Introduction
Orbán re-elected as leader of Hungary's ruling party
On 18th November 2023, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was re-elected as the president of Hungary's ruling Fidesz party. This result did not come as a surprise, since he was the only candidate. Orbán previously served as Fidesz president from 1993 to 2000 and has led the party again since 2003.
On the occasion of his re-election, at the 30th Fidesz congress, Orbán reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Hungary’s sovereignty, vowing to resist efforts by “foreign states, organisations and Brussels” to sell out the country. In his speech, he mentioned his intention to reject “migrant invasion, gender propaganda, the mirages of war, Ukraine’s unprepared EU membership, the green ideologies […]”. He concluded by referring to a “new momentum of growth” for Hungary through higher incomes, more generous family support, and a better healthcare system.
Orbán claimed foreign powers were attempting to “buy” Hungary’s future government, warning that if they succeeded, the country would be overrun by migrants and “our grandchildren would be bonded slaves to George Soros”. He declared the new government a “ninja government”, and continued: “According to our plan, after deployment, we won't be the ones left on the ground, that will be the enemy, and we will return to base unscathed”.
EU funds unblocked following Commission’s positive assessment of Hungary's rule of law situation
On 13th December 2023, the European Commission adopted two decisions regarding Hungary’s rule of law situation, following up on various processes that were launched by the Commission and the Council in December 2022 due multiple concerns, particularly about judicial independence.
Concerning judicial independence, the Commission assessed that Hungary has taken the necessary steps to fulfil the horizontal enabling condition on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which requires Member States to establish effective mechanisms to implement their programmes in line with the Charter. As a result, previously blocked EU funding is now available, allowing Hungary to claim up to EUR 10.2 billion in reimbursements.
However, concerning breaches of the rule of law in areas such as public procurement, prosecutorial action, conflicts of interest, anti-corruption efforts, and public interest trusts, the Commission found that Hungary had not yet addressed these issues. Consequently, funds from three Cohesion Policy programmes, with a budget of EUR 6.3 billion, remained suspended.
In total, the European Commission unblocked EUR 10 billion for Hungary, but around 21 billion remains frozen. Hungary must implement further reforms related to human rights and academic freedoms to access the remaining funds. Regional Development Minister Tibor Navracsics welcomed the decision, calling it “a success for all 10 million Hungarians”. In contrast, leaders of the European People’s Party, Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe, and the Greens expressed concern in a letter, warning against releasing the funds due to doubts about Hungary's judicial reforms.
The Commission’s decision to unfreeze the funds has been met with criticism. With regards to the reform package for the judiciary, which among others changed the appointment process for the president of the Curia (Hungary’s supreme court), the court refused to name any details when asked by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee. Furthermore, a positive effect of the reforms could hardly be seen within six months, especially because the new process for the appointment of the Curia president will not be tested until 2029.
The timing of the Commission’s decision, coming one day before a crucial vote on an aid package and the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine—topics Orbán has strongly opposed—has raised suspicions. An assessment by six civil society organisations found that Hungary still has significant issues complying with the conditions for accessing European funds.
Hungary vetoes funding package for Ukraine at EU Summit
On 14th December 2023, EU leaders met in Brussels to boost their long-term support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. The summit was called to decide on a four-year, EUR 50 billion funding package for Kyiv and an agreement to begin formal EU membership talks for Ukraine and Moldova. EU leaders managed to agree to start the accession negotiations with Ukraine despite Orbán’s previously expressed opposition to the country’s EU membership. The consensus decision was only made possible because the Hungarian Prime Minister agreed to leave the negotiating room – an act considered a technical abstention.
However, the summit failed to agree on the package of financial aid for Kyiv due to firm opposition from Hungary. Orbán used his veto to block the financial package, which requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU leaders to be adopted, claiming that such a decision can wait until after the European Parliament elections in June 2024. He further justified the veto by claiming that the aid package would harm Hungary’s financial interests. As a result, EU leaders were forced to schedule another meeting for late January 2024 to address the issue.
On 21st December 2023, at a news conference recapping the results of the past year, Orbán reiterated that the European Union should not include financial aid for Ukraine in its budget over the next five years. He stated that Hungary opposed collective borrowing and incurring further debt.
During the same event, Orbán also argued that, given Ukraine's situation, EU membership would be unrealistic for many years and a strategic partnership between the country and the bloc would deliver more immediate results.
National consultation launched
On 17th November 2023, the Hungarian government announced the launch of a new national consultation via its Facebook page, with the questionnaire sent to all Hungarian households. In addition, members of the Fidesz party travelled across the country to promote the consultation.
The consultation includes eleven questions, each beginning with a statement about Brussels’ actions or plans. For example, one question reads: “Brussels wants to establish migrant ghettos in Hungary. Do you think we should prevent the establishment of migrant ghettos in Hungary, or should the migration plans from Brussels be accepted?”. Citizens can respond to the questions only with “yes” or “no.” Another question claims the EU wants Hungary to repeal a contentious law banning LGBTQI+ content for minors, accusing the EU of spreading “aggressive LGBTQI+ propaganda” targeting children.
The European Commission urged Hungarian citizens to use the Commission’s resources to learn about EU policies. A senior spokesperson expressed confidence that the Hungarian public can be well-informed about EU actions and policies.
Electoral law changes
On 12th December 2023, the Hungarian parliament passed legislation modifying election procedures for the Metropolitan Assembly, just six months ahead of the upcoming election. While the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union recognised some beneficial aspects of the new law, it warned that changing electoral rules so close to an election is unconstitutional. The organisation stressed that allowing such changes could give incumbents the opportunity to alter the rules in their favour.
Freedom of association
Hungarian minister outraged at NGOs
On 9th November 2023, during a diplomatic meeting in Guatemala City, Hungary’s foreign minister Péter Szijjártó, expressed his outrage at NGOs, claiming they have “no legitimacy” to speak on behalf of nations, as they are not elected by the people. He also blamed the international liberal mainstream for “trying to lord it over global politics by treating NGOs as representatives” of certain countries.
Addressing senior officials of Guatemala's foreign ministry, Szijjártó highlighted what he views as Hungary's current challenges, including “the liberal mainstream’s attacks on traditional values, illegal migration and war”.
Hungary passes “sovereignty” law raising rule of law concerns
On 21st November 2023, the ruling Fidesz party submitted a bill on the protection of national sovereignty to parliament, aimed at defending against “undue political interference” by foreign persons or groups. Particularly, the bill proposes the creation of a new office – the Office for the Defence of Sovereignty – tasked with investigating activities conducted by any organisation or person it deems or suspects poses a threat to Hungary’s sovereignty, including by forcing the disclosure of sensitive data such as client information and medical records.
The new legislation would punish those involved in foreign financing of parties or groups standing for election with up to three years in prison. However, due to its vague wording, it could also apply to media and civil society organisations accused of acting under the influence of Washington and/or Brussels. Moreover, besides independent NGOs and media outlets, even businesses, churches, trade unions, or municipalities could be future targets of the law. Another worrying aspect of the legislation is that the president of the proposed Office would be appointed by the President of the Republic after being nominated by the Prime Minister, raising concerns about politically motivated abuses of its authority. According to the director of strategy at the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Stefánia Kapronczay, the creation of such an authority will serve the government’s purpose to “limit participation in public life and the operation of the free press”.
The bill went even further than many critics had feared, by also seeking to ban Hungarian legal entities or associations from funding political parties or candidates, and forbidding anonymous donations to parties. For opposition parties already struggling financially this could be a lethal blow. The move is similar to ones taken in the past by other populists. The move mirrors tactics used by other populist governments, such as the Kremlin's 2006 laws that required organisations that receive foreign funding while engaging in “political activity” to register as “foreign agents”.
On 22nd November 2023, seven leading civil society groups issued a statement accusing Orbán of trying to “silence all critical voices” with this bill. They also added that the proposed legislation is not in line with Hungary’s constitutional and EU obligations. Human Rights Watch also warned that the bill would give a government-controlled body broad powers to target civil society and independent media seeking to hold the government accountable by deeming them a threat to “sovereignty” or “national security”. As a matter of fact, Fidesz made it clear in September that the law is intended to be used against “left-wing journalists,” “pseudo-NGOs” and “dollar politicians.”
Media organisations have raised alarms as well. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) mechanism alerted the European Union about the chilling impact that the proposed law will have on Hungary’s “embattled independent media community” and characterised the bill as “the latest prong of a decade-long campaign by the government of Prime Minister Victor Orbán to harass critics and suppress democratic checks and balances.”
On 25th November 2023, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, urged Hungary to abandon the proposal due to concerns over the invasive powers of the new Office, which could be weaponised “against anybody who may be considered an adversary due, for instance, to activities aimed at influencing democratic debate.” On 1st December 2023, more than 100 Hungarian NGOs issued a statement objecting to the planned sovereignty law. According to the signatories, the vague wording of the bill would allow the new agency to label any public expression as serving foreign interests.
Despite widespread criticism, Hungary's parliament passed the law in parliament on 12th December 2023 with 141 votes in favour and 50 against. The law, which will take effect on 1st February 2024, grants the new Office authority to pass information to other authorities and publish an annual “sovereignty report” with recommendations, though it cannot directly sanction NGOs.
On 13th December 2023, 10 media organisations issued a statement claiming that the law “does not serve the information security of our society; on the contrary, it is meant to directly undermine it with its threat to free media and democratic debate in general”.
At the end of December 2023, pro-government newspaper Magyar Nemzet reported that Orbán plans to appoint Tamás Lánczi as head of the new Office for Sovereignty Protection. Lánczi, a former deputy state secretary and a leading figure in government propaganda, has long promoted the narrative of an alleged Soros network and accused NGOs of plotting to overthrow the government. His
Freedom of peaceful assembly
HCLU appeals to Constitutional Court after Supreme Court upholds demonstration ban
On 24th November 2023, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) announced its decision to appeal to the Constitutional Court, challenging the Supreme Court of Hungary's ruling that upheld a police ban on any demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza victims. The police had prohibited a solidarity rally planned for 22nd November 2023, following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s public condemnation of pro-Palestinian protests worldwide, labelling them as “pro-terror.”
The HCLU had initially requested the Supreme Court to overturn the police decision, but the judicial body did not find the police's ban unlawful. The Court’s decision was based on the fact that, despite the peaceful purpose and security measures in place, there was a concern that violent individuals might join the rally.
According to the HCLU, both the police and Supreme Court's decisions violate the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, as the ban was based on an alleged, improbable risk of violence. The organisation further stated that the ruling restricts opportunities for genuine dialogue on important public issues.
Hungarian truckers stage protest at Ukraine border
On 10th December 2023, Hungarian truckers launched a protest near the country's main border crossing with Ukraine, slowing the movement of trucks. They demanded restrictions on Ukrainian hauliers operating in the European Union, who have been exempt from permit requirements to enter the EU since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The truckers called for an immediate revision of the agreement, the reinstatement of licence quotas for Ukrainian-Hungarian transport, and intensive monitoring of Ukrainian hauliers.
After ten days, the demonstrators announced the end of the protest because they received no support from either their union or the government.
Freedom of expression
Independent news portal discredited by Head of Cabinet of the Prime Minister
On 14th November 2023, the Prime Minister’s Head of Cabinet, Antal Rogán, discredited news portal Telex and other independent Hungarian media during a press conference of the Economic Committee of the Parliament. When asked by a reporter from Telex about the Hungarian media situation in light of the planned package of sovereignty laws aimed to halt foreign influence, Rogán replied by insinuating that Hungarian media receiving foreign funding might be serving the interests of those funders and highlighting that “it is problematic if foreign money is used to influence elections”. The reporter also asked about the background talks Rogán often holds with pro-government media. Rogán admitted that these talks happen, but specified that he also holds meetings with other press outlets with the exception of Telex as they “write bad things about everything”. Rogán added that he refrains from giving interviews to Telex because it is “an organ that is openly anti-government, and its purpose is to help the left to power”.
Independent news outlets denied access to government press conference
On 21st December 2023, independent news outlets Magyar Hang, Media1, and Gulyáságyú Media were banned from attending Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s annual press conference in Budapest, despite having requested accreditation from the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office. When journalists from these outlets attempted to access the event, police blocked their entry, informing them that their names were not on the Cabinet Office’s list. Both the police and Cabinet Office personnel refused to assist when the journalists sought help to resolve the issue.
Although Klubrádió was eventually granted entry, reporter Judit Csernyánszky chose not to attend the press conference in solidarity with her colleagues from the other outlets.
Following the event, Media1 contacted Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s press officer, to ask for an explanation behind the arbitrary denial of accreditation. Havasi responded, stating, “Press registration was arranged this year, as every year, on the basis of the government information press list”.
Study finds Orbán’s government spreads disinformation narratives to minorities abroad
On 20th December 2023, Political Capital, an independent Hungarian policy research institute, published the results of research conducted between 1st January and 15th July 2023. The study analyses the influence of the Orbán regime on the media serving the Hungarian minorities in Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine. It found that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has consistently sought to control Hungarian minority populations and their media in neighbouring countries, primarily through financial support. The report argues that Orbán’s government has exploited these communities for political gain by exporting “illiberal” values and spreading pro-Russian narratives.
The research institute monitored and investigated four main types of narratives disseminated by online news media, political actors, or Facebook pages: those concerning the war, anti-Russia sanctions, immigration, and gender-related issues. The study concluded that Hungarian minority communities most vulnerable to these disinformation campaigns are those whose media consumption is dominated by Orbán-influenced outlets and who rarely engage with majority-language media. The Serbian diaspora is particularly susceptible, as it is exposed to disinformation from both the Hungarian and Serbian governments.
Minors banned from photo exhibition due to LGBTQI+ images
Since 13 November 2023, media outlets have reported that the Budapest Museum of Ethnography is barring minors from part of an exhibition titled “Indians. Souls. Survivors.” by Hungarian-Brazilian photographer Claudia Andujar. The exhibition, which depicts the daily life of the indigenous Yanomami people in the Brazilian jungle, includes a photograph titled “Homosexuality” that shows two bare-chested men, one touching the other's shoulder. The museum's website now specifically states that “Parts of the exhibition are only open to visitors over the age of 18.”
This restriction comes after the removal of László L. Simon from his position as director-general of the Hungarian National Museum on 6th November 2023, which the CIVICUS Monitor previously reported on. The decision, made by Minister of Culture János Csák, followed Simon’s refusal to ban minors from the World Press Photo exhibition, which included three photographs of residents at a gay retirement home in the Philippines.
LGBTQI+ rights
New report reveals online attacks against LGBTQI+ people are a major concern
On 5th December 2023, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) presented its Digital Rights Violations Report 2022-2023, which documents cases of digital rights violations in Southeast Europe and Hungary. The report highlights that online attacks against LGBTQI+ people are a significant concern in Hungary. It also suggests that the Hungarian government fuels these campaigns by accusing LGBTQI+ people of targeting children with propaganda. The report details several instances of online attacks, carried out by politicians and pro-government media outlets, against LGBTQI+ individuals between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023.