Hungarian Elections Simulation 2026
We brought together election experts, lawyers, journalists and civil society representatives for a nine-hour, non-partisan scenario-planning exercise to prepare for the most challenging potential post-election scenarios ahead of the most consequential elections of our generation. It was the first exercise of its kind in Hungary initiated by civil society.
In this podcast, the organisers take listeners behind the scenes of the simulation, reflect on its key lessons, and discuss why democratic innovation initiatives like this may prove valuable not only in Hungary, but in other countries facing periods of political uncertainty and democratic transition.
Moderator: Zsuzsa Balázs – journalist, founder of @Szubkontra, and co-author of the book Orbán Viktor's Affairs with Women.
Guests: Ádám Sanyó – Chief Designer and Moderator of the simulation; data analyst, election expert, and editor of Taktikaiszavazas.hu.
Melani Barlai – Co-organiser of the Simulation, Co-founder of Unhack Democracy, and political scientist at Andrássy University Budapest.
Zsófia Banuta – Co-organiser of the Simulation and Co-founder of Unhack Democracy. A special thanks to Andor Kelenhegyi the game's moderator and co-designer as well as Péter Gönci, who helped us with the strategic thinking.
A special thanks to Andor Kelenhegyi the game's moderator and co-designer as well as Péter Gönci, who helped us with the strategic thinking.
Read Zsofia Banuta’s blog posts on Substack about the game
