In a Facebook post, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán effectively issued a harsh ultimatum to Hungarian voters ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections. He stated that only a victory for his Fidesz party would allow the country to stay out of war, implying the conflict in Ukraine and a possible escalation in Europe.
“In the first days of this year, we received an important reminder that the liberal world order is falling apart. The election of President Trump was a fatal blow to it,” Orbán wrote, referring to recent events, including the crisis in Venezuela, as examples of the collapse of liberal values.
The prime minister stressed that Hungary must first and foremost “stay out of the war.” “To this end, we ask the Hungarian people to give us a mandate in 2026,” he added, making it clear that voting for Fidesz is a choice in favor of peace and stability, while the alternative could lead to the country’s involvement in military conflict.
Orbán also announced an upcoming press conference with international media, where he promises to discuss key topics, including foreign policy and the future of Europe.
This announcement came amid Fidesz’s shrinking lead over the opposition Tisa party in opinion polls. According to Bloomberg, in the event of defeat, Orbán is considering moving to the presidency and subsequently expanding his powers through legislative changes.
Critics view the prime minister’s words as an attempt to mobilize the electorate with fear of war, repeating the successful tactics of previous campaigns. The opposition accuses Orbán of manipulation, emphasizing Hungary’s economic problems and the need for change.
Hungarian parliamentary elections are scheduled for April 2026 and promise to be the most tense in the last years of Viktor Orbán’s rule.