Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is staking his political survival on the parliamentary elections on April 12, aiming to stay in power with the support of Russia, the United States, and China.
On Good Friday, the entire nation of Hungary comes to a standstill. Businesses close their doors, and employees are given time off. But while the country observes the religious holiday, work continues on the construction site of the Paks-II nuclear power plant located about a hundred kilometers south of Budapest. The project, situated on the west bank of the Danube, will add two new reactors to provide about 70% of the country’s electricity needs, despite Hungary lacking the expertise for such engineering feats. In a move that defies warnings from the European Union and others, Prime Minister Orban has opted to rely on Russian assistance for the construction.
As Hungary approaches the upcoming elections, the government has launched a smear campaign against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Orban’s alignment with the Kremlin’s narrative implicating Ukraine for Russian aggression in February 2022 has raised concerns among Western diplomats.
Of particular concern is the revelation of Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto collaborating with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to remove sanctions against certain individuals, highlighting Hungary’s deepening ties with Russia. This alliance has drawn criticism from within Hungary itself, with the director of the Otto de Habsbourg Foundation questioning the government’s pro-Russian stance.
The influence of foreign powers extends beyond Russia, with the United States also backing Orban’s ruling party. Vice President J.D. Vance visited Budapest to support Orban, reflecting a growing convergence between American and Russian interests in bolstering nationalist movements across Europe.
China, too, has become a significant player in Hungarian politics, with Beijing investing heavily in the country and even setting up a police unit to monitor its diaspora community. Orban’s willingness to cooperate with China, despite some failed projects, demonstrates his government’s pivot towards closer ties with Beijing.
As Hungary heads to the polls, the opposition faces an uphill battle against Orban’s entrenched rule. Reforms may prove challenging without a two-thirds majority in Parliament, allowing Orban to retain control over critical institutions. Despite the election outcome, restoring Hungary’s democracy may be a prolonged and challenging process.
