Orban scores crushing victory as Ukraine war solidifies support

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during the closing rally of his electoral campaign in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, April 1, 2022. REUTERS/Marton Monus

BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban scored a fourth consecutive landslide win in Sunday's election, as voters endorsed his ambition of a conservative, "illiberal" state and shrugged off concerns over Budapest's close ties with Moscow.

Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine had appeared to upend Orban's campaign in recent weeks, forcing him into awkward manouvering to explain decade-old cosy business relations with President Vladimir Putin.