Viktor Orban declares ‘loud majority’ at campaign rally ahead of Hungarian elections

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared on Saturday that his ruling Fidesz party is the “loud majority” at a campaign rally ahead of the Sunday elections in Hungary.

During a rally in Szekesfehervar, according to the daily Magyar Nemzet, Orban said the campaign required “3 million votes” to secure victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, while urging support for Fidesz candidates Tamas Vargha and Gabor Toro.

He said Hungary had made significant progress since 2010 and called for national unity ahead of the vote.

The Hungarian prime minister reiterated that Hungary would not be drawn into the war in Ukraine, referring to commitments made during the 2022 election campaign.

He also criticized proposals linked to EU funding and energy policy, saying they could increase financial pressure on households and affect access to cheap energy.

Orban said his government’s tax policy on multinational companies had helped finance family support measures.

At the same rally, Szekesfehervar Mayor Andras Cser-Palkovics described Fidesz as “the safe choice,” while regional candidate Gabor Toro said the party remained the only force able to ensure stability.

Hungary is set to hold parliamentary elections on Sunday. A compilation of polling published by the Politico news website shows Orban’s Fidesz party trailing the opposition Tisza Party by 11 points.