Hungary's Orbán launches national petition against funding Ukraine
Photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Getty Images)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is trying to rally voters ahead of April's elections by playing up the war and European loans, Reuters reports.
On Friday, January 16, Viktor Orbán announced the launch of a national petition that is to become an informal referendum against the allocation of EU funds to Ukraine.
Against the backdrop of economic stagnation, the Prime Minister issued an ultimatum: voters must choose between war and peace, with the opposition allegedly leading the country into conflict.
Manipulation and pressure on opposition
The main target of Orbán's campaign was Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition party Tisza. Advertising billboards of the ruling Fidesz party try to associate Magyar with Brussels, claiming that voting for the opposition would mean sending tanks and young people to the front.
- Unsubstantiated accusations: Orbán claimed that the EU would allegedly pressure Hungary to mobilize its citizens, without providing any evidence.
- Magyar's position: The opposition leader has already refuted these accusations, stressing that his party stands for peace, rejects the idea of conscription, and does not support escalation.
Battle for ratings against the backdrop of EU loan
The decision on the petition came immediately after the European Commission's proposal to grant Ukraine a loan of €90 billion for 2026-2027. Hungary, along with Slovakia and the Czechia, agreed to this plan in December only on condition that there would be no financial obligations for themselves.
Hungarians' attitudes toward aid to Ukraine have changed: while 57% were in favor in 2023, support has now fallen to 36%, giving Orbán room for populist slogans ahead of the April 12 elections.
For the first time in a decade and a half, Viktor Orbán faced a real threat of losing power. The main competitor of the incumbent prime minister was Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition party Tisza, whose ratings are currently consistently ahead of the ruling Fidesz.
To retain his supporters, Orbán launched a large-scale intimidation campaign, calling on them to support him in 2026 so that, according to him, the country does not get dragged into war.
