Starting his career with the sponsorship of George Soros, during the 1990s Orbán shifted dramatically to the right, breaking with many of his former liberal allies. As an English speaker, he was able to earn the support of many figures associated with the International Republican Institute, eventually becoming the prime minister of Hungary in 1998. After losing re-election in 2002, he brought in more American advisors to revamp his political operation. This support enabled him to win a two-thirds majority in the 2010 election, allowing his party to solidify power.
In recent years Orbán has become the center of a new reactionary international, sponsoring allied parties abroad through both direct and indirect means to ensure that he could withstand the pushback against his increasingly autocratic regime. During his 18 years in power, he has consolidated complete control over the Hungarian state, using its resources to advance the cause of national conservatism both at home and abroad.
