Pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces his toughest test in years. His party Fidesz is facing strong competition from the opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar. In several polls, the opposition is ahead, although the differences are small and not consistent everywhere.
In Brussels, the potential power shift is being closely monitored. Many European politicians see Magyar as a chance to restore the strained relations with Hungary. Under Orbán, cooperation has frequently stalled, especially on decisions requiring unanimous approval from all member states.
Change of Course
At the same time, European circles do not expect a complete change of course. A different style and tone seem more likely than a radical break from Hungary’s policies of recent years.
Promotion
Magyar positions himself as more pro-European than Orbán and wants to strengthen Hungary’s position within the EU and NATO. He also aims for previously blocked European subsidies to become available to his country.
However, his political stance is not without tension. On several sensitive issues, he takes positions close to those of the current conservative-nationalist government. This applies particularly to migration and other politically charged, mainly domestic, topics.
Hungary in the EU
This combination means that support for Magyar in Europe is often pragmatic. Even politicians who disagree with him on content see him as a possibility to break the current Hungarian-European deadlock.
The elections thus concern not only domestic politics but also Hungary’s role in Europe. The outcome could be decisive for how smoothly decisions within the EU will be made in the coming years.
It remains uncertain to what extent a new government will actually adopt a different approach on key European dossiers. It is precisely this question that makes these elections especially tense, both in Budapest and far beyond.