Hungary braces for landmark election as Orban faces strongest challenge in years

Supporters watching Peter Magyar (here seen on back) carrying the “Most vagy Soha!” (“Now or Never”) slogan of Magyar’s campaign. Sulysap, Hungary, 10 April 2026. © RFI/Jan van der Made

In the final days before Hungary’s crucial elections on Sunday, the two candidates have been criss-crossing the country, whipping up enthusiasm in rival, frantic last-minute rallies. Huge crowds of flag-waving supporters have cheered them on all week, building towards what could become Hungary’s most important political moment since the fall of communism in 1989.

“What Orban says are lies,” says Georg Goya, a former soldier who now works as a plumber. “He claims that if we vote for Magyar, Hungary will be drawn into the war in Ukraine. That’s complete nonsense.”