Sixty four per cent of Hungarians consider the Russian invasion of Ukraine an act of aggression but the governing party’s voters are split on the issue, a recent survey by the Publicus Institute has shown, Telex reported.
According to the poll, conducted on behalf of Népszava between 7-11 March on a national representative sample, 44% of Fidesz voters consider the invasion of Hungary’s eastern neighbour to be clear Russian aggression, while 25% blame the Ukrainians. A further third do not have an opinion.
In contrast, more than 90% condemn the Russian attack in the opposition camp.
The two main sides are divided on the outcome of the war. Some 42% of Fidesz voters expect the Russians to quickly take control of Ukraine, while only 22% think a long and bloody war is more likely. Almost half of opposition voters see the latter scenario as realistic, with only 16% of them saying that the Russians could win quickly.
Asked whether the war could spread to Hungary, only 14% of all respondents said yes.
Unsurprisingly, the most significant difference between pro and anti-government voters was their assessment of the Orbán government’s relationship with Russia.
While 81% of Fidesz voters said there was no need for the prime minister to condemn Russia more strongly than he currently does, 90% of opposition voters said he should. Almost half of opposition voters have seen their government’s opinion deteriorate, in contrast with a fifth of Fidesz voters whose opinion improved.