Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar has sharply condemned an election campaign video released by the ruling Fidesz party, featuring a scene that portrays a young girl sobbing beside a window while alternating scenes depict her father being executed in a war context. This controversial video has drawn intense criticism for its insensitivity and manipulation of emotions ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's party is utilizing this dramatic narrative as part of their campaign strategy, framing the election as a choice between 'war and peace'.

Orban, who has been in power since 2010, faces a significant challenge for the first time in sixteen years as he competes against the center-right Tisza party, which claims to desire peace and has vowed not to send weapons or troops to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. The Fidesz campaign is leveraging heightened tensions around the Ukraine war to galvanize support among voters, suggesting that the Tisza party, influenced by the European Union, would drag Hungary into the conflict.

Magyar described the video as "disgusting, inexcusable, and profoundly outrageous," highlighting the ethical implications of using such emotionally charged imagery as a campaigning tool. The backlash against the video reflects broader concerns about political rhetoric and the manipulation of public sentiment, especially in a context where national security and foreign policy are at the forefront of political discourse. The outcome of these elections may have lasting implications on Hungary's role in European geopolitics and the country’s domestic political landscape.