BRUSSELS – Over the past decade and a half, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has established himself as Europe’s strongman par excellence. But strongmen are not immune to politics, economic downturns, or shifts in international relations. With all three of these now in flux, Orbán’s grip on power is slipping ahead of the country’s parliamentary election on April 12. If his Fidesz party loses, the implications will extend well beyond Hungary, which has long been a bellwether for international political trends. Before Donald Trump arrived on the scene in the United States, Orbán’s Hungary had already heralded the rise of populist illiberalism and the new far right. All who seek to prevent or escape strongman rule will be watching this election closely. Hungary’s campaign season has already offered useful lessons. The first is that even in an “electoral autocracy” like Hungary, traditional politics still matters. Political prowess and grassroots mobilization can shake things up and challenge the illusion of invincibility. Orbán’s charisma and political talent ha