The Russian Presidential Administration has approved a plan to support the Hungarian Fidesz party and Prime Minister Viktor Orban. According to Financial Times, the Social Design Agency (SDA) has been enlisted to flood Hungarian social media with fakes, memes, and infographics disguised as local content.
Manipulations Against the Opposition Leader
The campaign aims to portray Orban as a “strong leader” while labeling his main rival, Peter Magyar, a “Brussels puppet.” The situation is critical for the Kremlin: according to Politico polls, Magyar’s Tisza party holds a commanding lead with 48% of the vote, while Fidesz lags at 39%. With elections set for April 12, the 10% gap has remained steady for over six months.
A Threat to European Unity
For Europe, this intervention is a direct challenge to democratic institutions. Moscow is not merely supporting “friends”; it is attempting to use administrative and technological tools to subvert the will of the Hungarian people. If Viktor Orban retains power through Russian “bot farms,” it would set a dangerous precedent for the entire EU. However, the rising popularity of Peter Magyar suggests that Hungarian society is weary of the pro-Kremlin course and seeks a return to the broader European family, despite the best efforts of Russian propagandists.