The Rachman Review Hungary’s pivotal election
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Mar 26, 2026 Zsuzsanna Végh, an analyst at the German Marshall Fund focused on Hungarian politics and EU relations. She discusses polling shifts that could unseat Viktor Orbán. She outlines how media control, state capture and frozen EU funds shape the race. She maps Budapest’s deepening ties to Russia and the tactics used to weaponize Ukraine in domestic politics.
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How The System Favors Orbán After 16 Years
- Hungary's electoral system and 16 years of state capture heavily favour Viktor Orbán despite competitive votes.
- Zsuzsanna Végh details gerrymandered districts, media control, constitutional changes and loyalists in state institutions that blunt opposition power.
Economic Pain Is Turning Voters Against Fidesz
- Economic stagnation, high inflation and suspended EU funds have increased public discontent with Fidesz.
- Végh explains Péter Magyar tied the EU funds freeze to failures in healthcare, education and corruption to shrink Orbán's credibility.
Orbán Punches Above Hungary's Weight Internationally
- Orbán leverages international visibility and funding to amplify influence beyond Hungary.
- Végh notes Fidesz funds far-right networks, loans to parties like Marine Le Pen and Vox, and builds an 'illiberal' ecosystem attracting autocrats.