Right-wing leaders from around the world have endorsed Hungary's Viktor Orbán in a campaign video, highlighting the significance of the upcoming Hungarian elections for international far-right movements. The video, published online by Orbán, features nearly a dozen figures including Italy's Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini, France's Marine Le Pen, and Germany's Alice Weidel.
Orbán, the European Union's longest-serving leader, faces an unprecedented challenge from Péter Magyar, a former senior member of his own Fidesz party. With Hungarians grappling with economic stagnation and rising living costs, polls suggest Orbán and Fidesz are trailing behind Magyar's opposition Tisza party. Fidesz has emphasised Orbán's international connections as an asset, while Magyar pledges to tackle corruption and unlock frozen EU funds.
The video includes references to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Weidel praising Orbán for 'fighting for peace' and Salvini urging voters to choose Fidesz for peace. Other endorsers include Austria's Herbert Kickl, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu's appearance comes despite Israel's official boycott of Germany's AfD and Austria's FPÖ due to antisemitic roots.
Notably absent are US officials, though Orbán recently published a letter from Donald Trump wishing him 'best of luck'. Political analyst Márton Bene noted that a potential collapse of Orbán's regime would be symbolically significant for the illiberal-populist right, as Orbán is considered a prototype of that wave.
