It's sunny and, for this time of year, highly warm. Single white clouds adorn the blue sky, complementing the idyllic landscape. Although it is mid-February, the air clearly feels the first breath of spring.
Perfect weather for a household walk or outdoor picnic. It is no wonder that the inhabitants of Dunakeshi Podbudaštenski crowded out of their homes and headed for a picnic organized by the local community – the sausage festival. There are dozens of exhibitors. They offer local specialties at very affordable prices. There are even guests from Poland, from Stary Sącz, the partner city of Dunakesi. Hundreds of people play at the festival, or possibly even more than a thousand. They eat sausages, they drink phalanges, they perceive to folk music. Kids usage a free rink. Clearly, this attraction is not fresh to them. Most guests have a large time, and the local authorities are happy. No wonder – the organization is simply a large success. And sausage so willingly eaten by participants is besides a kind of... election sausage. due to the fact that present in Hungary almost everything has a political subtext and is subject to spring election.
Dunakeszi lies on the left bank of the Danube, about 20 kilometres north of the centre of Budapest. From the south it borders Újpest, the northernmost territory of the capital. Although it is in practice Budapest's bedroom, unlike the capital, the election is won here by Fidesz. No wonder Dunakesi is 1 of the most popular politicians in the party, Péter Szijártó. Better safe than sorry. The event organized by local authorities is likely to remind residents that in April elections it is worth choosing wisely.
This year, the main competitors: the ruling right-wing Fidesz and the opposition, the centre-left TISZA, compete highly fiercely. The polls go head to head, and above Viktor Orbán For the first time in years, the phenomenon of defeat appeared. The tests do not give clear indications.
According to Nézőpont Intézet Fidesz, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán can number on 46 percent support, while the opposition TISZA party, led by Pétera Magyar40 percent. akin results come from the Alapjogokért Központ poll – about 49 percent for Fidesz and 42 percent for TISH. However, completely different forecasts are presented by the Institute of Idea, which gives TIME a ten-point advantage – 48 percent versus 38 percent for Fidesz.
This year's campaign, as never before, has besides activated abroad. The United States clearly supported Viktor Orbán. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Hungarian Prime Minister in Budapest. He was previously supported by Donald Trump. "I proudly supported Viktor in the 2022 election and I am honored to do so again. Viktor Orbán is simply a actual friend, warrior and winner. He has my full and complete support for the re-election of Prime Minister of Hungary – he will never neglect the large people of Hungary!” he wrote.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with the leader of the Hungarian opposition, Péter Magyar. The conversation took place at the Munich safety Conference. Magyar was there undertaken with honors appropriate to the head of state or head of government, which caused confusion among parts of Hungary – including those skeptical to Fidesz.
There is another Polish subject present in the campaign. It's a character of Zbigniew Ziebra. His stay on the Danube was noted by many Hungarians with a mixture of amusement and consternation. He surely did not strengthen Viktor Orbán's position in the eyes of undecided voters.
Among children and young people, it is simply a subject of memes and jokes. For teenagers, students of the school in Ostrzyhomie, Ziobro became the first association with Poland. Fortunately treated with a wink. For them, the most crucial problem is uncomfortable and small aesthetic uniforms, which they must wear all day.
However, there are stronger voices. any Hungarian nationalists from Mi Hazánk consider Ziobra's presence a serious image problem. They ask me how I feel about the thought of holding a demonstration under his whereabouts. I don't encourage them, but I don't discourage them either. It's their country, after all, and they have the right to do it at their own discretion.
However, Polish themes stay the margin of the campaign. This 1 is getting sharper and more violent. Both sides are trying to drive scandals involving political competitors. TISZA returns to the subject of environmental contamination by the Chinese battery factory. Fidesh does not stay in debt. Recently, a moral scandal involving the leader of TISH, Péter Magyar, broke out. There was a video of him on social media.
Magyar reacted quickly, describing in item the circumstances of the alleged sextames. But his explanations did not convince everyone. Especially since there's drug-like substances in the video, apart from moral themes. While any Hungarians might overlook private political excesses, drug issues are far more severe.
The iron electorates are inactive at their election. István, a scientist working in 1 of the renowned governmental institutes, declares not so much as a supporter of the opposition as opposed to the current government. In a amazingly sincere conversation, I am convinced that present Hungary is 1 of the poorest and most corrupt countries in Europe. I check statistic – the situation is not ideal, but the black image drawn by the prof. seems exaggerated. However, István cannot be persuaded. In his opinion, Hungary is poorer present than Bulgaria and more corrupt than Ukraine.
Not only left-wing opposition sympathizers have reservations about Orbán's rule. Mi Hazánk nationalists besides point out the errors of the centreright, although they do so with little enthusiasm than a year ago. The result of this year's elections can be very different. possibly without an identity vote, Orbán will not be able to safe a parliamentary majority. This could mean a new, favourable script for Hungary, and indirectly besides for Poland.
Political tension, clearly present in the province, is not yet seen on the streets of Budapest. Only posters depicting the major Fidesz antagonists, including Zelenski and von der Leyen, remind of the upcoming elections. most likely the first major effort of force will take place on March 15, the national day of the feast of Hungary. Both sides will want to show their strength and advantage on the streets of the capital.
Although we will be in Budapest all year, this time we intend to avoid major organization assemblies. After all, we do not come there to support any of the annexed political forces.
The Hungarians are present faced with a hard choice and must make it themselves, following their own assessment of the situation and their own knowing of the Hungarian state. It's their decision. Although many points to another Fidesz triumph – possibly with Mi Hazánk's support – you must besides be prepared for another scenario. Poland needs Hungary and Hungary needs Hungary. Therefore, we must not be offended by reality, even if it brings little beneficial developments.
Przemysław Piasta
Think Poland, No. 9-10 (1-8.03.2026)
