Viktor Orban has been re-elected as the leader of Hungary's main opposition party, Fidesz, for another year, despite the party's significant defeat in the April election. The vote, which saw Orban run unopposed, took place at Fidesz’s party congress on Saturday, with 729 out of 737 delegates supporting his re-election, according to state news agency MTI.

The re-election comes after Fidesz lost to Prime Minister Peter Magyar's centre-right, pro-Western Tisza party in the April polls. This marked the first time Orban, who had been in power since 2010, faced substantial criticism from within his own party following a major electoral setback. Orban, 62, acknowledged the defeat, stating he took "full responsibility" for Fidesz’s loss.

In a speech before the vote, Orban declared, "I do not give up, I never, never, never, never, never give up." He outlined a vision for Fidesz to transform from a governing party into a functional opposition, preparing for a future return to power. He characterized the party as having been a "fantastic governing party" for 16 years.

The implications of Orban's continued leadership for Fidesz remain to be seen, particularly as the party's support has declined significantly since the election, according to recent polls. The Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, has surged in popularity, with a May survey by the Publicus Institute showing Tisza with 55 percent support, compared to Fidesz's 17 percent.

Orban, a nationalist figure, had inspired right-wing conservatives globally, cultivating close ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. His "illiberal" model of democracy had been closely watched internationally.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar's Tisza party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority in the April election. This victory has enabled Magyar's government to begin reversing changes made under Orban's leadership that critics argued weakened democratic institutions, including the judiciary, media, and universities.

Since taking office in May, Magyar has initiated moves to amend the constitution, aiming to remove President Tamas Sulyok and other officials appointed during Orban's tenure. His government has also dropped Orban's previous veto on Ukraine's European Union membership, allowing accession talks to resume.

In response to these shifts, the European Union announced it would release 16.4 billion euros ($19 billion) of previously frozen funds earmarked for Hungary. These funds had been held due to concerns over democratic backsliding, corruption, and LGBTQ+ rights under Orban's government.