Hungarians have had enough of Viktor Orban. But Trump's tailwind could save his skin

"The economy is stagnating, despite repeated promises of a long-awaited takeoff. Over the past decade and a half, Hungary has slipped from being one of central and eastern Europe's strongest performers to one of its weakest. Public services, from healthcare to transport, are widely seen as neglected, and Policy Solutions surveys show that voters have noticed. Hungary is not alone in facing a cost of living crisis, but comparisons offer little consolation to voters who were assured that Orban's model would deliver exceptional results."

"Tisza has unified a previously fragmented opposition and turned the April 12 parliamentary election into a genuine contest. At this stage, nearly half of Hungarians say they want a change of government. Yet preference is not the same as confidence. Many voters still doubt that change is within reach. This tension between dissatisfaction with the status quo and nervousness about the feasibility of political change has created an unpredictable electoral landscape."

"Orban also has something his rival can't match: he has a tailwind from Washington. While he may have little to shout about at home, Orban has gained new momentum in Donald Trump's volatile second term. Orban's campaign narrative now rests on the boast that he is simultaneously on good terms with the leaders of the United States, Russia and China. In a world of strongmen, Hungary needs a leader who can sit at their table."

Viktor Orban faces his strongest electoral challenge after 16 years as rival Peter Magyar and the Tisza party expose limits of his success narrative. The economy is stagnating despite repeated promises of a long-awaited takeoff, and Hungary has slipped from one of Central and Eastern Europe's strongest performers to one of its weakest over the past decade and a half. Public services from healthcare to transport are widely seen as neglected, and voters feel the strain amid a cost-of-living crisis. Nearly half of Hungarians want a change of government, but many doubt that change is attainable, producing an unpredictable electoral landscape. Orban emphasizes improved ties with the United States, Russia and China as a campaign advantage.

Read at www.theguardian.com