Hungarian voters increasingly label Orbán system a ‘mafia state’

A recent Medián public opinion poll indicates a significant shift in how Hungarian voters perceive the government of Viktor Orbán. According to the survey, 53 percent of respondents described the Orbán system as a ‘mafia state’, a notable increase from 34 percent in 2023.

Approximately 75 percent of the voting-age population believes that financial abuses were characteristic of the government, with 60 percent describing these abuses as ‘very large’ and another 15 percent as ‘large’. Furthermore, 85 percent of respondents do not rule out the possibility that highly successful entrepreneurs rising during the National Cooperation System (NER) era are actually proxies for Viktor Orbán.

The poll highlights demographic divides: respondents under 30 and those with higher education levels expressed more critical views, while those over 65 and individuals with primary education were less likely to hold negative opinions. Political affiliation also remains a strong factor in these perceptions.