, fight an uphill battle.

Impacts

The prospect of instability will boost the significance of European Parliamentary and municipal elections in 2019.

Hungary’s international isolation will increase as Fidesz seeks new external targets in its negative campaigning.

International attention on the April elections and Hungary, in general, will grow as the stakes increase.

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