Hungarians are preparing to cast their votes in a highly competitive parliamentary election that could potentially end Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure and alter the nation’s relationships with the European Union, Russia, and the United States.
During the campaign, Orbán, who holds the title of the EU’s longest-serving leader, has found himself lagging behind in the polls against Péter Magyar, a former high-ranking member of Orbán’s own Fidesz party.
Orbán’s challengers have prompted right-wing leaders from around the world to rally in support of him. Recently, JD Vance visited Budapest for two days, with the U.S. Vice President stating that his goal was to assist Orbán in securing victory.
U.S. President Donald Trump has also voiced his support for Orbán several times, most recently promising on social media that he would leverage U.S. “economic power” to benefit Hungary should Orbán be re-elected. Earlier, leaders such as Giorgia Meloni of Italy and Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had also expressed their backing for Orbán.
This election has significant implications on both domestic and international fronts. Orbán has emphasized that the conflict in Ukraine represents the greatest threat to Hungary, asserting that he is the only one capable of ensuring peace, while Magyar has centered his campaign on domestic concerns, vowing to tackle corruption, mend ties with the EU, and address the deteriorating state of public services.
Magyar and his center-right Tisza party have traveled extensively across the country, conducting as many as six rallies daily, and many polls currently indicate that his party is in the lead. However, analysts remain cautious, noting that undecided voters and Hungarians living abroad could influence the outcome, alongside concerns regarding alleged vote-buying practices.
For many Hungarians, the vote on Sunday will serve as a litmus test for the depth of Orbán’s political influence, following over a decade of efforts to reshape Hungary into a “petri dish for illiberalism.” This has included amending electoral laws to favor his party, placing loyalists in control of approximately 80% of the media, and suppressing opposing voices.
The election results will attract significant attention from the MAGA movement and the global far-right, who have often looked to Orbán as a model for their own political strategies.
Concerns also surround Orbán’s administration and its ties to Moscow amidst allegations of Russian involvement in the electoral process, including recordings that suggest a minister may have disclosed confidential EU information to Russian officials.
Orbán’s government has referred to these leaks—such as a transcript where Orbán allegedly told Russian President Vladimir Putin, “I am at your service”—as proof of foreign interference.
At a rally for Orbán in Székesfehérvár, a central Hungarian city with a population of about 100,000, hundreds of supporters gathered, waving flags and cheering as cameras captured the historic site where Hungary’s first kings were both crowned and interred. “I’m thrilled to be here,” exclaimed 78-year-old Cecília. “He’s the best leader in the world.” She noted that Sunday’s vote would mark her fifth time voting for Orbán, confidently asserting, “Viktor Orbán will win, of course, with a supermajority.”
Others expressed more cautious sentiments. “Poll results depend on who conducts them, but the atmosphere does feel tense. I’m worried for him,” remarked 69-year-old Sándor. “He seems fatigued.”
Among the crowd were also a few supporters of Magyar. “I was eager to hear the prime minister speak,” shared 27-year-old Richárd. He noted that the messages he heard pointed to a fundamental distinction between the two leading parties: “For 16 years, Fidesz has campaigned on hatred and fear, while Tisza has been striving to convey hope at all their events.”
