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Hungary Sets April 12 Election as Orbán Trails New Rival in Fresh Polls

Fresh surveys show Péter Magyar’s Tisza ahead, setting up Viktor Orbán’s toughest race in 16 years.

Overview

  • The official campaign period begins on Feb. 21, when candidates may start collecting signatures and posting election materials.
  • Independent surveys this week put Tisza at 48–51% of decided voters versus 37–40% for Fidesz, extending the opposition’s lead to 10–12 points.
  • Orbán released a campaign video featuring endorsements from international conservative leaders including Giorgia Meloni, Benjamin Netanyahu, Matteo Salvini and Marine Le Pen.
  • Magyar campaigns on anti-corruption pledges, promises to improve public services and plans to unlock EU funds frozen over rule-of-law concerns while keeping Hungary anchored in the EU and NATO.
  • Fidesz frames the contest as a choice between war and peace and alleges Tisza would entangle Hungary in the Ukraine conflict, accusations the opposition rejects.