"The Washington Post": Russian Intelligence Considered Staging an 'Assassination' of V. Orban
Russian intelligence reportedly considered staging an assassination attempt on Hungarian Prime Minister V. Orban due to declining support ahead of parliamentary elections.
According to reports, Russian operatives were reportedly concerned about decreasing support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the lead-up to parliamentary elections. An internal document suggested the implementation of a scenario that could 'essentially change the entire course of the election campaign.' This plan was described as a way to shift the campaign's perception from rational discussions about social and economic issues to an emotional response, likely driven by fear and chaos.
The document indicated that the proposed incident would draw greater attention to themes of security, stability, and the protection of Hungary's political system. Despite no actual attacks being recorded against Orban thus far, the existence of such a plan has raised eyebrows, highlighting Moscow's keen interest in the outcomes of Hungary's elections. Meanwhile, EU leaders have shown anger at Orban’s recent provocations but are maintaining composure as they await the electoral results in Hungary.
In the aftermath, Orban's spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs did not respond to journalists' inquiries about the matter, while Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims as 'disinformation.' This incident underscores the complex geopolitical landscape influencing Hungary, further illustrating how external forces might attempt to manipulate domestic politics in the country as election day approaches.