Hungary's chance to rebuild science
Summary
Last month's parliamentary elections ended Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule, giving Hungary something more consequential than a change of government: a chance to show the world how to rebuild science after political control. With a two-thirds parliamentary majority, the new leadership has the mandate and the constitutional power to rebuild Hungary's scientific enterprise around merit, and resistance against future interference. If Hungary gets this right, it will offer a model th
Content
# Hungary's chance to rebuild science
*Published: 2026 May 14*
Last month's parliamentary elections ended Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's 16-year
rule, giving Hungary something more consequential than a change of government: a
chance to show the world how to rebuild science after political control. With a
two-thirds parliamentary majority, the new leadership has the mandate and the
constitutional power to rebuild Hungary's scientific enterprise around merit,
and resistance against future interference. If Hungary gets this right, it will
offer a model that matters far beyond its borders.
DOI: 10.1126/science.aei5835