Fuelled by the perception that its electoral victory was a mandate to influence the course of Hungarian politics for a long time, Fidesz has comprehensively restructured democratic institutions so as to enhance its own powers. Though the enacted changes primarily seek to ensure that Fidesz prevails in the electoral contests of the near future, the ruling party also put in place a contingency plan. Should Fidesz lose power in 2014, many of its irremovable loyalists will retain their positions in key supervisory roles. Even without a majority in the legislature or direct influence over the executive, Fidesz could exert significant indirect power over political decisions.

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