Meme sensation “Hide the Pain Harold” unexpectedly becomes Hungary’s leading people’s candidate for president

81-year-old András Arató — the man known around the world as the face of the Hide the Pain Harold meme («Harold hiding the pain») — has unexpectedly found himself at the centre of high politics. In an unofficial online poll to select candidates for president of Hungary, he received the most support among internet users, beating many well-known public figures.

The story became possible against the backdrop of sweeping political changes in the country. After the Tisza party’s victory in the parliamentary elections, Viktor Orbán’s 16-year era came to an end. The new prime minister, Péter Magyar, promised to make the government more open and invited citizens to nominate worthy candidates for the position of head of state themselves. Although no official public voting mechanism exists, the discussion quickly moved to social media, where dozens of initiatives, polls and open debates appeared.

The most popular name was András Arató himself — a former electrical engineer who, entirely by chance, became one of the most recognisable people on the internet. In the early 2010s, he agreed to pose for a stock photo shoot, and some time later his photographs spread across the web. Users decided that his strained smile looked as if it were hiding inner suffering, and turned the images into the cult meme “Hide the Pain Harold”. Arató later not only chose not to fight his internet fame, but also turned it into a career by taking part in advertising campaigns, interviews and public events.

In addition to Arató, Hungarians actively nominated other famous compatriots. The favourites included Nobel Prize winner Katalin Karikó, Rubik’s Cube creator Ernő Rubik, as well as other prominent figures from science, culture and sport. This shows that a significant part of society would like to see at the head of state not a professional politician, but a person with an impeccable reputation and public authority.

Despite the impressive results of the online polls, “Harold’s” chances of becoming president remain largely symbolic for now. Under Hungarian law, the president is elected by parliament, not directly by the public. The ruling party has a constitutional majority, so the final decision will be made by lawmakers and is expected by 19 August. At the same time, the prime minister has already faced criticism after announcing his support for another candidate too hastily — the famous chess player Judit Polgár, who later declined the offer. The authorities were then forced to return to the idea of a broader public discussion.

The story of “Harold” has become a striking example of how internet culture is increasingly influencing real-world politics. A meme that for years symbolised hidden distress and office routine has unexpectedly become the image of a person whom thousands of Hungarians are ready to see in the country’s highest office. Even if András Arató never takes the presidential seat, his unexpected popularity has already become one of the year’s most unusual political phenomena.