Is it really that bad? PM Orbán’s successor already being sized up – and the frontrunner may surprise many

According to the latest Publicus Institute poll, Fidesz’s base would not crumble if Viktor Orbán were not the prime ministerial candidate in April. Such a scenario once surfaced before the party’s 2006 election drubbing, and only recently Péter Magyar speculated that János Lázár could head a prospective coalition government. Yet the fresh survey suggests Lázár remains distinctly unloved.

Lázár says Roma should clean the trains

Péter Magyar wrote earlier this week of János Lázár – once touted as Orbán’s intra-party rival – as a potential prime minister in a Fidesz-Mi Hazánk coalition. Magyar argued that Lázár’s remarks about treating Hungary’s Roma community as a labour reserve for jobs shunned by ethnic Hungarians, such as cleaning trains (with migrants in short supply), were no accident. The comments have since taken on a life of their own, drawing fierce criticism even from Roma figures close to Fidesz – including the singer Kis Grófo.

The Transport and Construction Minister has spent months touring the country with his so-called “Lázárinfos”, fielding questions from all and sundry, jotting down notes to assist those who approach him, and addressing audiences at events. The Roma remarks, decried by many as offensive, emerged during one such session. One might assume this relentless grassroots presence gives Lázár an unassailable edge among party faithful. Publicus, however, finds otherwise.

Orbán insists succession is not on the agenda

A representative poll commissioned by Népszava has gone so far as to gauge whether Fidesz voters would stick together if Orbán stepped aside – and, if so, whom they would prefer at the helm. Talk of the prime minister standing down has bubbled in the press amid polls showing Tisza’s commanding lead. In such straits, many reckon Orbán would rather let someone else take the blame. His official statements contradict this: he has ruled out a presidential system and deems himself Fidesz’s best leader for now.

That said, he has name-checked potential successors, including Lázár, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, former president János Áder, and central bank governor Mihály Varga. Succession chatter was unheard of during past elections, marking a novelty after 16 years of near-unbroken two-thirds majorities.

A far more popular Orbán heir than Lázár

Publicus detects a clear frontrunner: among Fidesz supporters, 39 per cent would back Szijjártó as prime minister if Orbán bowed out, against a mere 12 per cent for Lázár. Szijjártó leads even in the general population, followed by “someone else”, Varga, and Lázár in fourth.

Notably, 55 per cent of all respondents believe Orbán is fatigued after 16 years in power, and it is time for a change. Absent Orbán, his backers would rally almost en bloc behind Fidesz’s orange-ticket candidates and lists, with defections at just 1-2 per cent.

If you missed our latest articles concerning the 2026 general elections:

• Péter Magyar: János Lázár to be Fidesz prime ministerial candidate in place of PM Orbán
• PM Orbán sweats as polls tighten – but Péter Magyar can’t relax either