Hungary’s centre-right opposition Tisza party has extended its lead over Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party ahead of the April 12 parliamentary election, according to a respected Median poll.
Tisza, led by former government insider Peter Magyar, secured 55% support among decided voters, up from 51% in January. In contrast, Fidesz dropped to 35% from 39%, giving Tisza a commanding 20-percentage-point advantage among those certain to vote.
Among the entire population, not only decided voters, Tisza stands at 42% while Fidesz trails at 31%, as reported by Reuters. The poll was conducted between February 18 and 23 and reflects a significant shift in voter sentiment just weeks before the election.
Analysts say the results highlight growing frustration after three years of economic stagnation, despite several voter-friendly measures announced by Orban’s government. Median researchers noted that Tisza has regained political momentum after a slowdown in autumn and is now leading Fidesz with confidence similar to last summer.
Tisza, launched in 2024, has rapidly transformed Hungary’s political landscape, presenting Orban with his strongest challenge in 16 years of continuous rule. The outcome of the election could reshape Hungary’s domestic policies and influence nationalist political movements across Europe.
Apart from the two main contenders, the far-right Our Homeland (Mi Hazank) party is polling at 6%, slightly above the 5% threshold required to enter parliament.
Hungary’s 199-seat parliament consists of 106 constituency seats and 93 party-list seats. While most independent polls show Tisza ahead, Fidesz argues it remains competitive in individual constituencies and could still secure enough seats to retain power. The April vote is expected to be one of the most consequential elections in Hungary in over a decade.
