As Hungary approaches its parliamentary elections this Sunday, many in Ukraine are watching with a shared desire for a change in leadership. Viktor Orbán, who has been in power for 16 years and has taken a strong stance against Kyiv, is the focal point of this hope. However, the sentiment in Berehove, a small town in the Zakarpattia region, is more intricate.
With a population of around 30,000, Berehove is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Hungarians, where Hungarian is commonly spoken alongside Ukrainian. The community’s daily activities, from education to media consumption, are closely linked to Hungary.
Some locals quietly express their support for Orbán’s Fidesz party. “Orbán may not be perfect, but he shows concern for Hungarians everywhere,” stated a resident named László, as he visited the Hungarian consulate on Friday to prepare for his vote. He requested anonymity, feeling uneasy discussing the topic openly.
László conveyed his disappointment over the worsening relationship between Hungary and Ukraine but commended Orbán for providing passports to ethnic Hungarians, financial support, and advocating for their language rights. Despite the legal challenges in Ukraine, many in Berehove possess dual Hungarian citizenship, and Budapest has established polling places at consulates in the area.
Orbán has long positioned himself as a champion for ethnic Hungarians abroad—approximately 60,000 of whom reside in Zakarpattia—claiming they face discrimination in Ukraine and are pressured to conform to Ukrainian culture. Critics, both in Hungary and Ukraine, argue that he has exaggerated these issues to justify an antagonistic approach towards Kyiv and its western partners.
In the lead-up to the election, tensions between Budapest and Kyiv have intensified. Hungary has been obstructing a €90 billion EU financial aid package for Ukraine, which is crucial for supporting Kyiv’s military efforts. Orbán’s government has also leveraged the struggles of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine as a means to impede Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU.
A leaked conversation revealed Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó telling his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, that the treatment of Hungarians in Ukraine significantly influences Budapest’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession.
Nevertheless, many in Berehove believe the situation is more complex. While some express concern over Ukraine’s language policies, particularly a law aimed at reducing minority languages in schools (which has been suspended in 2023), others argue that Orbán’s claims of discrimination do not resonate with their daily experiences.
After attending a mass at a Catholic church adorned with a Hungarian flag, Natália expressed a shared life between Hungarians and Ukrainians. “We worship together and celebrate both Orthodox and Catholic Easter; we appreciate it this way,” she remarked, expressing her frustration over Ukraine being used as a political tool in Hungary. “While politics may be contentious, we live harmoniously here in Berehove.”
Some residents likened the sentiments in Berehove to the political divides seen in Hungary itself. “Like in Hungary, there are those who support Orbán and those who wish for an opposition victory,” shared Artúr, who desires a change in government due to issues of corruption and its approach towards Ukraine.
Experts and community leaders have sought to clarify Orbán’s support in Zakarpattia’s towns and villages through historical contexts. Berehove, known as Beregszász in Hungarian, has a complex history, having transitioned through various national controls over the centuries. Despite changes in governance, it has remained impoverished and underdeveloped.
Conversely, Timbur Tomba, a leader of the Hungarian community in Kyiv and a critic of Orbán’s government, attributed the Prime Minister’s popularity to state-controlled media. “Most Hungarians in Ukraine consume state propaganda, leading to a skewed perception of reality,” he asserted.
In Berehove, situated close to the Hungarian border, the impact of the ongoing war feels distant, with fewer local men being deployed to the front compared to other regions.
