FOCUS ON HUNGARY

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The Heinrich Böll Foundation is compiling a dossier containing articles on the situation in Hungary since the right-wing government came to power in April 2010.

The arguments and opinions presented in the dossier provide an acute, sometimes trenchant critique of the current government and its policies. Democracy is a never-finished task, and we see our role in supporting the democratic voices in Hungary and raising public attention in Europe with regard to critical developments in our common political space.

Burtejin Zorigt, Editor of the dossier (burtejin.zorigt@cz.boell.org)

Latest articles
Photo from Budapest Pride 2021, people at the Green - Liberty bridge

Legislative bullying of protesters - The ban on Pride in Hungary, 2025

After the Prime Minister's announcement banning the 2025 Pride parade, MPs of the governing majority swiftly passed constitutional amendments. These new laws ban assemblies that might breach the "LGBTQI Propaganda" Law, impose fines on participants, and allow police to use facial recognition technology to identify them. This amendment, set to take effect on 15 April 2025, violates the rights of LGBTQI people and their supporters, while also infringing on the privacy of all citizens by enabling mass surveillance and stoking fear among those who oppose the government's policies.
By Szabolcs Hegyi
Viktor Orban, Donald Trump

Orbán Took a Big Risk and Won

Analysis
For Hungary’s prime minister, who has backed Donald Trump for years, a victory in the U.S. presidential election means more than a symbolic win – it could also deliver concrete advantages. In the short term, such a result would bolster Viktor Orbán’s position both internationally and domestically. However, differences in political priorities and in economic interests in particular could create friction between Washington and Budapest in the medium to long term. Given Trump’s unpredictability, there is no guarantee that Orbán’s promises – such as swift peace in Ukraine and an economic boom – will come to pass. 
By Political Capital
More
Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU logo

The EU’s free rider at the steering wheel: Orbán in charge of the EU’s rotating presidency

Commentary
Orbán aims to make a big impact during Hungary's six-month EU presidency, starting with a controversial visit to Moscow. Shortly after, his party, Fidesz, joined the far-right Patriots alliance in the European Parliament—a long-time goal for Orbán, despite its likely marginal influence. Betting on Trump's re-election, Orbán still ensured a handshake with Biden at the NATO summit. Meanwhile, EU leaders are increasingly sidelining him during his presidency.
By Kata Moravecz and György Folk
Photo of Werner J. Patzelt, Research Director of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) Brussels

Whitewashing Orbán’s Image and Ideas in Brussels

Commentary
Already within its first few weeks, Hungary’s Council presidency has managed to outrage many international commentators. Still, there are indications that Viktor Orbán’s six-month gig in Brussels aims to be first and foremost a PR stunt to sell the Hungarian prime minister and his ideas to the European public. In Europe, this mission is supported by the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Hungary’s principal “talent promotion institution”. 
By Konrad Bleyer-Simon
Felcsut, Hungary. 05.24.2024. Peter Magyar, a popular opposition politician of celebrity status meeting the press at the site of a soccer arena and miniature train station in Viktor Orban's village

A newcomer against the Orbán regime

Analysis
The Hungarian political scene has never been more turbulent in the past 14 years. Since the start of the clemency scandal in early February, Fidesz has been unable to control the political narrative for months, despite its dominant position in power. The campaign leading up to the local and the European Parliament (EP) elections has been dominated by a new challenger, Péter Magyar, and his Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza) so far, although in recent weeks Fidesz has found its footing again.
By Róbert László and Richárd Demény
All dossier articles
Publications
Study on the state of the populist radical right and Hungarian influence building

Illiberal advance, but no breakthrough – yet?

Study
Political Capital's study on the state of the populist radical right and Hungarian influence building, in cooperation with the Heinrich-Böll Foundation, aims to take stock of the "super election year" of 2024: how it has reshaped the scene for illiberal populist actors, and what it has brought to the Orbán regime in its efforts to build international influence and promote itself as a model of populism on the international stage.
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The 'Eurosceptic Internationale' at the Gates of Brussels?

The 'Eurosceptic Internationale' at the Gates of Brussels?

Study
Political Capital Institute’s latest study, in cooperation with the Heinrich-Böll Foundation, aimed to give a snapshot of the state of populist radical parties and their cooperation and the Hungarian government’s role in it, before the campaign starts for the 2024 European Parliamentary elections.
pdf

Political integration of Hungarian students, 2019

After a four-year absence, the Active Youth (Aktív Fiatalok) Research Group has returned with a new survey about the political attitudes of higher education students in Hungary. The significance of this year’s findings relies on the fact that the political views of the majority of students sampled in this most recent survey – including some born as recently as 2000 – were formed during consecutive terms of prime minister Viktor Orbán and his government, considered by many political scientists and commentators to be a hybrid regime.
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