Orbán casts himself as safe choice as ‘cruel, bloody war’ looms over Hungary’s election

Supporters of the opposition candidate Péter Márki-Zay during a demonstration in Budapest. Photograph: János Kummer/Getty Images

Until the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hungary’s general election campaign was dominated by such ruling party preoccupations as “traditional values” and protecting children from “LGBT propaganda”.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine featured in the slogans of Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party or the opposition parties which have united to dislodge him.