Hungary Elections: Stark Reality for Working People
STATEMENT by Attila Vajnai, Member of the Political Secretariat of the European Left
No one is shedding a single tear for Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian, kleptocratic regime. Yet for many working people, the real issue is how their living conditions will change after the vote. On this question, the differences between the main political forces appear limited. Now, a third of Hungarian society lives in poverty.
The Orbán government has shaped an economic and social model that shifted resources upward, with a flat tax system and high VAT placing a heavier burden on those with lower incomes, while wealthier groups remain protected. Labour rights have been restricted, including limits on the right to strike and legislation that increases dependency on employers. Public services such as education and healthcare have continued to face underfunding, pushing more people toward private options that many cannot afford.
One can only hope that Péter Magyar, the new head of government, will keep his promises. But scepticism is warranted. He has made it clear that he will not seek major constitutional change, will not expand trade union rights, and does not plan to increase taxes on multinational corporations. He supports higher military spending and alignment with NATO priorities, including the ReArm Europe agenda.
Analyses published ahead of the elections indicate that the new government is likely to reduce social spending in order to stabilize public finances. For those already facing economic pressure, such measures would deepen existing inequalities.
There is also a wider political concern. Parts of the opposition have avoided clear positions on racism and the far right, while continuing to use political language that reinforces existing divisions. There is a real danger of strengthening repression against antifascist movements. This risks maintaining a climate in which exclusion and nationalist rhetoric remain part of everyday politics.
A different direction is necessary. Progressive taxation, stronger public services, investment in social housing, and the expansion of trade union rights would provide a foundation for a more balanced society. Economic decision-making should be more democratic and less dependent on the interests of large corporations, whether domestic or international. Without a shift in priorities, many in Hungary are unlikely to see meaningful improvement in their daily lives.
Photo Source: 2026 elections in Hungary, Wikipedia Commons