Italian
Today, 8 million Hungarian citizens are called to the polls, open from 6 AM to 7 PM. The anticipation for the outcome of the contest seems frantic, given the importance of the result and its possible repercussions.
That Orban risks losing after years of leadership is not just an authentic rumor but is reflected in the official polls. It seems that the opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, a former ally of Orban, is ahead by 7-9 percentage points over the ruling party Fidesz, headed by Orban. It goes without saying that a defeat for the current right-wing government party would be yet another warning sign for Meloni’s government, already strained by the results of the referendum and the subsequent fallout, including resignations and a certain type of latent suffering stemming from the continuous, painful attacks from the opposition.
Returning to Hungary and its vote, the game is in full swing and the opponents are facing off with ballots. Orban and his old guard will try to confront the Magyar cyclone, which promises to bring changes, but also carries the classic uncertainty of a possible change of guard, as is customary.
The vote is being closely monitored in Brussels, where we know that the countries of the European Union have accused Orban of undermining the rule of law, with heavy-handed interventions in the press and media, as well as in minority rights. Skirmishes and contradictions that remain hanging by a thread. But there is more; the scenario of a possible defeat could unlock a package of EU aid of at least 90 billion euros in favor of Ukraine and, at this point, inhibit Russian influence within the Union, given the very close relationship between Orban and Putin’s presidency.
All open matches, which after the vote counting, speak of record turnout, could change Europe but not only.
Zero Biscuit by Mauro Lama
