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.
On 1 May, Azerbaijan summoned the European Union’s ambassador, Marijana Kujundžić, to the country’s for...
Trade between Colombia and Ecuador has fallen sharply after new tariffs were imposed, with business groups warning of mounting damage to the cross-...
President Trump has issued a warning to the international community, claiming a nuclear-armed Iran would strike Israel "very quickly&quo...
Pakistan has accused Afghan border forces of deliberately targeting civilians during renewed clashes along the ...
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he was "not satisfied" with Iran's latest peace proposal, which was delivered to Wash...
President Trump has issued a warning to the international community, claiming a nuclear-armed Iran would strike Israel "very quickly" before targeting Europe and the United States.
Azerbaijan won nine medals at the 2026 President Cup international regatta, held in Mingachevir and dedicated to Azerbaijan’s former president and national leader, Heydar Aliyev.
Preparations for Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to Kazakhstan were a central focus of talks in Astana between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
An international youth forum titled “Strengthening the Role of Youth in the Postcolonial Era” opened in Baku on 1 May, bringing together delegates from current and former colonies to discuss decolonisation, self-determination and the role of young people in shaping global governance.
Minval Politika has released further footage it says shows former International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo discussing alleged funding behind campaigns linked to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he was "not satisfied" with Iran's latest peace proposal, which was delivered to Washington via Pakistani mediators on Friday (1 May).
Dubai chef Shaw Lash at Mexican restaurant Lila Molino flies in her avocados and tomatillos, small, tart green fruits native to Central America that are a staple of Mexican cuisine and key for her colourful and spicy dishes.
Trade between Colombia and Ecuador has fallen sharply after new tariffs were imposed, with business groups warning of mounting damage to the cross-border economy.
President Trump has issued a warning to the international community, claiming a nuclear-armed Iran would strike Israel "very quickly" before targeting Europe and the United States.
The United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between President Donald Trump and Europe.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday broadening U.S. sanctions against the Cuban government, two White House officials told Reuters, as he seeks to put more pressure on Havana.
A 66-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Belfast, Northern Ireland, police say.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment