Hungary rocked by claims of mass vote-buying ahead of 2026 elections

A newly released Hungarian documentary, A szavazat ára (The Price of a Vote), has ignited a huge debate after alleging that up to 500,000 (!) votes could be influenced through vote-buying, intimidation, and coercion, primarily benefiting the ruling Fidesz party.

Produced by the civil group De! Akcióközösség, the film is based on nearly 60 interviews conducted across 10 counties. It paints a troubling picture of electoral practices in some of Hungary’s poorest regions, particularly in the north and east of the country.

According to testimonies featured in the film, vote-buying schemes are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, systemic pattern that exploits vulnerability and poverty.

“We persuaded them, we bought them”

One of the most striking claims in the documentary comes from individuals allegedly involved in organising votes.

“We persuaded them, we bought them, literally,” one source says in the film.

Interviewees describe a wide range of alleged techniques used to influence voters, including:

• Direct cash payments, reportedly starting from as little as HUF 1,000 (EUR 2.6)
• Distribution of food, firewood, or even livestock
• Providing alcohol to vulnerable individuals
• Organised transportation and guidance at polling stations
• “Chain voting” and open voting practices
• In some cases, alleged involvement of local criminals or dealers
• Threats or intimidation to ensure compliance

One organiser claims to have received millions of forints for coordinating such efforts, including transporting voters and overseeing voting behaviour.

A system built on dependency and fear

The filmmakers argue that the issue goes far beyond simple vote-buying. According to Áron Tímár, one of the creators, the real problem is systemic control.

“This is about domination,” he said after the premiere. “Vote-buying is just the icing on the cake.”

The documentary shows how dependency relationships (often tied to public employment schemes or social assistance) can be used to pressure voters. According to Telex’s report, several interviewees reported threats such as:

• Removal from public works programmes
• Exclusion from social aid or firewood schemes
• Intervention by child protection authorities

As Ádám Tompos explains, the goal is not always to carry out these threats, but to instil fear. “It’s about intimidation: making people fall into line.”

Not limited to one political side?

While the documentary focuses heavily on allegations involving Fidesz, some interviewees suggest that similar practices may have existed under previous governments or even among opposition groups. However, the filmmakers stress that their findings point to a widespread and entrenched system affecting multiple regions.

Importantly, the film does not present direct, verifiable evidence for every claim, relying instead on consistent testimonies from individuals across the country. According to the creators, the striking similarity of these accounts suggests a recurring pattern and not isolated cases.

Civil response: “Bring it into the light”

Alongside the documentary, De! Akcióközösség has launched a campaign to counter potential abuses ahead of Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary election.

The group is recruiting volunteers to act as “polling station observers” in areas considered high-risk. Their goal is to ensure transparency by monitoring voting processes throughout election day.

Organisers say at least 10 volunteers per polling station would be needed to provide effective oversight. However, they warn that observers could face verbal or even physical intimidation.

“The abuses happen in the dark, in grey zones,” said Tímár. “We need to bring them into the light. Even a mobile phone camera can act as a deterrent.”

Scandals are surfacing one after the other as we edge closer to the elections. Here are some of them:

• Family of Hungarian former central banker moves most valuable assets to Dubai
• What’s happening? PM Orbán’s closest friend moved EUR millions from corporate group to private account
• Could Hungary’s radical opposition Mi Hazánk step aside for Fidesz? Claims of behind-the-scenes talks surface

High stakes ahead of the 2026 election

Hungary is heading towards a crucial national vote, and the documentary has intensified scrutiny over the integrity of the electoral process. The filmmakers claim that as many as half a million votes could be influenced, which is potentially enough to sway results in a tightly contested election.

You can watch the film with English subtitles below (you have to turn on the subtitles):