At CPAC Hungary 2026 in Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a keynote address sharply criticising European Union leadership.
The fifth instalment of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference heard Orbán claim that EU priorities have shifted away from European citizens towards issues such as migration, the war in Ukraine, and environmental policy. He linked these trends to economic strain and industrial decline, and warned of increasing political interference and censorship.
Central to his remarks was the assertion that ‘European democracy is dying.’, citing economic challenges, alleged restrictions on free expression, and concerns over external influence in national elections, including ahead of Hungary’s upcoming vote.
The upcoming election, scheduled for 12 April 2026, is widely seen as a pivotal moment for Hungary and the wider European Union, with all 199 seats in the National Assembly contested.
Viktor Orbán, seeking a fifth consecutive term after 16 years in power, faces his strongest challenge to date from Péter Magyar, whose Tisza Party has led in several polls, although the race remains competitive and uncertain.
Analysts describe the vote as a decisive test between competing visions of Hungary’s future — one centred on national sovereignty and continuity, the other on political reform and closer alignment with Western partners — with implications for governance, EU relations, and the trajectory of democracy in Europe.
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