Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has convened an emergency meeting of the National Defence Council after explosives were discovered near a gas pipeline transporting Russian gas to Hungary. This incident, found in a border area adjacent to Serbia, comes just days before critical elections where Orban's party is trailing in the polls.
Opposition leader Peter Magyar has accused Orban of panic-mongering and suggests the Prime Minister is influenced by Russian advisers. Security experts have warned of a possible false flag operation that could be used to deflect blame onto Ukraine.
Orban, a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has resisted European Union calls to end energy imports from Russia since the latter's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Recent discussions have raised concerns that the incident could be a staged operation designed to gain sympathy for Orban's Fidesz party, potentially allowing for the postponement or cancellation of the elections.
Serbian President Alexander Vucic informed Orban of the explosive discovery, which included two rucksacks filled with explosives and detonators, and noted the findings' devastating potential. Hungary relies on the TurkStream pipeline for a significant portion of its gas supply.
As the investigation continues, both Hungarian and Serbian authorities are delving into the implications of this incident. Balint Pasztor, an ally of Orban, suggested that the discovery could indicate a targeted attack aimed at destabilizing Orban's government.
With various political players accusing each other, the incident has intensified the existing tensions before Hungary's elections, which Orban has characterized as a battle against foreign interference and conspiracies to undermine his leadership.
