While Hungary has always supported its minority population in neighbouring countries, experts say that under the rule of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the country has significantly increased its presence in the Balkans.
Hungary’s leader is increasingly present in local politics, media, even sports, especially football, known to be one of Orban’s favourite hobbies.
This influence takes different forms in different parts of the Balkans, however.
Some Balkan leaders look to Orban as a role model for their own authoritarian and nationalist regimes.
