EU hopes Hungarian elections will end Orban's veto

The European Union is closely watching Hungary’s elections, which could weaken Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s long-standing obstruction of common decisions.

If he loses the 12 April vote, diplomats from several EU governments hope Hungary’s blockage of policies ranging from loans to Ukraine to sanctions against Russia and violent Israeli settlers will come to an end.

‘If Orban stays, we will have to change the way we work,’ a senior European official said.

Polls suggest Orban’s Fidesz party could lose to the opposition Tisza party led by Peter Magyar for the first time in years.

While a change of government could ease tensions and bring a more constructive tone towards Brussels, a major policy shift is not expected. Although Magyar has expressed a desire to strengthen ties with the EU and NATO, he remains cautious on migration and EU enlargement.

A possible change of government could therefore lead to a more pragmatic approach and less confrontation, but without a ‘revolution’ in foreign policy. For the EU, it would nonetheless be a palpable relief, sources say.

(reuters, pir)