Behind closed doors, PM Orbán acknowledged possibility to lose his seat, but spoke of a “miracle weapon”
Change language:
Despite his confident public statements, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is grappling with uncertainty about the 2026 election. He believes a ‘miracle weapon’ could help reclaim the narrative from the Tisza Party and Péter Magyar. Behind closed doors, Orbán has reportedly voiced dissatisfaction with the so-called “Fighters’ Club,” and people close to him say the next election may not be about Ukraine but about Orbán himself—a shift that calls for a new strategy.
Is 2026 shaping up to be a referendum?
Experts agree that Hungary is fast approaching an election in 2026 that will feel more like a nationwide referendum—whether Orbán and his ruling Fidesz party, in power for 16 years, should stay or go. Political analyst Péter Tölgyessy believes this could drive voter turnout as high as 80% and effectively transform Parliament into a two-party system. And at the moment, momentum does not appear to be on Fidesz’s side.
Recent polling from independent sources consistently shows the Tisza Party leading by margins over 10%. Even pro-government pollsters acknowledge the gap between Péter Magyar and Orbán’s party is narrowing. While Orbán recently projected a confident win for next April, he has privately admitted the race is wide open and new tactical moves are needed.
Orbán’s ‘miracle weapon’ talk
According to Szabad Európa, a private strategy meeting took place in the unusual run-up to the NATO summit in The Hague. In a two-hour speech, Orbán conceded that the previous narrative—that the Tisza Party would crumble—hasn’t panned out.
However, he expressed confidence that Tisza politicians could be defeated in debates, citing an example where State Secretary Péter Takács, in his view, outshined Tisza MEP András Kulja in a TV appearance. The hope is to portray Fidesz as the more capable governing force.
Orbán also criticised the newly launched, so-called “Fighters’ Club,” saying it hasn’t met expectations. A look at social media reactions to posts from top Fidesz politicians seems to support his dissatisfaction. Still, Orbán is giving the platform more time, expecting it to gain traction by fall.
