Viktor Orbán has been the prime minister of Hungary since May 2010. He previously served as the country’s prime minister from 1998 to 2002. 

Biography

Spent his childhood in the neighboring villages of Felcsút (pop. 1,800) and Alcsútdoboz (pop. 1,500) 30 kilometers west of Budapest before moving to the city of Székesfehérvár (pop. 101,000) in central Hungary as a teenager. Attended the Loránd Eötvös University School of Law and Political Sciences in Budapest, where he earned a degree in 1987. 

Was one of 37 founding members of the liberal Alliance of Young Democrats (Fidesz) party formed on March 30, 1988. Gained national recognition in Hungary with his speech at the reburial of 1956 Hungarian Revolution political leader Imre Nagy in Budapest on June 16, 1989.

Has served as Fidesz National Assembly representative since 1990, one of only four representatives who have served continuously in the legislature since Hungary’s transition to democracy in the latter year. Has been the president of Fidesz since 2003 after previously serving as the party’s president from 1992 to 2000.

Was one of the vice presidents of the London-based Liberal International political federation from 1992 to 2000, withdrawing from the organization in the latter year. His political ideology gradually transformed from liberal to conservative beginning in the early 1990s.  

See: Notable Quotes: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

Last updated: May 7, 2018.