European Security — 2026-03-31

Leaked Szijjártó-Lavrov Calls Deepen Hungary's Isolation Weeks Before April 12 Election

European leaders reacted sharply to leaked recordings of Hungary's FM Szijjártó coordinating with Lavrov on sanctions relief, compounding diplomatic fallout from earlier Washington Post reports of sensitive EU council leaks to Moscow. The revelations land 12 days before Hungary's parliamentary election, where polls show opposition leader Peter Magyar's Tisza party at 50% versus Orbán's Fidesz at 38%. A Russian proposal to stage an assassination attempt to boost Orbán was also reported.

Analysis
The recording's release 12 days before Hungary's election appears timed for maximum domestic impact. Combined with the WaPo revelation that Szijjártó leaked EU council deliberations, Budapest's position within EU decision-making structures may become untenable regardless of the election outcome. Orbán's Fidesz trailing at 38% to Magyar's 50% suggests the leak may accelerate an already unfavorable trajectory.

2 sources

MEPs rally behind Magyar in Hungarian elections despite ideological divides - Euronews
How an election loss by Hungary's Orban would hit MAGA - Washington Times