Hungary Calls Out Russian Ex‑Interpreter in Election Watch

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) has warned the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that a former interpreter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Daria Boyarskaya, should be removed from its election observation team in Hungary. The move comes ahead of a critical vote on April 12, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces his toughest challenge since 2010. Polls suggest the nationalist leader trails a centre‑right rival, and an Orban loss could shift Europe’s political balance by boosting far‑right influence. Boyarskaya, a senior adviser to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA), has duties that include preparing official visits and supporting election monitoring missions. She previously served in Russia’s Foreign Ministry. The HHC argues that her close ties to the Kremlin could undermine trust and confidentiality during Hungary’s electoral process.HHC co‑chair Marta Pardavi said the OSCE PA Secretary General, Roberto Montella, replied with confidence in Boyarskaya. Pardavi expressed disappointment, feeling that the letter did not fully address her concerns. Neither Montella nor an OSCE PA spokesperson has responded to further inquiries. Poland added Boyarskaya to its sanctions list in 2022, banning her entry. Polish officials warned that her support for Putin posed a serious risk of provoking incidents that could harm Poland’s international standing. The OSCE, headquartered in Vienna, brings together 57 countries from Europe, Central Asia and North America—including former Cold War adversaries—to prevent and monitor conflicts across the region.