Hungary will host its parliamentary elections this weekend on Sunday 12 April, giving voters a historic opportunity to break with the current illiberal trajectory and join the democratic path.
The EU’s ‘Trojan Horse’
Current Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, first elected in 1998, is now seeking a fifth term. Under his leadership, Hungary has become a difficult partner within the EU, aligning itself with pro-Russian positions, undermining support for Ukraine and promoting pro-MAGA ideology.
Through the EU’s veto system, Orbán stalls decisions on sanctions, funding and foreign policy - amplifying his influence far beyond his country’s size, with a single illiberal leader able to block 26 other EU member states. A renewed Orbán mandate would further embed illiberal and Russian influence within the EU.
A skewed election?
Orbán’s grip on power has been building for over two decades, with centralisation shaping Hungary’s political system in favour of dominant parties such as Orbán’s Fidesz. Hungary now has the rare chance to expel Orbán, reset their democratic direction and reform his electoral autocracy which has no place at the heart of the EU.
With media control limiting voters’ exposure to alternative viewpoints, alongside gerrymandering, vote-buying and corruption, concerns have been raised about whether elections remain fully fair. Foreign influence and disinformation campaigns have also polarised people and undermined their trust in democracy.
A historical moment for change
In this context, ALDE Party member Momentum has taken the difficult but strategic decision not to run in order to maximise the chances of regime change through broader opposition realignment.
The party’s statement explained:
“Momentum was created to bring about regime change and to create an open country that rewards performance, talent and hard work. To achieve this goal, the Orbán system must fail and not be able to return in the next election. The party made this decision in order to change the government.”
This is Hungary’s chance to make history. For the first time in years, a united opposition presents a credible challenge, with Tisza Party’s Péter Magyar competing to make this the most consequential election since Orbán came to power.
Despite efforts to shape the political narrative, anti-Orbán protests and recent polls indicate growing support for opposition candidate Magyar. Many are still calling for freedom, democracy and diversity in the face of state-controlled narratives and propaganda.
As Hungarians head to the polls, this election offers a rare chance to reshape the country’s future by taking its place within the community of European democracies. Voters can choose a future that celebrates liberal democratic values, rather than undermines them.