Hungary’s Political Divide Deepens

Commemorations Turn Political

On Thursday, Hungary marked the 69th anniversary of the failed 1956 Hungarian revolution against Communist rule and Soviet dominance. Traditionally a day of solemn remembrance, this year it was marked by political division as pro-government and anti-government forces took to the streets ahead of the (probable) April 2026 general election. Experts say the commemorations mark the unofficial start of the election campaign.

PM Viktor Orban and his supporters held a “Peace Procession” to highlight his government’s efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine and to “show the world that the choice of Budapest was not by accident… because Hungary is the island of peace and Hungarians are on the side of peace.” Disappointed by Donald Trump’s decision to call off the Budapest summit with Vladimir Putin, thousands of Orban’s supporters gathered in central Budapest to declare their opposition to involvement in the war in neighboring Ukraine – something Orban accuses his main election rival, Peter Magyar, of wanting to do, in league with the EU.

“This is why they want to squeeze Ukraine into the EU at any price… to bring war into Europe, and take EU money to Ukraine,” Orban told the rally in front of parliament, according to Reuters. Later that afternoon, Magyar held an anti-government counter-rally in Budapest, accusing Orban of rebuilding the one-party state he helped bring down in 1989. “The politician who once demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops is now the Kremlin’s most loyal ally,” Magyar told supporters, according to RFE. Politico’s poll shows Magyar’s Tisza party leading with 45 per cent of voting intentions compared to Orban’s Fidesz with 41 per cent.

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Budapest Summit Shelved

Hungary blamed the European “pro-war political elite and their media” for the shelved plans for a Trump-Putin meet in Budapest. “From the moment the Peace Summit was announced, it was obvious many would do everything possible to stop it,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto posted on X. The summit’s cancellation may stem from a difficult call between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where Lavrov reiterated Russia’s maximalist demands for a peace agreement before any ceasefire. Orban insisted on Wednesday that preparations for the summit continue, though the date remains uncertain. “When the time comes, we will hold it,” he wrote on Facebook.

Slovakia Sentences Fico’s Shooter

Terrorist Attack Verdict

A Slovak court sentenced Juraj Cintula, a 72-year-old retired man, to 21 years in prison for a terrorist attack on PM Robert Fico in May 2024. The Specialised Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica ruled that Cintula’s shooting was politically motivated, aimed at destabilizing the government. Cintula shot Fico in Handlova, hitting him in the abdomen, thigh, and arm. The attack, captured on video, shocked Slovakia and sparked conspiracy theories. The court cited Cintula’s opposition to government policies and his online posts urging violence. The reduced sentence considered his age, clean record, and poor health. Cintula plans to appeal, calling the ruling unjust.

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New Election Law Proposal

Slovakia’s Smer party proposed a law criminalizing election campaign activities linked to a foreign power, punishable by up to one year in prison. Introduced by MP Tibor Gaspar, the measure raises concerns about restricting civil society. Critics argue it could intimidate non-partisan voter initiatives, like the I Want to Stay campaign, accused by Fico of being influenced by the UK. Opponents say existing laws already limit campaign violations, making the new measure disproportionate.

Czechia’s Coalition Talks and E-Scooter Ban

Government Formation Delays

Three weeks after Czechia’s parliamentary elections, coalition talks continue between ANO, SPD, and the Motorists. Andrej Babis left negotiations to his deputies Karel Havlicek and Alena Schillerova while on holiday. President Petr Pavel will appoint the next PM after the Chamber of Deputies opens on November 3. ANO is expected to hold nine seats in the cabinet, with four Motorists and three SPD members. Nominees like Filip Turek face scrutiny over past xenophobic and sexist comments, and protests erupted against Petr Macinka’s potential appointment to the Environment Ministry.

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Prague Bans E-Scooters

Prague will ban electric scooters from January 2026 to improve pedestrian safety and reduce street clutter. Zdenek Hrib, Prague’s deputy leader, announced the decision, citing high accident rates. New regulations also set rules for bike parking. Lime expressed disappointment, planning to expand its e-bike services. Prague follows Paris and Madrid in banning e-scooters.

Regional Tensions and Russian Sabotage

Arrests in Poland and Romania

Poland and Romania detained eight people suspected of Russian-linked sabotage. Poland arrested three for plotting to send exploding parcels to Ukraine via Nova Post, aiming to destabilize EU countries. Poland’s Internal Security Agency detained 55 people in recent months for acting on behalf of Russian intelligence. At least 110 Russian-linked sabotage incidents have occurred in Europe since 2022, with Poland and France most affected.

Pegasus Spyware Fallout

Prosecutors indicted former deputy justice minister Michal Wos for misusing 25 million zloty to purchase Pegasus spyware under the PiS-led government. The software allegedly spied on 578 opposition figures. The current Donald Tusk government is investigating the misuse via a parliamentary committee.

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This article is based on content provided by Balkan Insight