Majority of Hungarians do not share Orbán's pro-Russian policy - survey

This is evidenced by the results of a study conducted by the Publicus Institute on the order of the Népszava newspaper.

The survey shows that the share of those who consider Russia's attack on Ukraine an act of aggression and do not share the assumption that Russia is only defending itself has increased. In February, 64% of respondents classified the war in Ukraine as Russian aggression, in April - only 56%. According to data collected in August, this obvious thesis again received 63% support. And according to the latest data, at the end of October, 69% think so.

It cannot be said that the growth occurred because of Fidesz sympathizers. Compared to the end of August, the opinion of supporters of the government party on this issue has hardly changed (46-43), but among supporters of the opposition, the situation has become even clearer. If at the end of the summer 88% thought so, now 94%.

According to the majority (57%) of respondents, Viktor Orban should condemn Russia more harshly for the attack on Ukraine. Compared to the April survey, this share has increased significantly. In spring, only 36% of the entire population considered the position of the prime minister towards Russia to be weak. And at the end of summer - 48%.

The poll also asked how likely respondents thought the war would spill over to Hungary, or whether Russia would use nuclear weapons during hostilities.

Only 12% see a chance that Hungary is also threatened with war. Slightly more people (17%) think that Putin will decide to use nuclear weapons. At the same time, half of the respondents feel a certain anxiety because of the war taking place in the neighborhood.

The study also covers the military policy of the cabinet. When asked how satisfied they are with the government's response to the war, 56% of respondents chose the option "dissatisfied" and 40% - "satisfied".  Compared to the April measurement, the number of satisfied people decreased by 19%.

A sharp contrast between the opposition and supporters of Fidesz-KDNP also exists in the question of whether the authorities allow weapons to be transported to Ukraine through its territory. 65% of the opposition and only 5% of supporters of the government would allow the supply of weapons.

Compared to previous Publicus polls, it can be seen that the number of people who agree with the government's pro-Russian policies decreases as time moves away from the election. If in April there were 56% of them, then in October - only 39%.  Probably, the war started by the Russian leader is partly the reason for the deterioration of the economic situation of the Hungarian people.