Elections in Hungary

Serbia rejects allegations of Ukrainian sabotage plan

Ukraine has nothing to do with the explosives found at a gas pipeline connecting Serbia and Hungary, says But Duro Jovanić, head of Belgrade’s military security service, according to Politico.

– It is not true that the Ukrainians tried to organize the plan, he says.

The explosives were found yesterday and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić described them as “powerful”.

Hungary pointed to Ukraine as responsible without directly accusing the country. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said that the alleged plan would fit the pattern of previous Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, writes Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine has rejected the accusations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi believes that it is probably a “Russian false flag operation as part of Russia’s broader influence ahead of the Hungarian elections next weekend”. 

Expert: Risk of Orbán introducing extraordinary election measures

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blames Ukraine for the alleged sabotage attempt on the gas pipeline that supplies the country with Russian gas. Russia says the same. But Ukraine has nothing to do with it, Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhij Tychyj responds to X.

"Most likely a Russian false flag operation as part of Moscow's extensive interference in the Hungarian elections."

The sabotage attempt only benefits Orbán and his party Fidesz. For a potential attacker, the timing would be very strange, security policy expert András Rácz at the DGAP think tank told Hungarian HVG.

- If they communicate that the explosives are of Ukrainian origin, it could pave the way for the Hungarian government to introduce extraordinary measures before the elections.

The elections are held on Sunday. In the polls, Orbán is behind opposition leader Péter Magyar.

The Hungarian election — it’s about the issue

• Hungary goes to the polls on April 12. Long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is being challenged by Péter Magyar and the opposition Tisza party, which is leading in opinion polls.
• Several reports have suggested that the Hungarian government under Orbán has been leaking sensitive EU information to Russia for years.
• Russia has been running disinformation campaigns and considering an assassination attempt against Orbán to bolster his support ahead of the election, according to sources.
• In addition, a new BBC documentary accuses Orbán’s government of trying to buy votes with money and drugs, especially in poor areas, which may have affected up to 600,000 voters.
• The election is marked by deep economic divisions, corruption allegations and foreign influence. Orbán and Magyar accuse each other of being controlled by foreign interests.