© EPA-EFE/JAKUB GAVLAK Researchers close to the government typically foresee a triumph for Orban’s Fidesz formation.
The Hungarian opposition party, Tisza, has extended its advantage over the ruling Fidesz party of Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban to a notable 20% amongst voters who have already decided on their choice, according to a recent survey released on Wednesday, February 25th, Bloomberg mentions .
The Tisza party, established merely 2 years ago by Peter Magyar, a former member of Fidesz who has emerged as Orbán’s primary challenger, enjoys the backing of 55% of voters who have already made their decisions, as opposed to 35% for Fidesz, a Median survey revealed.
Following the poll, Magyar pledged to intensify his campaign efforts further, expressing assurance that his party would secure a two-thirds majority in the parliament, affording it the authority to revise the constitution.
Individuals who favor “Tysy” are also deemed more inclined to participate in the elections scheduled for April 12th.
Besides Fidesz and Tysy, Median’s projections suggest that the far-right entity, Mi Hazank (“Our Homeland”), will likewise surpass the requirement for parliamentary entry.
The Median results depict a noticeably larger lead for “Tysa” when contrasted with the outcomes of several other independent sociological bodies, with some anticipating a distinct advantage for the opposition group, whereas sociological services aligned with the government consistently forecast a victory for Orban’s “Fidesz.”
An opinion poll conducted by the IDEA Institute between January 31st and February 6th indicated that 48% of voters, who have already finalized their decision, support Tisza, while 38% support Orban’s Fidesz party.
The Median poll was administered from February 18th to 23rd among 1,000 individuals, encompassing a margin of error of approximately 3.5%.
Orban is confronting his most substantial challenge since Fidesz gained power in a resounding victory in 2010. The parliamentary elections in Hungary will carry significant ramifications for Europe and its far-right political movements. Orban, an associate of US President Donald Trump, has frequently clashed with the EU on various fronts, sustaining amicable relations with Russia, voicing disapproval of Ukraine, and obstructing European backing for Kyiv. The EU accuses Orban of weakening democratic principles.
To bolster his prospects of triumph, Orban is endeavoring to discredit Magyar, and anti-Ukrainian discourse constitutes a pivotal aspect of the Hungarian prime minister’s electoral strategy. For Orban and his associates, electoral defeat would signify not only the relinquishment of authority and access to government funds, but also the possibility of criminal prosecution, as noted by international journalist Volodymyr Kim in the article “From “Friendship” to the ultimatum. How Orban and Fico are putting pressure on Ukraine” .