AI-Generated Videos Shape Hungarian Election Campaign Dynamics

Sun Apr 05 2026 20:14:40 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

As Hungary prepares for its elections, AI-generated videos are becoming a key part of the political landscape, raising ethical questions about disinformation and authenticity.

In the lead-up to elections in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party has faced allegations of mounting disinformation campaigns, particularly through AI-generated videos. One controversial clip depicts a fictitious execution of a Hungarian soldier, aimed at discrediting Orbán's political rival, Péter Magyar. While the use of AI technology is unprecedented in this context, it highlights the ongoing battle for influence amid escalating political tensions regarding the war in Ukraine. Opinion polls indicate Magyar's Tisza party is gaining traction despite Fidesz's aggressive media strategy.

Warning: This piece refers to scenes of violence from the start

When a video went viral appearing to show a Hungarian soldier's execution, its disturbing nature came as a shock to anyone who saw it. Ahead of pivotal Hungarian elections on Sunday 12 April, the AI-generated, fake clip was posted on the social media accounts of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party in February.

It tells the story of a young girl at a window yearning for her father's return home from war, and then the video cuts to him - blindfolded, bound by the hands, and then shot by his captors.

The video targeted Orbán's election rival, Péter Magyar, who could unseat him after 16 years in office. The Fidesz campaign has made unsubstantiated claims about the war in Ukraine and Magyar's intentions, at times using AI-generated videos like this, even though it makes clear the video is fake.

The video claims, The war is really horrible, and asserts that Péter Magyar does not want the public to see its devastating realities. Additionally, Fidesz alleges that Magyar will bring the war to Hungary, manipulating fears to rally support for Orbán.

Such narratives have been widely rejected by Magyar and his party. In its manifesto, Tisza pledges no troop deployments to Ukraine and no plans for conscription. We asked Fidesz whether it had made the AI execution video and why it had posted it, but the party has not responded.

In a recent interview, Fidesz-KNDP communications director, Támas Menczer, framed Magyar's rise as a national security risk, suggesting a Tisza win could lead to dead Hungarian soldiers.

Magyar condemned the video as heartless manipulation, and media analysts noted this unprecedented use of generative AI in campaigns. Currently, polls show Magyar leading, despite Fidesz's aggressive tactics, highlighting a shift in voter sentiment.

Research indicates younger voters are increasingly receptive to Tisza's messaging, often contrasting it with Fidesz's persistent anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. Should Fidesz win, experts predict continued disinformation tactics beyond the elections, while a Tisza victory could lead to significant changes in Hungary's political communication landscape.