Regime change in Hungary? What is the great fear of Hungarian voters in the April 12 election
Most voters in Hungary fear interference and fraud in the April 12 election, while the opposition led by Péter Magyar is ahead of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's party, an opinion poll shows.
Hungarian voters fear that the elections will not be rigged PHOTO: Facebook
According to the research published on Saturday by the Hungarian institute Publicus, 79% of the respondents believe that the elections could be affected by interventions from external actors or by possible manipulations of the current power.
Next Sunday's poll is being presented by analysts as a major showdown between opposing political directions, pitting supporters of liberal democracy against those of a more authoritarian model.
The opposition movement coagulated around the Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, is trying to end the 16-year rule of Viktor Orbán, a leader perceived by critics as close to the Kremlin.
Publicus data indicates that two-thirds of voters believe that any irregularities would be generated by the ruling Fidesz party, while only 15% suspect the Tisza formation. At the same time, only 30% of respondents believe that the electoral process will be completely fair.
Another poll, conducted by the research center 21 Research Center, shows Tisza at the top of voting intentions with 56%, while Fidesz is credited with 37%.
Anti-Orban satirical campaign of the Dog with Two Tails Party
In parallel, an atypical actor is making his way on the Hungarian political scene: the “Dog with Two Tails” Party, a satirical group that uses humor as a tool for political criticism of Viktor Orbán.
During the campaign, party members attracted attention through unconventional actions, including using a bus decorated with garish visuals and distributing promotional materials ironically promising impossible benefits such as “free beer” and “eternal life”.
The party builds its message on satirizing the current government, including in its activities themed games, parodies and symbolic initiatives that criticize perceived political cronyism and lack of transparency.
The formation claims that its role is to bring an alternative form of political discourse, addressed both to voters dissatisfied with the current government and to those skeptical of the traditional opposition.
Although it gained local representation in 2024, the party remains, according to polls, below the threshold needed to enter parliament, being credited with around 2–3% of voting intentions.
In its program, the formation promotes transparency in public procurement, anti-corruption measures, support for progressive taxes, support for LGBTQ+ rights and Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The party also takes a more liberal stance on cannabis policies, in contrast to the dominant conservative orientation in Hungarian politics.
Amid the campaign, public debate in Hungary remains polarized, and concerns about the integrity of the electoral process continue to be central to voter perception.
