Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) allegedly considered plans to influence elections in Hungary, including staging an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Viktor Orban in order to strengthen support for him, according to an internal document obtained by European security services, The Washington Post (WP) reported today.
Ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections in April, a unit of Russia’s SVR last month expressed concern over declining support for Orban.
In an internal SVR report, operatives proposed drastic measures under the codename “turning point,” including the possibility of “staging an assassination attempt on Viktor Orban” in order to “fundamentally change the paradigm of the election campaign,” WP states.
Such an incident would shift the campaign’s focus from socio-economic issues to emotional themes such as national security and the stability of the political system, it adds.
Polls show that Orban is trailing opposition Tisa party leader Peter Magyar, a former member of his Fidesz party.
According to European security sources, Russian support for Orban also includes social media campaigns portraying him as the sole defender of Hungary’s sovereignty.
Certain narratives have reportedly been spread through Russian diplomats in Budapest, who are said to have cooperated with pro-government media.
The SVR document also proposes a strategy for Orban to present his rule as a guarantor of peace and stability, while his opponent would be portrayed as a “puppet of Brussels,” WP reports.
At the same time, there are indications that Russian operatives have participated in campaigns to discredit opposition candidates, including the spread of disinformation and manipulated content.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegations as disinformation, while the SVR did not comment on the document.
The election race in Hungary is considered highly uncertain, with growing fears that the results could be contested.
In addition to Russia, the United States is also showing interest in political developments in Hungary.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest last month, telling Orban that “his success is the success of the United States,” while a visit by Vice President J.D. Vance is also expected.
Meanwhile, Orban and his party are increasingly trying to shift public focus from economic problems to external security threats.
Tensions have also risen in relations with Ukraine, with mutual accusations and diplomatic measures.
The Hungarian government has even announced the deployment of the military to protect energy infrastructure, further raising tensions in Budapest.
Parliamentary elections in Hungary will be held on Sunday, April 12, with incumbent Prime Minister Orban and opposition leader Magyar as the main contenders.
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Source: Telegraf,Foto: EPA-EFE / Jim Lo Scalzo