Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Sunday that the 2026 election would determine whether Hungary pursues greater alignment with the European Union or maintains an independent policy path.
Addressing supporters of his Fidesz party, Prime Minister Viktor Orban described next year’s election as a strategic choice between joining what he called “the politics of Brussels” or continuing Hungary’s current direction.
"Hungary has only two choices in a strategic sense," Orban said. "One choice is that we join the politics of Brussels. This, in my view, would be catastrophic, with consequences pushing us into chaos and poverty."
Orban, who has been in office since 2010, said the European Union was at risk of falling apart within the next decade. In the lead-up to the election, he has announced policies including tax cuts for families, food vouchers for pensioners, and subsidised loans for first-home buyers.
Hungary’s economy is currently facing challenges, including slow growth and inflation that has kept interest rates at 6.5 percent, the joint-highest in the EU.
Orban’s government has had repeated disagreements with the EU on issues such as judicial reforms, academic freedom, migration, LGBT rights, and support for Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Centre-right challenger Peter Magyar, who leads the Tisza Party and is a former government insider, has gained support in recent opinion polls. He pledged to restore close ties with the EU by unlocking frozen funds, cutting taxes for lower earners, introducing a wealth tax, and tackling corruption.
As the 2026 vote approaches, the debate over Hungary’s future direction within Europe continues to take centre stage in domestic politics.
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Hungary has vowed legal action against the European Union over a planned ban on Russian gas imports by 2027, after Brussels said national objections would not override EU law.
The 27 European Union member states have approved €20 million (approximately $23.3 million) in assistance for Armenia from the European Peace Facility, following Hungary’s decision to lift its earlier veto, European media reported on Wednesday (28 January).
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China said on Tuesday that the United States has invited Beijing to take part in President Donald Trump’s proposed 'Board of Peace' initiative on Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised American freestyle skier Hunter Hess after the athlete said he felt conflicted about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy, sparking a public clash that highlights growing political tensions surrounding the Games.
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (7 January), stressing that such action should not be seen as targeting the countries hosting those bases.
U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her attempt to win Olympic downhill gold ended in a violent crash just seconds into the race at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
A Japanese city near Mount Fuji has cancelled its annual cherry blossom festival, saying growing numbers of badly behaved tourists are disrupting daily life for residents.
Several avalanches struck northern Italy on Saturday, killing at least three people, as rescue officials warned the death toll could rise with unstable conditions persisting across the Alps.
Hong Kong’s most prominent media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday (9 February) to a total of 20 years in prison on national security charges. The verdict covers two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count related to publishing seditious materials.
Russian overnight drone attacks killed at least three people in Ukraine’s east and south on Monday (9 February), with officials reporting casualties in the Kharkiv, Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Sunday (8 February) he was in favour of banning the use of social media by children under 15 of age, as a growing number of European countries consider similar restrictions.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A South Korean Army AH-1S Cobra attack helicopter crashed on Monday (9 Febuary) during a training flight in the northern county of Gapyeong, killing both crew members on board, the military said.
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