Council of Europe cites serious concerns ahead of Hungary vote

TDT | Manama

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An international observer delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has raised concerns about the political environment in Budapest following a pre-election visit ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12.

The delegation met with government officials, election authorities, political parties, civil society representatives, media, and members of the diplomatic community. While they noted that the electoral process appears to be technically well prepared, they highlighted broader concerns regarding fairness and transparency.

Observers described the current climate as “toxic,” pointing to blurred boundaries between state institutions and the ruling party, along with the use of government resources to support one political group. They also raised concerns about a distorted information space, the spread of propaganda, and possible foreign interference.

Delegation head Pablo Hispán questioned whether Hungary remains a fully competitive democracy, emphasizing that voters should be able to decide the country’s future without pressure from fear campaigns, smear tactics, or unequal conditions.

The mission also expressed concern over aggressive and misleading campaign messaging, including rhetoric framed around “war or peace,” as well as narratives targeting the European Union and Ukraine.

Additional issues highlighted included the prolonged state of emergency, alleged misuse of state institutions and data for political purposes, and reports of voter intimidation and bribery.

The delegation further noted concerns about judicial independence in handling electoral disputes, uneven media coverage of political parties, and limited access to diverse and independent sources of information for voters.

The shrinking space for independent journalism, oversight, and accountability was also identified as a major challenge ahead of the elections.