Hungary voters want new EU approach, but tough on Ukraine

Key Points:

• As Hungary's April 12 general election approaches, polls show challenger Peter Magyar leading incumbent Viktor Orban, with a significant portion of voters still undecided; IDEA poll indicates 39% support for Magyar's Tisza party versus 30% for Orban's Fidesz.
• A European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) survey reveals that while Orban is not out of contention, many voters, including half of Fidesz supporters, favor a less antagonistic stance toward the EU, though skepticism remains about support for Ukraine and its EU membership ambitions.
• The ECFR poll shows 43% of Hungarians want a major change in EU relations, 25% prefer minor adjustments, and only 19% want to maintain the current approach, with 77% supporting EU membership and 66% favoring adoption of the euro.
• On Ukraine, the study finds strong public opposition to Kyiv's EU membership and limited support for financial aid and military transit, especially among Fidesz supporters, reflecting Orban's campaign stance; however, divisions exist among Tisza voters as well.
• Voters prioritize domestic issues over foreign policy, with Tisza supporters focusing on corruption, governance, public services, and inflation, while Fidesz supporters emphasize energy security and cost of living; about 20% of voters remain undecided but likely to vote.