Orbán’s rural base is still behind the Hungarian leader ahead of Sunday’s pivotal vote
István Vároczi, a 63-year-old entrepreneur from the small Hungarian city of Cegléd, says he does not believe polls showing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán could lose a key election on Sunday.
After 16 years in power and four consecutive election victories, Orbán faces an unprecedented challenge from centre-right rival Péter Magyar of the Tisza party, who has sought to weaken Orbán’s rural support base with months-long incessant tours of the countryside.
Although most polls show that many Hungarians have abandoned Orbán and his Fidesz party and plan to vote for change, the long-serving prime minister remains hugely popular among broad segments of Hungarian society, especially older voters and those living in the smallest settlements.
“I’ve been watching him for almost 40 years, I’ve always voted for him and I will again, I’ve never been disappointed with him,” said Vároczi, who sells handbags and other items at a stall in the center of Cegléd. “His greatest strength is that he doesn’t forget where he came from. He has always remained a normal person. I’m sure he has flaws, but who doesn’t?”
He added that Orbán’s populist-nationalist Fidesz party was “the only party I trust” and that he found the long-serving leader’s performance “unique.”
Magyar and Tisza’s party have found growing support among Hungarians after four years of economic stagnation, due in part to a freeze on billions of dollars in European Union funding to Hungary over concerns about the rule of law and corruption under Orbán.
But 47% of Hungarians over 65 support Fidesz, compared with 29% who support Tisza, according to a poll published Wednesday by pollster Medián. The survey shows that the smaller the community, the more voters support Orbán.
In Albertirsa, a town of about 14,000 in central Hungary, retired pipefitter János Falajtár became emotional as he described what he believes Orbán has done to serve his country. Struggling to speak through tears, he said that Orbán had “acted for the people.”
“Decisions are not important. Common sense and heart are important,” he said.
Orbán secured pre-election advantages and launched programs designed to attract his supporters; such as a popular electricity bill discount program supported by Hungary’s continued purchases of Russian oil and gas. Retirees also receive a “13th month” retirement supplement at the end of each year, and the 14th is currently being introduced.
The Prime Minister also spearheaded a program to renovate pubs and churches in small towns and abolished income tax for young mothers with more than one child.
However, Orbán’s political charisma, the importance he attaches to maintaining Hungary’s traditions, and his commitment to strengthening national pride resonate with his base perhaps more than any of his policies.
Falajtár, a retired pipefitter, said he felt Orbán had united the country, including areas of neighboring countries where many ethnic Hungarians reside, following the annexation of about 72% of the country’s territory after World War I.
“We are now starting to unite Greater Hungary in Vojvodina, Slovakia, Transcarpathia, Transylvania and even Austria,” Falajtár said. “They only took a small piece of us, but it’s still ours.”
Orbán campaigned heavily on the numerous dangers he said would threaten Hungarians if he was not elected for another term, especially the war in neighboring Ukraine, which he said threatened to drive Hungary into bankruptcy or even direct conflict.
Despite the stagnant economy, many of Orbán’s supporters believe that external factors, not government mismanagement, are the problem.
Bag seller Vároczi said the government was “doing its best for us, for the people.”
