Hungarian Election: Malta’s Stake in Orbán’s Fate

Malta’s Hungarian Connection: Record Turnout as Orban’s Rule Hangs in Balance

In the heart of Malta, at the Hungarian Embassy in Floriana, a small crowd gathered around a TV screen last Sunday. They weren’t there for the usual political briefings or cultural events. They were there to watch history unfold, 1,700 kilometers away in Hungary. The embassy, a grand 19th-century building on Old Bakery Street, was one of many such hubs worldwide where Hungarians abroad cast their votes. This wasn’t just any election; it was a referendum on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s decade-long rule.

Orbán’s Malta Ties and the Election Buzz

Malta’s Hungarian community, numbering around 5,000, has long been engaged in their homeland’s politics. Many have personal ties to Hungary, with some maintaining dual citizenship. The election buzz was palpable in Malta’s Hungarian cultural centers and local cafes. “We’re all glued to the news,” said András, a Malta-based Hungarian expat. “This election could change everything back home.”

Orbán’s Malta ties run deep. In 2015, he praised Malta’s migration policies, saying, “We can learn a lot from Malta.” His government has also invested in Maltese real estate, with Hungarian companies buying properties in areas like Sliema and St. Julian’s. The election outcome could impact these investments and Malta-Hungary relations.

Record Turnout and the Fight Against Orbán

The election saw a record turnout, with over 70% of eligible voters casting their ballots. Opposition parties, united under the ‘United for Hungary’ alliance, hoped to unseat Orbán after a decade of controversial policies. They accused him of eroding democratic norms, cracking down on press freedom, and cozying up to authoritarian regimes.

In Malta, opposition to Orbán was evident. “We’ve seen what Orbán’s done to Hungary,” said another expat, Éva. “We don’t want that here. We want a Malta that’s open, democratic, and progressive.” Malta, often praised for its liberal policies and LGBTQ+ rights, stands in stark contrast to Orbán’s Hungary, which has rolled back LGBTQ+ rights and introduced ‘illiberal democracy’ policies.

The election results were close, with Orbán’s Fidesz party winning the most votes but failing to secure a two-thirds majority needed to change the constitution. The opposition celebrated, claiming victory in the capital, Budapest, and other major cities. However, with votes still being counted, the final outcome remained uncertain.

Back in Malta, the Hungarian community watched and waited. “We’re hopeful,” said András. “But we know this is just the beginning. The fight against Orbán’s policies will continue.”

: Malta-Hungary Relations and Democracy

The election results, whatever they may be, will shape Hungary’s future and, by extension, Malta-Hungary relations. Malta, with its strong democratic institutions and liberal values, can serve as a beacon for Hungary. As Éva put it, “We need to stand up for democracy, not just here, but everywhere. That’s what makes us Maltese, and that’s what makes us European.”

As the sun set over Floriana, the crowd at the embassy dispersed, their eyes fixed on their homeland’s future. The fight for democracy, they knew, was far from over. But they were ready. After all, they were Maltese. And they were Hungarian. And they were united.