Viktor Orban is set for a fourth term as Hungary's prime minister. That could be a boost for Putin
Challenger Peter Marki-Zay, 49, campaigned on bringing the landlocked nation of almost 20 million closer to the E.U. and highlighting Orban’s close historic links with Putin. Orban, in turn, campaigned on keeping Hungary out of the Ukraine war entirely, avoiding, he argued, much of the economic fallout that European nations are set to bare for standing tall against tyranny. In the end, Orban prevailed, though the future looks tough for the victor.
“Orban is isolated and will have a very difficult time in Europe [following] the election,” says Andras Bozoki, professor of political science at the Central European University in Vienna. “Because everybody knows him, his pragmatism and opportunism, it’s not like anyone believes that he will be a better guy.”
Hungary is a deeply polarized society with less-educated, rural voters typically backing Orban, with more highly-educated urbanites favoring the opposition. It was always going to be a test of who could mobilize their base and entice the 10-15% undecided running into the final weekend. Turnout was estimated to be as high as 70%.
Despite a population that is adamantly pro-E.U., Hungary’s government under Orban has strongly leaned toward the Kremlin. Whereas Orban international messaging emphasized Hungary’s neutrality, domestic state media has been parroting Putin’s justification for the invasion. Orban has refused to denounce Putin by name but instead only opposes “war” in Ukraine. He has also refused to allow NATO weapons to be transported through his territory to Ukraine.
“I am proud that, despite the extremely unfavorable global and regional developments … we have also been able to maintain our cooperation with Moscow based on mutual trust and in line with our national interests,” Szijjártó wrote on his
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