More than half of Hungarians now believe Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is no longer fit to lead the country, according to new polling that signals growing political fatigue after more than a decade of his rule. Data published on January 29 by the Publicus Institute show that 55% of respondents consider Orbán incompetent or too exhausted to continue governing Hungary, a finding that highlights a broad-based erosion of confidence, as reflected in the survey results on Orbán’s declining support Publicus survey on Orbán’s leadership.
Erosion of support inside Fidesz ranks
Notably, dissatisfaction is no longer confined to opposition voters. Even among supporters of the ruling Fidesz, 4% of respondents said Orbán had exhausted himself politically. While modest in absolute terms, this figure is significant in a political camp traditionally marked by strong personal loyalty to the prime minister. Analysts see this as an early indicator that Orbán’s once-dominant authority within his own base is beginning to weaken.
Economic stagnation and political isolation
Orbán’s prolonged focus on centralising power has coincided with Hungary’s growing economic underperformance within the European Union. Critics argue that confrontations with Brussels, governance concerns and restrictions on independent media have reduced access to EU funding and discouraged foreign investment. As a result, Hungary has increasingly found itself isolated inside the bloc, amplifying domestic frustrations over living standards and long-term economic prospects.
Opposition momentum ahead of elections
The decline in support for Orbán has been accompanied by rising backing for the opposition Tisza Party, which has led recent polls by 10–12 percentage points and enjoys particularly strong support among younger voters. With parliamentary elections approaching, surveys point to a realistic possibility of a change in government, a scenario that could reopen debates on democratic reforms, anti-corruption measures and a reset in relations with the EU, as highlighted in coverage of the shifting political landscape opposition gains amid Orbán fatigue.
Signs of a weakening political system
Despite retaining significant administrative leverage, Orbán’s grip on power increasingly relies on institutional control rather than broad public enthusiasm. The Publicus findings suggest that a critical mass of voters is demanding political renewal after more than 15 years of largely uninterrupted rule. If this trend continues, Hungary could be entering a period of substantive political transition, with implications not only for domestic governance but also for the country’s position within the European Union.
