Description: The current Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, has come under scrutiny after investigative reports disclosed that Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, regularly had contact with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov and reported on confidential EU meetings. Szijjarto also lobbied for delisting of influential and controversial Russian businessmen from international sanctions lists in collusion with the cabinet of Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico. The scandal arrives closely before Hungary’s crucial general elections on Apr 12, when Orban’s Fidesz party will face with Peter Magyar’s Tisza. Fidesz, according to most unassociated polling sites, is substantially lacking over Tisza, with Peter Magyar successfully branding his political campaign on fundamental issues in Hungary, such as wages, rising cost of living prices, and declining public services. Magyar also gained significant support from Hungary’s youth population and some independent voters since he maintained Orban’s nationalist component but without leniency towards Russia.
Impact: The scandal surrounding Hungary’s foreign minister will highly likely serve as a compounding force in shaping public opinion ahead of the general election which would additionally reduce Orban’s popularity and even further endanger Fidesz’ declining position in the polls. Considering the cordial relationship across all levels between Russia and Hungary, the former could perceive the scandal as endangerment of its national interests and intervene on behalf of Orban’s Fidesz party. Hungary has been historically perceived as Russia’s dark horse within Europe, constantly undermining the Union’s foreign policy goals especially after the invasion of Ukraine, with Hungary maintaining crucial energy, political and intelligence services ties with Russia. Hungary could be caught in the middle of a power struggle between the EU and Russia as the general elections would most certainly determine the country’s future positioning.