Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sought on Sunday to rally voters for the elections, which he described as ‘historic' and which will take place on April 12, while opposition supporters turned out in large numbers for a rival rally on the national holiday, hoping to end Orbán’s 16-year rule.
After three years of stagnation, rising living costs, and the rise of a pro-European rival whom many view as a viable alternative, the Hungarian leader faces his toughest electoral test yet. Most polls give the opposition’s Tisza a significant lead.
Orbán declared that the gathering of his supporters was the largest of its kind and filled the main square in front of the parliament. Opposition supporters filled the majestic avenue stretching from the Danube to Heroes’ Square, where opposition leader Péter Magyar was scheduled to speak.
Fidesz disputes opposition poll lead
Prime Minister Orbán also dismissed his opponent’s lead in the polls and said Fidesz should aim to surpass its 2022 election result, when it secured its fourth consecutive landslide victory.
