Tony Abbott labels Viktor Orbán ‘Trump with brains’ as future of Budapest thinktank linked to former PM in doubt

<p>Former Australian PM, who has been associated with pro-Orbán Danube Institute since 2023, praises ousted Hungarian leader</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Tony Abbott has likened Viktor Orbán to “[Donald] Trump with brains” and labelled him Hungary’s “greatest modern leader”, as the future of his work for the ousted leader’s pet thinktank hangs in the balance.</p><p>Orbán’s 16-year grip on power in Hungary has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/12/viktor-orban-concedes-defeat-as-opposition-wins-hungarian-election">ended after the rightwing populist leader conceded his Fidesz party had lost</a> to the opposition Tisza party led by Péter Magyar, which won at least 138 of the 199 seats in the country’s parliament.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/13/tony-abbott-labels-viktor-orban-trump-with-brains-as-future-of-budapest-thinktank-linked-to-former-pm-in-doubt">Continue reading...</a>