Orbán surges in polls after Trump meeting, seen as favorite for 2026 hungarian elections
Viktor Orbán’s visit to Washington and his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump have had an immediate impact on Hungarian politics. According to a new survey by the Nézőpont Institute, published days after the summit, 50% of Hungarians believe Orbán will win the 2026 parliamentary elections, giving him an 18-point lead over his main rival.
The opposition leader, Péter Magyar of the TISZA party, lags far behind: only 32% of respondents see him as having a real chance of victory. The survey, conducted between November 10 and 12, shows that perceptions of the likely winner—a key factor for undecided voters—have decisively shifted in Orbán’s favor following his meeting with Trump.
Among undecided voters, the gap is even more pronounced. Forty-two percent believe Orbán will win, while only 10% see Magyar as likely to succeed. The remaining 48% did not express an opinion, suggesting that a significant portion could abstain or decide their vote based on who they perceive as the stronger candidate.
The long-awaited November 7 summit in Washington has been presented in Budapest as a major diplomatic success. Orbán and Trump closed agreements on energy, defense, technology, the economy, and education. In addition, the Hungarian prime minister secured exceptions to U.S. sanctions on Russian energy imports, as well as an American “financial shield” to protect the country against speculative attacks or external pressures.
The meeting, interpreted in Hungary as a demonstration of geopolitical strength and strategic alignment with Washington, has reinforced Orbán’s image as a leader capable of ensuring stability, economic protection, and energy autonomy.
With just over a year until the elections, the survey sends a clear message: Orbán heads into the final stretch as the undisputed favorite, while the opposition remains hampered by internal fragmentation and an inability to present a strong alternative to Central Europe’s most influential sovereigntist leader.
