If the polls are right, the writing is on the wall for Viktor Orbán when Hungarians cast their votes in what – regardless of the result – will be a moment of truth reverberating far beyond the small central European country.

Hungary’s prime minister – Europe’s longest serving democratically elected leader – is a major figure, a radical conservative and a nationalist, who has inspired Donald Trump and is seen as architect of Europe’s populist politics.

Whether admired as the defender of Christian civilisation or condemned as an illiberal barbarian at the gate, no one can ignore Orbán – or this election.

The vote is one of those momentous, European turning points that only democracy can bring and the world will be watching.

According to the opinion polls, which got it wrong last time, Orbán will lose to Péter Magyar, an upstart challenger who has quickly built a national opposition movement, Tisza, after breaking from the ruling Fidesz party two years ago. The power struggle to become the successor to Orbán’s legacy has begun. Follow the eleventh hour battles and results this weekend with Euractiv and Eddy Wax in Budapest.

Tech – Telegram is a blind spot for EU’s digital rules

The European Union’s flagship online governance rules kicked in a couple of years ago but one platform that’s managed to stay largely off enforcers’ radar when it comes to the Digital Services Act (DSA) is messaging app Telegram. While the DSA doesn’t regulate private communications Telegram’s social media-style public channels could fall in scope – except the company reports local usage under the EU’s threshold of 45 million monthly active users. The result: only the law’s general rules apply – and oversight of Telegram falls to a Belgian authority.

Energy, environment & transport – Swedish mining firms, steelmakers demand rollback of water protection rules

Agri – Commission draft fertiliser plan revives 2022 playbook

Health – Hungarian opposition puts failing health care system at heart of election

Defence – Trump’s attacks on NATO revive debate over ‘European pillar’ – what does it mean?

(bw, cs)