Von der Leyen reappears in Orbán Cabinet’s negative poster campaign – Zelensky and Weber also targeted

Once again, Ursula von der Leyen features in the Orbán government’s national poster campaign, with Volodymyr Zelensky and Manfred Weber also in the crosshairs.

It appears that the Orbán government is once more attacking the very community to which it belongs. Yet again, the EU leader has become the face of a hate campaign.

A familiar campaign strategy returns

A few years ago, the Hungarian government placed the face of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on a national poster as a floating symbol, provoking significant backlash. Now, they are reusing this form of political messaging, signalling a continued internal assault on EU institutions.

Millions of euros in Hungarian taxpayer money will be spent so that locals and foreign visitors alike, travelling Hungary’s roads, can see – day after day – large posters displaying a red “X” over:

• the stern-faced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky,
• the smugly smiling Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and
• the devilishly grinning Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party and formerly of the Fidesz-aligned EP group.

EU sentiment vs. government messaging

Fidesz and the government have conducted polls well in advance, which show that the majority of Hungarians – largely due to a lack of detailed information – do not support Ukraine’s accession to the EU. The government’s communication strategy is building its next thematic campaign around this sentiment.

It is worth noting, however, that the majority of Hungarians support EU membership overall, and a significant majority would also back the introduction of the euro. Nevertheless, Orbán’s campaign remains silent on these points, instead persisting with the vulnerable Hungarian forint.

Details: Should Hungary leave the EU? Orbán’s attacks have this effect on Hungarians, latest poll