Hungary's election tests Orban's ties to Putin amid EU tensions

All eyes are on Hungary as voters head to the polls, a contest that has drawn intense scrutiny from Moscow. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the EU’s closest ally to Vladimir Putin, is seeking to extend his grip on power. But a strong challenge from the opposition, led by Peter Magyar's Tisza party, could shift the country’s trajectory—and the Kremlin’s foothold in Europe. Orban's leadership has provided a steady bridge for Putin’s influence within the EU, especially as other member states have take