PM Orbán is more liked by Bulgarians and Slovakians than his own nation

A recent survey has discovered that PM Orbán is more popular among Bulgarians and Slovakians than Hungarians. However, his popularity in Poland shows a changing tendency.

A recent survey made by the Slovakian organisation, GLOBSEC, reveals PM Orbán’s popularity in eight EU countries. Citizens of Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia and Hungary were polled in the questionnaire. People were asked about their opinion of Putin, the ongoing conflict, Orbán and other matters.

Orbán’s popularity in Eastern Europe

Népszava reported that PM Orbán has the most fans in Bulgaria and Slovakia. 48% of people asked in Bulgaria and Slovakia had a positive opinion of the Hungarian Prime Minister. In Hungary, this number is only 43%. This is surprising, as he had more support before the elections last year. Romania is next on the list, 32% of respondents like PM Orbán. In Czechia, 28% of the people have positive sentiments about Orbán. However, his popularity has fallen in Poland despite the two countries’s centuries-long friendship and brotherhood, which you can read about HERE. Only 18% of Poles sympathise with him. In Lithuania and Latvia, most people have a negative opinion about PM Orbán. The study concludes that Orbán is more popular amongst nations that do not approve of their governments. PM Orbán’s popularity also shows a connection to what people think of Russia.

One year after the breakout of the Russo-Ukrainian war, 32% of Bulgarians still like Putin, and only 60% of Bulgarian people are against him. 21% of Hungarians think of Putin positively, while 71% judge him for his actions. Thus, Putin enjoys greater popularity in Bulgaria than in Hungary. The report finds this interesting, as Viktor Orbán’s politics are openly pro-Russian.

China and the Russian war

When asked about the President of China, Xi Jinping, 36% of Bulgarians and 26% of Hungarians had a positive perception. The percentage of people against Xi Jinping was the highest in Czechia (68%) and Lithuania (62%). The positive perception of democratic leaders (Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden) was more significant than that of the autocratic leaders (Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping) in all eight countries.

When asking people “Who is responsible for the Russian war in Ukraine? ” only less than 50% of Bulgarians and Slovakians blame Russia. This number is slightly higher in Hungary. 85% of Polish people think that Russia is accountable for the war. The support for sanctions is the highest in Poland (76%), followed by Czechia (72%). 56% of Slovakians and Bulgarians believe that the sanctions are useless and ineffective.

The report also examines LGBT+ people’s rights. Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania and Bulgaria show the least support and tolerance towards LGBT+ people. The support is the highest in Czechia and Hungary. GLOBSEC notes that there is a contrast between the cabinet’s anti-LGBT+ narratives and the Hungarian people’s views on matters such as LGBT+ couples’ right to get married. For instance, the opposition is planning to submit a law amendment on introducing sanctions over “LGBTQ sensitisation” activities in the next couple of week. Details HERE.