Hungary’s 2026 Elections: The Stakes and Challenges

Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary elections offer the greatest opportunity for a change in the country’s leadership since Prime Minister Viktor Orbán assumed power 16 years ago. His time in office has been marked by democratic decline and a steady drift away from the European consensus in of foreign and security policy.

After the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe deemed the last parliamentary elections in 2022 free but not fair, the key issue is if the 2026 vote will again be marred by unfair electoral conditions. Uncertainty also exists about Orbán’s willingness to allow a democratic transition if he is defeated. Some are concerned that he may try to cling to power through measures never enacted in an EU member state.

This panel discussion will provide insights into the current levels of support for Orbán and opposition parties, examine campaign dynamics and potential threats to election integrity, and offer recommendations to international actors for mitigating electoral integrity risks through enhanced election observation.

To register for the event, please click on the button above. Details for access will be sent to registrants. For more information, contact Zsuzsanna Végh at [email protected].


The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a nonpartisan organization that advances the transatlantic partnership to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
 
With headquarters in Washington, DC; offices in Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Warsaw, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Ankara; representations in London and Madrid; and more than 140 experts and fellows worldwide, GMF is a hub for policy innovation, convening, and leadership development.
 
GMF’s work focuses on three priorities: strengthening transatlantic security, advancing economic and technological competitiveness, and adapting to a shifting global landscape.