Orbán scares Hungarian voters with Ukraine as elections near
Photo: Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán (Getty Images)
Pro-Russian Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán repeatedly resorts to the same tactic—"uniting" the nation against an "external enemy" of his own making. In the past, this role was played by Soros, the European Union, and migrants. This time, it is Ukraine's turn. Read the RBC-Ukraine's article to learn more details.
Rasto Kužel, executive director of Memo 98 (Slovakia), noted that anti-Ukrainian rhetoric remains in Viktor Orbán's public statements but has lost much of its efficacy.
"Yes, anti-Ukrainian rhetoric is still present in Viktor Orbán's public statements, but today it seems less effective than in the past. The main reason is the deterioration of the economic situation in Hungary, which is increasingly overshadowing foreign policy narratives," Kužel explained.
Hungary's economy is indeed in trouble. According to Eurostat, in 2023, the purchasing power of Hungarian households was only 70 percent of the European Union average. Overall, Hungary is mired in stagnation, which in turn has affected education and healthcare.
"Although the war in Ukraine has played an important role in shaping Fidesz's political narrative, economic difficulties seem to limit the mobilization potential of the image of an external enemy," Kužel added.
On the other hand, if Orbán believes that anti-Ukrainian rhetoric once again serves his political interests, he may step up it.
For the first time in many years, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces a challenger with a real chance of unseating him. The challenger is Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza opposition party.
At the same time, Orbán recently urged citizens to support his Fidesz party in the 2026 parliamentary elections, saying this is necessary to ensure that the country "does not get dragged into a war."
Earlier, in an interview with a pro-government Hungarian newspaper, he said he does not rule out a "war in Europe" in 2026, portraying himself as someone trying to "prevent" such a scenario.
