– as revealed by Závecz Research’s new public opinion poll, conducted on 24.hu’s behalf.
One-third of respondents (32 per cent) are more lenient when it comes to financial, economic, and humanitarian support, while 16 per cent of the population would not refrain from sending weaponry and other military supplies to Ukraine. In light of this, those in favour of helping Hungary’s eastern neighbour form a relative majority, albeit only by a few percentage points (4 per cent did not reply to the question).
A more detailed look at the data reveals that 54 per cent of women would be in favour of complete non-involvement, as opposed to only 38 per cent of men. Continuing the trend, a greater proportion of men (26 per cent) than women (10 per cent) would be willing to provide weaponry to the country. In terms of age, it is the younger and middle-aged generations that are the most likely to oppose all forms of support (47 and 51 per cent, respectively). Among respondents aged over 60, there are more who would be willing to send help of some kind: in this age group, only 41 per cent would completely deny assistance to Ukraine.
The share of respondents stating that no assistance should be provided to Ukraine is 40 per cent in Budapest, 47 per cent in cities, and 49 per cent in smaller settlements.
Regarding education, the poll reveals that:
- Among those with primary education, the share of those favouring complete non-involvement is 54 per cent,
- When it comes to those with secondary education, this proportion is 43 per cent,
- While the same figure is only 34 per cent among those with tertiary education, and 26 per cent of the country’s most educated would support Ukraine with weapons as well.
The survey shows a stark contrast in opinions between supporters of the government and opposition-aligned voters.
This is particularly interesting because while the Orbán administration indeed states that Hungary should stay out of the war, it also regularly emphasises the importance of humanitarian aid. Moreover, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also voted in favour of the 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine.
A relative majority (44 per cent) of Péter Magyar’s newly-founded Tisza Party voters would support financial and humanitarian aid from the EU, while one in four Tisza supporters would also not reject sending weapons, either. However, 29 per cent oppose any form of assistance.
Among the voters of the DK–MSZP–Párbeszéd left-wing alliance, only 8 per cent are completely opposed to assistance, nearly half (48 per cent) support non-military aid, and 37 per cent are in favour of assistance including the provision of military supplies.
