Is 20 years in power not enough? Viktor Orban wants another term

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Saturday during the 31st congress of his Fidesz party that he is ready to become its candidate for head of government in the parliamentary elections scheduled for April. The politician also touched on migration and global political trends.

Although Orban announced that the party would present its electoral list and its leader only on February 20, “after 20 years of serving as prime minister, he is still ready to take on this task.” He noted that he is still considered a relatively young man among international leaders.

“Only reliable and experienced governments can ensure a peaceful, safe and predictable life,” he said, adding that “this is not the time for experimenters.”

At the congress in Budapest, a list of 106 candidates was also presented – 65 from the previous lists and 41 new ones – who will run for parliamentary seats in 106 single-member constituencies. The mixed system in Hungary's parliamentary elections provides for the election of another 93 deputies to the 199-seat parliament from nationwide party lists.

The list of Fidesz and the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), the current coalition partner of Orban's party, will be presented on February 20, the Prime Minister added.

Commenting on the upcoming elections, he said that Hungarians will choose between “war and peace” in April. In his opinion, opposition parties “will introduce a Brussels war economy in the country.”

Another topic discussed by the Prime Minister was migration. – One of the issues at stake in the upcoming elections is whether we will bow to Brussels and turn Hungary into an immigration country, or whether we will continue to rebel and repel all Brussels attempts, he said.

– I propose that we continue the rebellion, Orban said.

Combining the issue of migration with security, he assessed that it brings violence and aggressive anti-Semitism. He stated that Jewish families from Western Europe are moving to Hungary in increasing numbers for this reason. He assured that Fidesz-KDNP is the only political force capable of guaranteeing the safety of Jews in Budapest.

Referring to the situation in the world, the Hungarian Prime Minister stated that the liberal international order was falling apart and the era of nations was coming. Speaking about capitals favorable to Hungary, he mentioned Washington, Beijing, Moscow and Istanbul.

Parliamentary elections in Hungary are scheduled to take place in April 2026. For months, most independent polls have given the advantage to the opposition TISZA party, although in recent polls the difference in support between Peter Magyar's party and the ruling Fidesz has slightly decreased.

Jakub Bawołek from Budapest (PAP)

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