# Hungarian PM Viktor Orban Frames Election as Choice Between „War or Peace”
With the possibility of losing power after 16 years, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has framed the upcoming April 12 election as a stark choice between „war or peace,” claiming his opponents would drag the country into the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine. In a campaign marked by intense rhetoric, Orban’s nationalist Fidesz party has launched a nationwide petition against EU financial aid to Ukraine and deployed billboards depicting opposition leader Peter Magyar as subservient to EU and Ukrainian demands for funds and weapons. This strategy aims to position Orban as the guardian of Hungary’s stability and security, leveraging public wariness of the prolonged conflict.
Orban’s long-standing tensions with the European Union over Ukraine and other issues form the backdrop of this campaign. He maintains cordial relations with Moscow, refuses to send weapons to Ukraine, and opposes Kyiv’s EU membership. In contrast, Magyar’s center-right Tisza party, which leads in most opinion polls, seeks to reintegrate Hungary into the European mainstream after years of strained relations under Orban that have resulted in blocked EU funds. While dismissing Orban’s campaign as „propaganda,” Tisza has also adopted a cautious stance on Ukraine, opposing rapid EU accession and proposing a binding referendum on the issue.
Analysts link Orban’s focus on war to Hungary’s struggling economy, which remains stagnant after an inflationary surge triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. With economic performance weak, Orban is pivoting to security and stability messaging. However, public sentiment is mixed: in Fidesz strongholds like Gyongyos, some voters prioritize stability and fear war, while others are more concerned with economic issues like healthcare, education, and the cost of living. Orban hopes his anti-Ukraine rhetoric will resonate similarly to his hardline migration stance in 2015, though it remains unclear if this will sway undecided voters or those leaning toward Tisza.
Public opinion in Hungary has cooled toward Ukraine as the war drags on. A December poll showed opposition to EU aid for Ukraine rising to 63% from 41% in 2023, with 64% against Ukrainian EU membership. Orban’s comments may appeal beyond his Fidesz base, potentially dividing Tisza supporters and influencing undecided voters. While Tisza currently holds an 8–12 percentage point lead among decided voters, many remain undecided, and pro-government polls show a Fidesz advantage. The election will ultimately test whether Orban’s „war or peace” narrative outweighs public desire for change amid economic pain.
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