BUDAPEST – Hungarians began voting on Sunday in closely watched parliamentary elections that could end nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16-year stint in power as a self-described “thorn” in the EU’s side. US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind the EU’s current longest-serving leader, who maintains close ties to Russia.
The vote is being closely followed abroad, particularly across the rest of Europe, as Orban’s Fidesz party faces its most serious challenge in years from the pro-European conservative Tisza party of Peter Magyar.
Tight Race
Opinion polls suggest the Tisza party is running well ahead of Orban’s, marking a potential shift in Hungary’s political landscape. Both camps have alleged foreign interference during the campaign in the central European country of 9.5 million people. US Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest earlier this week to rally with Orban.
Orban’s Legacy
Orban, 62, who is seeking a fifth straight term, has transformed his country into a model of “illiberal democracy.” Like Trump, he casts migration and “woke” values as a threat to Western “civilisation.” During his tenure, Hungary has increasingly locked horns with Brussels, which accuses him of quashing dissent and eroding the rule of law and has frozen billions of euros in EU funding.
Magyar’s Challenge
Former government insider Magyar, 45, burst onto the scene just two years ago, amassing support against a backdrop of economic stagnation, despite an electoral system skewed in favour of Orban’s Fidesz party. He has called on Hungarians to “take our homeland back” to secure its place in the EU, promising to crack down on corruption and offer better services.
Voter Sentiment
“Now is our last chance to choose finally east or west. Do we want to be a normal democracy or turn back east with no point of return?” first-time voter David Banhegyi, 18, told AFP after casting his ballot for Tisza in a leafy part of Budapest.
“I have one main problem with this government, what it did, the robbing,” said Edit Csillaghegyi, a 58-year-old shop worker, who told AFP that she voted for Magyar’s Tisza.
International Stakes
During his visit, Vance attacked the alleged interference in Hungary of Brussels “bureaucrats,” while Trump has promised to bring US “economic might” to Hungary if Orban’s party secures victory. Hungary is seen as the most corrupt in the EU, together with Bulgaria, according to the Transparency International watchdog.
Polls opened at 6:00 am (0400 GMT) and will close at 7:00 pm.
Analysis: A Pivotal Moment for Hungary
Sunday’s election represents a pivotal moment for Hungary and for Europe. Orban’s 16-year rule has transformed Hungary into a model of illiberal democracy, challenging EU norms on migration, rule of law, and democratic institutions. A victory for Magyar’s Tisza party would represent a sharp turn back toward Europe.
The involvement of Trump and Vance on Orban’s behalf underscores the alignment between the Hungarian prime minister and the American right. Trump’s promise to bring US “economic might” to Hungary if Orban wins reflects a broader strategy of supporting nationalist leaders in Europe.
For Hungarian voters, the choice is stark: continued illiberal democracy under Orban, or a return to European norms under Magyar. The outcome will shape Hungary’s trajectory for years to come.
