Overview
- In a state-of-the-nation address Saturday, Viktor Orbán said the European Union is a greater danger to Hungary than Russia and vowed to “clear away” what he called foreign-influenced NGOs, journalists, judges and politicians.
- Orbán has framed the contest as a choice of “war or peace,” reinforcing anti-Ukraine messaging with nationwide billboards and a government “national petition” rejecting EU aid for Kyiv.
- President Donald Trump renewed his endorsement on Friday, calling Orbán a “strong and powerful leader” as the Hungarian prime minister faces his toughest reelection fight in years.
- Opposition leader Péter Magyar said individuals linked to the government planned to release an illicit intimate video of him, described the August 2024 encounter as consensual, denied wrongdoing, and no video or source has been verified.
- An Idea Institute survey conducted Jan. 31–Feb. 6 showed Tisza at 48% to Fidesz’s 38% among decided voters, with the share of undecided voters falling to 24%.