Four obstacles to a change of power in Hungary

TT

Published 13.30

          

          Opposition leader Péter Magyar of the Tisza party during a demonstration in Budapest in October              2025. Photo: Rudolf Karancsi/AP/TT

Ahead of the ongoing parliamentary elections in Hungary, the opposition party Tisza is leading in independent polls. But the Hungarian system is often described as rigged in favor of the ruling Fidesz party and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Here are four potential obstacles to a Hungarian change of power.

Electoral districts and special rules

Of the 199 seats, 106 are elected via single-member constituencies, a system that is similar to, among others, the United States and is generally considered to favor large parties. In addition, several electoral districts have recently been redrawn (which in the United States is called gerrymandering) to favor Fidesz.

Special rules for specific national minorities (where Roma, Germans and Slovaks are the most numerous), where fewer votes are needed to win individual seats, are also believed to benefit Viktor Orbán's alliance, as Roma and Germans have historically sided with the government.

Control over the media

Viktor Orbán controls almost all state and private media. Reporters Without Borders estimates that around 80 percent of Hungary's media is controlled by "oligarchs" with close ties to the government, who receive almost all state advertising money. Critics accuse the Orbán-controlled media of unreservedly spreading the government's agenda and portraying Orbán in a positive light, while the opposition leader Péter Magyar is instead portrayed negatively.

Institutional control

By placing loyal people in courts and authorities, Orbán is believed to be able to exert great influence even if he were to lose the election on paper.

Campaign work with tax money

National conservative Orbán is accused of having used state resources for his re-election campaign. Ahead of the election, Fidesz has used state email lists, including those of the tax authority, to spread its message.

The government has also run an extensive, tax-financed media campaign promoting anti-Ukrainian positions and opposition to Ukraine joining the EU – in line with Orbán’s pro-Russian and Eurosceptic policies.