Morning opening: Helló Budapestről!
Or, for those less fluent in Hungarian: hello from Budapest!
It is a beautiful, albeit slightly chilly, morning in the Hungarian capital as the final hours of the campaign unfold ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary election that could end Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure.
Polls, depending on their affiliation and proximity to the ruling party, generally indicate that Péter Magyar’s Tisza party is positioned for victory on Sunday. Independent pollsters also suggest this trend.
However, significant uncertainty remains with many voters still undecided or unsure about voting, despite expectations of record turnout.
At his concluding rallies, Magyar cautioned supporters against complacency, emphasizing the importance of securing every vote and encouraging full voter participation on Sunday.
Conversely, Orbán stated that “no election is decided until the people decide it,” maintaining his expectation of victory.
We will provide updates from Budapest and beyond to capture the atmosphere on the ground.
It is Friday, 10 April 2026. Jakub Krupa reporting for Europe Live.
Fidesz's attack posters featuring Zelenskyy are widespread
One notable aspect of this campaign is the prominent use of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Fidesz’s attack posters. These posters allege an association between Zelenskyy and the opposition’s Péter Magyar, urging voters to “stop them.”
The posters are ubiquitous throughout Budapest and along routes such as the train to Hatvan, where their presence rivals those featuring Viktor Orbán.
Ukraine has been a central theme during the campaign, with Orbán frequently positioning himself as the “peace candidate,” aiming to prevent what he describes as an EU-Ukraine conspiracy to draw Hungary into conflict with Russia.
My colleague Ashifa Kassam, also in Budapest for the election, has provided detailed analysis of this rhetoric, which has intensified recently.
Magyar's campaign advances east of Budapest
I traveled on the Intercity Tokaj train to Hatvan, where opposition leader Péter Magyar was scheduled to arrive around 1pm local time.
In 2022, Zsolt Szabó, the Fidesz candidate, won decisively here with over 50% of the vote, indicating this is not traditionally opposition-friendly territory.
Nonetheless, Magyar’s recent rallies have attracted significant crowds, making his reception today a point of interest.
As the election approaches, his campaign is moving further east towards Debrecen, Hungary’s second-largest city, where he is expected to conclude his campaign tomorrow evening.
MEPs raise concerns over potential Russian interference in Hungary elections
The European Commission faces calls to investigate whether Hungary’s elections are being compromised by Russian manipulation, intimidation of journalists, and voter coercion by the ruling party.
Three days before the pivotal parliamentary elections that could end Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, a cross-party group of MEPs has written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Rule of Law Commissioner Michael McGrath requesting urgent action.
The group seeks an immediate assessment, both before and after polling day, regarding whether free and fair competition conditions are being undermined by disinformation, foreign interference, misuse of state resources, journalist intimidation, and unlawful interference with opposition actors.
This appeal coincides with the European Commission demanding an urgent explanation from Budapest following a leaked recording suggesting covert assistance by the Hungarian foreign minister to his Russian counterpart.
As this is being reported, it is notable that US Vice-President JD Vance spent considerable time in Budapest expressing strong disapproval of foreign interference in the election, describing it as unacceptable.
Readers may interpret this information as they see fit.
'Get out and vote for Viktor Orbán,' Trump urges Hungarians
Overnight, US President Donald Trump reiterated his endorsement of Viktor Orbán ahead of Sunday’s vote, urging Hungarians to “get out and vote” for the prime minister and affirming his full support.
This is not Trump’s first intervention in the campaign; the two leaders have a decade-long association.
Earlier this week, US Vice-President JD Vance called Orbán on his mobile phone during a “day of Hungarian-American friendship” pre-election rally in Budapest. Trump also recorded a video endorsing Orbán.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump stated:
“Highly Respected Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, is a truly strong and powerful Leader, with a proven track record of delivering phenomenal results. He fights tirelessly for, and loves, his Great Country and People, just like I do for the United States of America. Viktor works hard to Protect Hungary, Grow the Economy, Create Jobs, Promote Trade, Stop Illegal Immigration, and Ensure LAW AND ORDER! Relations between Hungary and the United States have reached new heights of cooperation and spectacular achievement under my Administration, thanks largely to Prime Minister Orbán. I look forward to continuing working closely with him so that both of our Countries can further advance this tremendous path to SUCCESS and cooperation. I was proud to ENDORSE Viktor for Re-Election in 2022, and am honored to do so again. Election Day is Sunday, April 12, 2026. Hungary: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR VIKTOR ORBÁN. He is a true friend, fighter, and WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Hungary — VIKTOR ORBÁN WILL NEVER LET THE GREAT PEOPLE OF HUNGARY DOWN. I AM WITH HIM ALL THE WAY! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Magyar voters hopeful for change but see imperfections in candidate
This morning, we spoke with several Budapest residents at Jászai Mari Square in the city centre.
Most were hurrying to work but took time to discuss the upcoming Sunday vote, a topic increasingly present in daily conversations, including family dinners.
While some were reluctant to disclose their chosen party, all expressed strong opinions about the two main candidates: Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s far-right prime minister in power for 16 years, and Péter Magyar, a younger centre-right figure who emerged from Fidesz circles but turned against the party a year ago.
Interviews revealed that despite Magyar’s lead in polls, he is not universally regarded as the “perfect candidate” but rather as a protest vote against Orbán.
Supporters of Magyar expressed optimism about Sunday’s vote and predicted a clear victory for him, which could end Orbán’s rule.
Conversely, a notable number of Fidesz supporters in the capital resonated with the ruling party’s narrative that the election represents a choice “between war and peace.”
One Fidesz voter described the opposition candidate as a “narcissist,” while others expressed satisfaction with Orbán’s support for ethnic Hungarians in neighbouring countries.
