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On 12 April, parliamentary elections will be held in Hungary. The vote is of vital importance for both the country and the European Union.
Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s far-right prime minister, appears weaker than ever, undermined by an economic crisis, his attacks on fundamental freedoms, repeated scandals, and corruption cases. After 16 years at the helm, Orbán’s Fidesz is now trailing in the polls behind the Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza) led by opposition figure Péter Magyar.
EU leaders are hoping to see this troublesome European partner – a master of the veto and political obstruction – replaced; while the Kremlin is worried that a key conduit for its policy within the EU-27 may be closed.
In this highly charged campaign, the influence of powerful interests is clear. On 21 March, for example, the Washington Post revealed that Russian intelligence services allegedly offered to stage a fake assassination attempt to boost Orbán’s standing in the polls. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance also traveled to Hungary to lend his support to Orbán ahead of the election.
However, the outcome is far from certain. Members of the opposition warn of the complete takeover of the state and the media by Orbán and his allies—a level of control that gives him considerable influence over these elections.
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