Zbigniew Ziobro asserted that Hungarian voters recognize the consequences of a change in power to pro-EU Donald Tusk and that Orbán will safeguard Polish interests.
Ziobro on the Hungarian Elections
Zbigniew Ziobro stated on Saturday, April 11th, that he believes Hungarian voters, aware of the impact of a change in power to pro-EU Donald Tusk in Poland, will not be swayed. He referenced how quickly Poles felt the “EU specifics” in their pockets.
Ziobro also expressed confidence in the victory of “reason and love for one’s country, not the EU mirage.”
High Stakes in Hungary
According to Ziobro, the stakes in the Hungarian elections are “higher than ever” in the history of the EU. He believes that if Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, takes power, Brussels will have a clear path to transforming the EU into a centralized state, a goal of left-liberal elites.
Orbán has announced that if he wins the elections, he will block all plans that pose a threat, also to Poles, Ziobro added.
EU Interference and Orbán’s Veto
Ziobro claims some EU countries are supporting “the EU’s pet,” Magyar, because they know the Hungarian Prime Minister’s veto is the only obstacle to the EU’s plans. He asserts Brussels fears and fiercely attacks Orbán, accusing him of supporting Putin, but that Orbán is simply protecting Hungary’s interests.
Hungary’s Energy Dependence on Russia
Ziobro explained that if Russia were to cut off energy supplies to Hungary, its economy would become a “dark and cold desert” for several years, with reconstruction costing “tens of billions of euros.” He stated Orbán believes Hungary has no choice but to maintain relations with Russia, considering it a matter of national interest.
International Right-Wing Support for Orbán
Regarding the visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to Budapest, Ziobro believes the American administration appreciates Orbán’s commitment to defending traditional values, opposing immigration, and resisting the gradual dismantling of national states in Europe.
PiS Representatives Monitoring Elections
According to PAP, representatives associated with Ziobro’s faction, including Patryk Jaki, Mariusz Gosek, and Jacek Ozdoba, will be in Budapest on Sunday to observe the election process. Earlier, Michał Wójcik, Maria Kurowska, and Jan Kanthak, also linked to the former Suwerenna Polska, visited Budapest and met with Ziobro.
Polling Data and the Rise of Tisza
Parliamentary elections in Hungary are scheduled for Sunday, April 12th. Recent independent polls show Tisza with support ranging from 49 to 58 percent among decided voters, while support for Orbán’s Fidesz fluctuates between 35 and 38 percent. Opinion polls also indicate growing support for the opposition and declining popularity of the ruling party.
Ziobro’s Asylum and Legal Issues
In late November, the Minister of Justice, Waldemar Żurek, informed the Speaker of the Sejm about charges against Ziobro related to his tenure as Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General from 2015-2023. Investigators accuse him of leading an organized crime group and abusing his position for criminal activities.
Ziobro is alleged to have committed 26 crimes, including issuing illegal orders to subordinates to secure funding from the Justice Fund for selected entities and interfering with tender processes.
Ziobro currently has political asylum and international protection from Hungary, which recognized the risk of political persecution. He has stated he will remain abroad until “real guarantees of the rule of law” are restored in Poland.
