Orbán Launches ‘Anti-War Roadshow’ as Hungary Heads Toward 2026 Elections

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has begun a nationwide “anti-war roadshow,” making opposition to Western support for Ukraine a central theme of his early election messaging. The campaign will span five cities and aims to rally voters around Orbán’s call for “peace,” a message he hopes will weaken his political rivals ahead of the April 2026 elections.
The launch of the tour follows Orbán’s recent trip to Washington, where he secured a one-year exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports. He also sought to persuade Donald Trump to visit Hungary and meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring Orbán’s longstanding ties with Moscow—a relationship that continues to draw criticism across Europe.
Orbán has positioned himself as the lone European leader resisting what he calls a failed effort to arm Ukraine. But critics, including the rising opposition Tisza party, argue that Fidesz has stoked division and is too closely aligned with the Kremlin. Opposition leader Péter Magyar countered Orbán’s rally in Győr with his own event, accusing Fidesz of being a “party of war and hatred.”
Tensions with Kyiv remain high as Hungary blocks steps toward Ukraine’s EU membership and refuses to support sanctions on Russia. Anti-Ukraine messaging has become increasingly visible in Hungary, with billboards portraying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU leaders as threats to Hungarian interests.
Analysts say Fidesz is likely to frame the election as a referendum on “peace” and foreign policy. But with inflation, healthcare failures, and education crises dominating voters’ concerns, experts warn that the strategy may not be enough. Recent polling shows the Tisza party leading by about 7%, signaling growing discontent after 15 years of Fidesz rule.