Meloni, Salvini, Milei and Netanyahu in support of Orbán

Brussels – Meloni, Milei, Le Pen, Salvini and Netanyahu. This is the (partial) list of those featured in Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s new election advert. Ahead of the elections, the Hungarian Prime Minister wants to close ranks and show his compatriots the support of his most loyal friends. The moment is decisive: parliamentary elections will be held on 12 April. Orbán’s party, Fidesz, is polling at 39 per cent, while the opposition led by MEP Péter Magyar is at 51 per cent.

The support of friends

Orbán, therefore, trailing in the polls, played the international support card. The entire global far right has raised its hand to come to his rescue: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, France’s Marine Le Pen, president of the conservative Rassemblement National party, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Spanish conservative leader Santiago Abascal, Germany’s Alice Weidel of Alternative für Deutschland, and even Italy’s own Matteo Salvini (Minister of Infrastructure) and Council President Giorgia Meloni. In the video, the Italian Prime Minister highlighted the similarities with Orbán: “Together we support a Europe that respects national sovereignty and is proud of its culture and religious traditions.”

The confusion of the right wing

The presence of the FdI leader infuriated the opposition. “A founding member of the European Union cannot lend itself to propaganda operations that legitimise illiberal models,” commented European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, a member of the Democratic Party. According to Picierno, “Giorgia Meloni’s choice weakens our country’s authority and symbolises the confusion that reigns on the right.” Indeed, it is not wrong to speak of confusion. Viktor Orbán’s challenger in the elections is Péter Magyar, who entered the race with his centre-right party Tisza. Orbán’s challenger was elected to the European Parliament in 2024 with the support of the European People’s Party, of which Forza Italia, Giorgia Meloni’s government partner, is a member.

The polls

In Budapest, in any case, the new election advert will be considered to be fair. On 14 January, the results of the poll conducted by the Hungarian polling institute Median were published: Magyar dominates with 51 per cent of the vote. “We are the majority,” the politician commented on X, adding, “We are facing the last stretch of the marathon from a fantastic position.” Orbán’s days therefore seem to be numbered, having been in power without interruption since May 2010.

Despite the estimates, however, Hungarians have little trust in the democratic system. In fact, 44 per cent of respondents expect Fidesz to win, while only 39 per cent expect Tisza to win. Who knows if the “¡Viva la libertad, carajo!” (Long live freedom, f***!) shouted at the end of the video by Argentine President Javier Milei will help Orbán tip the balance.