The observers of the Council of Europe contest the democratic nature of the elections in Hungary

A delegation of observers from the Council of Europe expressed deep concerns regarding the democratic nature of the electoral process in Hungary, ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12. Pablo Hispan, head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), emphasized the crucial question: "Is Hungary a competitive democracy or a state captured by a single party?" Following meetings in Budapest, the delegation noted a "toxic climate" in the country, highlighting not only the election results but also the openness and fairness of the democratic competition.

Concerns include aggressive and misleading campaign messages, as well as the abusive use of state resources for partisan purposes. Limited access to pluralistic and independent information for voters was also reported. In this context, the center-right Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, has gained ground against the ruling Fidesz party, with voting intentions of 56% compared to 37% for Fidesz, according to recent polls. The April elections represent the most serious challenge for Viktor Orban in the last 16 years, but the outcome remains uncertain due to the large number of undecided voters.