Hungary's opposition leader Péter Magyar is facing a barrage of false claims online, courtesy of a pro-Kremlin disinformation network.
The claims, which have been linked to Storm-1516, a Russian disinformation operation, assert that Magyar insulted US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally. According to the fabricated article, Magyar called Trump a "senile grandpa" and vowed to undo key agreements made with the US. The article also claims that Magyar promised to undo key agreements made with the US, should he win parliamentary elections in Hungary scheduled for 12 April.
Researchers have found that the article, which utilised a real byline and appeared on a fake Euronews website, is part of a wider campaign to discredit Magyar. The website has since been taken down, but a video report that repeats the claim using Euronews' branding is still circulating on social media.
The Cube, Euronews' fact-checking team, has found examples of this clip circulating since Monday evening, some with thousands of views. The videos were posted by accounts with similar captions in quick succession, implying they are part of a coordinated campaign. The accounts that posted the clip were largely anonymised, with X's location tool showing they are based in the US and Africa.
Hungary's upcoming parliamentary elections will see Magyar's Tisza Party pitted against current Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar has accused Hungary's secret service of targeting his party's campaign systems just weeks before the election date in a hostile election campaign in which polls suggest his party is ahead.
The Hungarian government has not commented on the allegations, but the incident highlights the growing concern over disinformation campaigns during election periods. As the election date draws near, it remains to be seen how Magyar's party will respond to these baseless claims.
The brazen attempt to discredit Hungary's opposition leader, Péter Magyar, is a clear indication of Russia's desperation to influence the outcome of the parliamentary elections. The use of disinformation campaigns to further the interests of the Russian government is a tactic that has been used repeatedly in various countries, including the US and Germany. As the election date draws near, it is essential for the Hungarian government to take concrete steps to protect its citizens from the spread of false information.
