A new survey by the 21 Research Centre (21 Kutatóközpont), commissioned by Népszava, reveals a striking shift in Budapest’s political landscape: the majority of voters in the capital would now cast their ballots for the Tisza Party, led by Péter Magyar.
Tisza Party has a huge lead in the capital
The poll suggests that Tisza has not only strengthened significantly since last year’s European Parliament elections, but has also pulled far ahead of the governing Fidesz in almost every key indicator.
According to the representative survey of 1,000 adults, 51% of all Budapest respondents would vote for the Tisza Party if elections were held this Sunday. Among those who can name a preferred party, support rises to 55–58%, depending on the subset measured, writes Népszava.
Fidesz, by contrast, stands at 24% among all respondents, and 26% among committed voters – a noticeable decline from last year, when both parties received 33%.
Small parties stagnate as MKKP edges ahead
The poll shows that none of the traditional opposition parties has managed to break through the five-percent threshold in the capital. Both the Democratic Coalition (DK) and the radical right Mi Hazánk Movement remain at 4%, while Momentum registers only 1%.
The satirical Two-Tailed Dog Party (Magyar Kétfarkú Kutyapárt, or MKKP for short), however, would reach 5–6%, making it the only smaller party to clear the threshold in Budapest, and just 8% of respondents say they are currently undecided.
Karácsony remains the most popular political figure
The survey also examined the popularity of leading politicians in the capital. Incumbent mayor Gergely Karácsony tops the list: 50% of Budapest residents view him as “rather” or “strongly” likeable. Péter Magyar follows with 45%.
Support for Dávid Vitézy, leader of the Podmaniczky Movement and a former state secretary, is more mixed: 39% see him favourably, while a sizeable 34% remain ambivalent. Fidesz’s mayoral candidate Alexandra Szentkirályi has the lowest favourability among the major contenders, with only 22% holding a positive view and 64% expressing dislike.
Karácsony would comfortably win a mayoral election
If the mayoral election were held this Sunday, the poll indicates a clear victory for Karácsony among voters who can choose a candidate:
- 50% would back Karácsony
- 27% would vote for Vitézy
- 23% would support Szentkirályi
Analysts note that Karácsony’s strong position stems largely from his popularity among Tisza Party supporters: 77% of them view him positively, and they prefer him over Vitézy by a decisive 69–27 margin.
Who is to blame for Budapest’s financial troubles?
The survey also explored perceptions of responsibility for the capital’s ongoing budgetary woes. Opposition-leaning voters overwhelmingly blame the national government, while most Fidesz voters fault the mayor. Among undecided residents, a relative majority also holds the government responsible. Overall, two-thirds of Budapest voters view the government as chiefly to blame.
National trends contrast with Budapest’s political climate
While Tisza dominates the capital, nationwide trends appear more balanced. A recent Medián survey suggests that Tisza Party still leads nationally, but by only five percentage points over Fidesz. The same poll reports a rise in optimism about the country’s future and an increase in support for the current government.
Nevertheless, in Budapest the message from the latest 21 Research Centre poll is unequivocal: the Tisza Party has become the city’s strongest political force, reshaping the competition ahead of the next elections.
Sure, with whom? 😆😂
“Tisza Party has a huge lead in the capital…”
No surprise here.
Everywhere in my country the big cities are filled full of those people who would rather be anything than what they are.
And what would you know : The Western Elite loves that.
Hell, they’ve worked hard to make it that way.
Ahhh … The Western Elites! Follow the Pied Piper.
You are advocating the Russian model, right? The informal “contract social” whereby citizens refrain from political dissent and let the Kremlin dominate politics, in return for which the government delivers stability, economic growth, and social order?
Well. Our Politicians are not delivering on some key metrics, and, fortunately in a democracy, we can point this out and hold them to account with our vote. All of our Politicians excuses, despite almost full control due to Rule by Decree from C19 on, notwithstanding.
The title and the article is totally misleading.
It’s not a surprise, and there is no shift.
The only thing, that happened is, the the foreign capital, which tries to regime-chage the Hungarian leadership for more then a decade now, are scraping the barrel so much, that they had to choose a figurehead, who is a traitor to the ruling party, woman abuser and criminal, with no message, aim or goal other then:”them bad. Me utopia”.
The people behind the “opposition” are still the same. The voters are the same. Their methods are the same, and the results will be the same.
Literally nothing changed in the last 10 years in the so called “Hungarian opposition”.
Actually, since 2010 (well – 2011 – when our Politicians changed our Constitution), a lot has changed. The Politicians families, friends, and toadies are all doing über well. For all the calling out of “Corruption!” – we are one of the worst in the European Union. Thank heavens for Croatia and Romania…
“God, good luck, and Viktor Orbán”
Lőrinc Mészáros (and, yes – he is richer than Ronaldo – only in Hungary, Land of Opportunity)