Hungary survey: pro-EU but divided on Ukraine. What does the Ecfr reveal?

The survey suggests that the next Hungarian government will have a popular mandate to take a “very different approach” to relations with the EU, with 45% of Fidesz supporters joining the 91% of Tisza supporters in calling for “major” or “minor changes” to the country’s current position.

Ukraine, a country that borders Hungary, emerges as both a dividing line and a shared position between voters of the ruling Fidesz and the opposition Tisza party.

While Tisza voters clearly differ from Fidesz supporters in viewing Kiev primarily as Hungary’s “partner” rather than “adversary”, they share the skepticism of the latter regarding future financial support for the neighboring country and its candidacy for EU membership.

The experts at Ecfr Piotr Buras e Pawel Zerka observe that, although a Péter Magyar victory would bring a “strong mandate” for a reorientation of foreign policy towards Europe, Hungarians remain division on the EU’s approach towards Ukraine, and this should “temper” expectations on possible policy reversals and on the prospect of Budapest fully returning to the European mainstream.

Despite tensions between leaders in Budapest and Brussels in recent years, 77% of Hungarian voters support the country’s EU membership; two thirds of those questioned “trust” the EU; and most want the next government to adopt a “different” approach to relations with the Union.

The survey was conducted online by Stratega Research and Mandate Research between March 26 and April 1, 2026 among a nationally representative sample of 1,001 Hungarian adults.

Most Hungarians want the next government to adopt a “very different approach” (43%) compared to Hungary’s position in the EU, or at least “make small changes” (25%); only 19% would like the government to maintain the current approach. This desire for change also concerns the base of the ruling party, as mentioned.

There is broad support for remaining in the EU (77% overall, 94% Tisza, 65% Fidesz); high level of “trust” in the Union (75% overall, 95% Tisza, 64% Fidesz); and a positive attitude also towards possible membership of the Eurozone (66% overall, 89% Tisza, 43% Fidesz).

Despite this, Hungarian voters remain strongly divided on foreign policy issues, including relations with China and the United States. Their position on Ukraine is complex: while the majority of Tisza voters (57%) want a “very different approach” to the current government regarding the war in Ukraine, they are deeply divided, and in some cases share the skepticism of Fidesz supporters, on substantive long-term commitments to Kiev, including financial support and support for Ukraine’s EU candidacy.

Overall, according to Ecfr, this suggests that although Budapest may adopt a more collaborative tone towards Brussels in the event of Tisza’s victory, there are limits how constructive the new Hungarian government can be as a foreign policy partner.