PACE observers question democracy in Hungary ahead of elections

A delegation of observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has voiced serious concerns about the political environment in Hungary ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12, European Pravda reports.

The cross-party PACE delegation visited Budapest on 30-31 March, meeting with representatives of the authorities, election administration, political parties, civil society, media, and the diplomatic corps. While the delegation acknowledged that the electoral process appears technically well-prepared, it highlighted significant issues affecting the broader democratic context.

“After our meetings in Budapest, one question cannot be avoided: is Hungary still a competitive democracy, or a state captured by one party? Voters must decide Hungary's future – not fear campaigns, not smear operations, not unequal rules and not foreign manipulation,” said delegation head Pablo Hispán.

The delegation expressed concern over a “toxic climate” in which the boundaries between the state and the ruling party are blurred, with widespread use of state resources to favor one party, a distorted information environment, propaganda, and the risk of foreign interference. Reports of hostility toward independent civil society organizations were also cited.

Particular alarm was raised about aggressive and misleading campaign messaging, including persistent anti-Ukrainian and anti-European rhetoric, and crude “war or peace” narratives designed to stigmatize opponents rather than provide voters with clear, factual information.

The delegation also highlighted potential threats to electoral integrity, including a prolonged state of emergency, limited legal remedies, misuse of state resources, and allegations of voter bribery and intimidation. Concerns were further raised regarding the independence of the judiciary handling electoral disputes and the uneven media coverage of political parties, which limits access to pluralistic and independent information.

Another major issue identified was the shrinking space for independent journalism, oversight, and accountability, which the delegation noted as essential to a healthy democratic process.

The PACE observers emphasized that these structural and political challenges could undermine voters’ ability to make an informed choice in the upcoming elections, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and international scrutiny.

By Vafa Guliyeva