Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections in April 2024 are shaping up to be a significant challenge for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party. Political discourse has intensified as opposition leader Péter Magyar, a former Fidesz insider, founded the anti-establishment Tisza party, rapidly gaining a polling lead of 10-12% over Fidesz. With Fidesz facing decline after 15 years of dominance, the government is ramping up electoral manipulation tactics, including amending election laws and gerrymandering districts.
To counter Magyar’s rising popularity, Fidesz has launched aggressive smear campaigns and intensified its digital outreach, utilizing AI-generated content and employing a substantial media ecosystem. The party’s recent moves suggest a tactical advantage, with polls indicating the opposition may need around 55% of votes to secure a majority, while Fidesz could maintain control with 45%. As the campaign progresses, the stakes for Orbán’s government are high, drawing attention from observers across Europe regarding electoral integrity and manipulation.
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