Competing political parties in Hungary focus heavily on the Ukraine war before the EU Parliament elections, waving a peace flag but in different colors.
The ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition is employing a strategy similar to that of the 2022 parliamentary elections, distancing itself from providing aid to Kyiv and casting Poland as a key pro-war country.
Throughout Budapest and rural Hungary, billboards and posters have appeared. These feature opposition politicians’ faces alongside the large word ‘war’ (Hungarian: háború). In contrast, other posters display the word ‘peace’ (Hungarian: béke) next to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s face.
Fidesz organized a “Peace March” in central Budapest on Saturday, during which Orbán spoke. The war in Ukraine was also a major topic during a televised debate of party leaders for the European Parliament elections, broadcast on public television.
The debate was notable for being the first such event on public television in many years.
One Fidesz campaign ad negatively portrays Poland, alongside France, Germany, and the UK, as a pro-war country. “Poland plans to deploy nuclear weapons, but Hungary pushes for peace,” a voice in the ad claims.
The Hungarian government has consistently criticized Western military aid to Ukraine and blocked €50 billion in financial aid for Ukraine until early February. Budapest also opposes Ukraine’s integration into NATO and the EU, though it has not formally blocked accession negotiations.
“If everything goes according to plan in the European elections and Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election in November, we could see the war in Ukraine end by year’s end,” Orbán stated in April.
A Zavecz Research survey published at the end of May found that nearly half (46%) of Hungarians believe the EU should not support Kyiv in any way.
Throughout Budapest and rural Hungary, billboards and posters have appeared. These feature opposition politicians’ faces alongside the large word ‘war’ (Hungarian: háború). In contrast, other posters display the word ‘peace’ (Hungarian: béke) next to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s face.
Fidesz organized a “Peace March” in central Budapest on Saturday, during which Orbán spoke. The war in Ukraine was also a major topic during a televised debate of party leaders for the European Parliament elections, broadcast on public television.
The debate was notable for being the first such event on public television in many years.
One Fidesz campaign ad negatively portrays Poland, alongside France, Germany, and the UK, as a pro-war country. “Poland plans to deploy nuclear weapons, but Hungary pushes for peace,” a voice in the ad claims.
The Hungarian government has consistently criticized Western military aid to Ukraine and blocked €50 billion in financial aid for Ukraine until early February. Budapest also opposes Ukraine’s integration into NATO and the EU, though it has not formally blocked accession negotiations.
“If everything goes according to plan in the European elections and Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election in November, we could see the war in Ukraine end by year’s end,” Orbán stated in April.
A Zavecz Research survey published at the end of May found that nearly half (46%) of Hungarians believe the EU should not support Kyiv in any way.
Test for opposition
The European Parliament elections will be the first significant test for Péter Magyar, who has recently become the primary critic of Orbán’s rule in Hungary.
The TISZA party, which Magyar took over a few weeks ago, has rapidly become the main anti-government force in Hungary, sidelining smaller opposition parties.
According to a Median survey published on Thursday, the Fidesz-KDNP coalition leads the race for the European elections with 48% support, ahead of the TISZA party at 29% with other parties with less than 10% support.
Taking into account the above estimation of Hungary’s 21 seats in the European Parliament, Fidesz could secure more than half, mirroring its performance from five years ago. Magyar’s party is estimated to win 2-3 seats.
The future affiliations of Fidesz and TISZA MEPs within European Parliament political groups remain uncertain.
Fidesz left the European People’s Party (EPP) in 2021 and may join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, which includes Poland’s Law and Justice party (PiS) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party. Meanwhile, Magyar is in talks with the EPP.
In addition to the European elections on June 9, Hungary will also hold local elections. Originally scheduled for autumn, they have now been moved forward by the government.
The European Parliament elections will be the first significant test for Péter Magyar, who has recently become the primary critic of Orbán’s rule in Hungary.
The TISZA party, which Magyar took over a few weeks ago, has rapidly become the main anti-government force in Hungary, sidelining smaller opposition parties.
According to a Median survey published on Thursday, the Fidesz-KDNP coalition leads the race for the European elections with 48% support, ahead of the TISZA party at 29% with other parties with less than 10% support.
Taking into account the above estimation of Hungary’s 21 seats in the European Parliament, Fidesz could secure more than half, mirroring its performance from five years ago. Magyar’s party is estimated to win 2-3 seats.
The future affiliations of Fidesz and TISZA MEPs within European Parliament political groups remain uncertain.
Fidesz left the European People’s Party (EPP) in 2021 and may join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, which includes Poland’s Law and Justice party (PiS) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party. Meanwhile, Magyar is in talks with the EPP.
In addition to the European elections on June 9, Hungary will also hold local elections. Originally scheduled for autumn, they have now been moved forward by the government.
Source: TVP World, PAP
