Orbán turns food price fears into election weapon

As Hungary heads into a high-stakes election on Sunday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is turning food prices into a central campaign weapon, casting his government’s price controls as a shield for households while warning voters they could disappear under the opposition.

While the campaign has been marred by high geopolitical tensions, allegations of corruption and even treachery, concerns over rising food prices remain front and centre for voters.

As cost-of-living worries grow amid the conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine, Orbán’s government is warning voters that national controls on food and fuel prices could be on the chopping block if the opposition Tisza party (EPP) takes power.

The economy ministry said its efforts to curb bills are lifting purchasing power, singling out controversial caps on supermarket margins.

The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that food prices decreased by 3.2% compared to the same period last…