Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar has called on Russia to refrain from interfering in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections, according to a report by Euronews. The call comes amid allegations that the Kremlin has deployed a covert task force to influence the election outcome in favor of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Hungary is scheduled to go to the polls on April 12 in what is reportedly seen as the most significant challenge to Orbán's rule since he first came to power in 2010. Magyar, who leads the Tisza Party, is said to be currently leading in opinion polls.
I strongly call on the Russian leadership to refrain from any influence on the Hungarian parliamentary elections and from threatening Hungarians.
Last week, the VSquare investigative portal reportedly revealed that Russia had dispatched a three-person team led by Vadim Titov, operating under diplomatic cover at the Russian embassy in Budapest, with the aim of securing an Orbán victory. According to the report, the operation is overseen by Sergei Kiriyenko in Moscow, a senior Kremlin official and close ally of President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian embassy in Budapest has denied the allegations, dismissing the reports as fake news in a social media statement. The embassy stated that no Russian delegation led by Sergei Kiriyenko or Vadim Titov is working at the embassy and accused Magyar of being the source of the claims.
no Russian delegation led by Sergei Kiriyenko or Vadim Titov is working at the embassy
Magyar responded by calling on Russia to avoid interference, stating: "I strongly call on the Russian leadership to refrain from any influence on the Hungarian parliamentary elections and from threatening Hungarians." He added that if elected, the Tisza Party would seek balanced relations with Russia while strengthening Hungary's standing within the European alliance.