The media named the main elections of the year in Europe

Russia may soon lose its closest ally in the European Union - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Hungary is preparing for elections, which are called the main political event of this year in Europe, writes Politico.

Orban faces the biggest test of his 15 years in power. His opponent and conservative leader of the opposition party Tisza, Peter Magyar, whose surname literally means “Hungarian,” leads with 49% support. Orban's Fidesz party, as the publication notes, has been lagging behind throughout the year, having previously received 37% of the vote.

Hungarian national elections will take place on Sunday, April 12. Voters will elect a new National Assembly. It consists of 199 deputies under the mixed electoral system. At the same time, 106 deputies will be elected from single-mandate constituencies, and 93 from national party lists.

Politico adds that Orban is the EU leader closest to Vladimir Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister has also become a “major headache” for the entire European Union, mainly due to the fact that he constantly uses Budapest’s veto power in Brussels to block anti-Russian sanctions and limit financial assistance to Ukraine.

Opposition leader Magyar, in turn, blames Orban for corruption, nepotism and support for oligarchs, which is why the Hungarian economy has weakened significantly. The publication notes that during his rule, Orban has tightened control over the media and weakened the independence of the judiciary.

“Hungary’s role as a permanent EU disruptor is likely to weaken, not because national interests will disappear, but because they will be realized through negotiations and institutional interaction, rather than through constant vetoes and symbolic conflicts,” added political scientist Rudolf Metz.

Therefore, the Brussels establishment, according to Politico, is “praying for a Magyar victory” in the hope that the Tisza government will strengthen ties with the EU and help Europe act with a united front in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Politico also published a list of the most influential politicians in Europe who had the most significant impact on the European political situation. The rating was topped by US President Donald Trump, followed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.