Orb‡n faces tough test in Hungary vote

Tensions are escalating in the final stretch of HungaryÕs election
race, as polls suggest that the opposition Tisza party could end 
Prime Minister Viktor Orb‡nÕs 16-year rule

Mar 28
survey
39%
50%

Viktor Orb‡n, 62
Fidesz Ð Hungarian Civic Alliance

Pro-Moscow nationalist Prime
Minister has repeatedly held up EU
sanctions against Russia and
blocked aid to war-torn Ukraine

Four successive governments
he has led since 2010 have curbed
independent media and clashed
with Brussels over a raft of policies,
including migration

Won past four elections with
landslide, largely due to fragmented
and weak opposition

PŽter Magyar, 45
Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza)

Former Fidesz loyalist upended
status quo in 2024 with launch of his
centre-right party, which quickly
surged in polls

Popular with under-40s and urban
voters, but grassroots campaigning
has also taken him into FideszÕs
rural heartland, where support for
Orb‡n is strongest

Expected to support deeper
cooperation with EU and take strong
steps to curb corruption

Sources: Politico, Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images
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