Hungarians vote in elections on Sunday that could see the end of hard right nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s more than 15 year rule. Opinion polls show Orbán’s Fidesz party trailing 45-year-old Péter Magyar’s centre-right opposition Tisza party.
Surveys indicate Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party is trailing the centre-right Tisza party led by Péter Magyar, a 45-year-old former ally who broke away from Fidesz in 2024 following a presidential pardon scandal.
The vote is being closely watched by officials in European Union institutions in Brussels, with whom Orbán has repeatedly clashed over concerns about democratic standards in the country of 9.6 million people.
Orbán, who has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has also been at odds with EU partners over his veto of €90bn ($105bn) in aid to Ukraine, linked to disputes over Russian energy supplies.
The 62-year-old has framed the election as a choice between "war and peace". During the campaign, government messaging has warned that Magyar would draw Hungary into Russia’s war in Ukraine, an accusation he strongly rejects.
Orbán has received public backing from allies of Donald Trump, including a recent visit to Budapest by Vice President JD Vance. He has also drawn support from the Kremlin and far-right leaders across Europe.
However, his campaign has been challenged by media reports alleging government links with Moscow. Orbán denies any wrongdoing, saying his priority is to protect Hungary’s national identity, traditional Christian values and security.
Meanwhile, Magyar has tapped into discontent over alleged state corruption and falling living standards.
Polling stations opened at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT) and are due to close at 19:00 (17:00 GMT), with voters choosing representatives for the 199-seat parliament.
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