Introduction
State of emergency extended again
On 14th November 2024, Hungary's parliament extended the state of emergency for another 180 days, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine and its economic and humanitarian impact. A significant majority of MPs approved the extension, granting the government emergency powers to address challenges linked to the conflict.
Initially declared in May 2022, the state of emergency has since been extended multiple times. It allows the government to issue decrees that override existing laws, enabling swift responses to emerging crises. The government argues the measure is essential for managing the humanitarian crisis and economic fallout of the war in Ukraine. However, civil society organisations and international observers have long raised concerns that the government has used these emergency powers to implement unrelated measures, undermining democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Hungary ranks last in Europe for fundamental rights
Hungary ranks lowest among European nations in fundamental rights, open government, constraints on government, and civil justice, according to the latest World Justice Project report. The country placed 73rd out of 142 countries worldwide and last among 31 European nations.
The report highlights a global decline in the rule of law for the seventh consecutive year, with authoritarianism eroding human rights and democratic principles.
PM Orbán calls on citizens to resist Brussels
On 23rd October 2024, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán used a speech commemorating the anniversary of the Hungarian uprising of 1956, which was violently crushed by Soviet troops, to urge Hungarians to resist the European Union, claiming the EU seeks to overthrow his government and install a puppet regime. According to Radio Free Europe, Orbán has used the holiday speech in the past to draw parallels between the EU and the Soviet Union.
Orbán criticised European leaders' handling of the war in Ukraine, alleging a plan to replace US military presence in the region with a strengthened Ukrainian army to “guarantee Europe's security.” Radio Free Europe reported that he warned, “We Hungarians could wake up one morning to see Slavic soldiers once again coming from the east and being deployed in Hungary. We don’t want that.”
New Threat to Judicial Independence
Hungary’s judiciary faces a crisis over a government proposal to raise judicial salaries by 48% over three years in response to low wages and high staff turnover. However, critics have argued that in return for the pay rise, the government expects the judiciary to support its controversial judicial reforms, which observers believe will jeopardise the independence of the judiciary.
These reforms include selectively extending the retirement age for judges to 70 (only for those who receive “special approval”) and the threat of judges who issue unfavourable verdicts being transferred to remote areas.
Péter Szabó, head of the National Judicial Council, faced criticism for endorsing the proposal but dismissed concerns, stating, “there is no money for the judiciary” without the deal at an internal meeting.
Freedom of Association
Relaunch of the Norway Grants scheme under negotiations
In December 2024, media reported that Hungary had reached an agreement with the European Commission and the member countries of the EEA and Norway Grants Mechanism, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, to restart the operation of the Norway Grants in Hungary. Bilateral negotiations between Hungary and Norway, suspended since 2021, are expected to begin before the end of 2024.
The Norway Grants funding scheme, meant to support EU member states that joined after 2004, had been blocked in Hungary due to disputes over the allocation of grants to NGOs.
SPO accuses critical NGOs of undermining national sovereignty
On 5th September 2024, the Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO) accused foreign-funded NGOs—NGOs critical of the government who receive support from international philanthropic foundations—of undermining Hungary’s sovereignty by contributing to EU rule-of-law proceedings against the country.
In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, SPO President Tamás Lánczi questioned the transparency and criteria behind the selection process of NGOs whose shadow reports were used in the proceedings. He also requested information about financial support these NGOs receive from EU bodies. Contributions to rule-of-law reports (“shadow reports”) are submitted through a public consultation process open to any NGO or stakeholder.
In an ironic turn, reports in late October 2024 revealed that the Danube Institute, a think tank closely linked to Viktor Orbán’s government, had paid more than $1.64 million to its foreign partners over the past three years. The institute, using public funds, seeks to influence conservative circles abroad and shape public opinion internationally.
NGOs urge Constitutional Court to overturn Sovereignty Protection Act
On 7th November 2024, 31 NGOs called on Hungary’s Constitutional Court to annul provisions of the Sovereignty Protection Act, arguing they violate both the constitution and international agreements.
Passed in December 2023 despite harsh criticism from domestic civil society and international observers, the Sovereignty Protection Act grants the Sovereignty Protection Office broad powers to investigate and report on organisations allegedly seeking to “influence electoral will.” Critics argue the law undermines freedom of expression and fair judicial processes.
The petition, prepared by Amnesty Hungary and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, was backed by 29 other NGOs. The joint statement supported Transparency International, which had filed a constitutional complaint after the Sovereignty Protection Office accused it of using foreign funds—from international charities—to influence voters. The NGOs contend the law is vague, allows arbitrary enforcement, and lacks safeguards against abuse.
On 15th November 2024, Transparency International Hungary reported that the Constitutional Court had dismissed its complaint against the Sovereignty Protection Act. Having exhausted domestic legal remedies, Transparency International Hungary and supporting NGOs plan to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights, seeking to have the act declared a violation of fundamental rights.
HCLU files third-party intervention with ECtHR over “Stop Soros” Law
The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) has intervened as a third party in the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) proceedings concerning Hungary’s “Stop Soros” legislative package. HCLU seeks to provide context and critique these laws, which it describes as propaganda tools.
Adopted in 2018, the “Stop Soros” package was framed as a measure to curb illegal immigration but primarily targeted civil society organisations, restricting their operations.
HCLU argues the legislation violates fundamental freedoms, stigmatises NGOs, and portrays organisations advocating for vulnerable groups as threats to national sovereignty.
Freedom of Assembly
Opposition protests against "government propaganda"
On 5th October 2024, thousands gathered outside the state broadcaster MTVA’s headquarters in Budapest for a protest organised by the centre-right opposition party Tisza. Protesters condemned the government’s "propaganda machine", accusing state media of biased coverage favouring Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s party and promoting a one-sided narrative.
Tisza leader Péter Magyar addressed the crowd, declaring: “We have had enough of the malice, the lies, the propaganda. Our patience has run out. What we have today as public media in Hungary is a global scandal.”
He continued: “Repeat a lie enough times and people will believe it to be the truth. This is Adolf Hitler's advice to Fidesz, to the propaganda of the ruling party. And the disciples took their master's advice. What is going on today in Hungary in 2024 under the name of public service is a global scandal.”
Freedom of expression
Pro-government media launch smear campaign against independent outlet
On 16th August 2024, Hungary’s pro-government media launched a smear campaign against the independent outlet 444.hu and its international journalist partners. The campaign accused the network, part of the Eastern Frontier Initiative (TEFI), of engaging in information warfare and claimed that Bellingcat, a partner organisation, was funded by foreign intelligence.
These claims originated from a pro-government platform and spread across 15 outlets. The allegations come amidst rising activity by Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office, which investigates foreign-funded organisations.
The targeted outlets rejected the accusations and highlighted the vital role of independent journalists. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium, along with six other press groups, issued a joint statement defending all journalists committed to safeguarding media freedom and condemning the ongoing attempts to discredit independent journalism.
Opposition leader criticises Media1 coverage
On 21st August 2024, opposition leader Péter Magyar, president of the Tisza Party, criticised Media1 on social media after the outlet reported on an incident where Index journalists and their team were removed from a party event. Magyar commented on a Facebook post about the article, dismissing Index as part of the government’s propaganda network and asserting that organisers had the right to exclude media they considered propagandists.
He also claimed that state-run events didn’t allow for “real press” and pointed out that Media1 did not report on this issue. In response, Media1 emphasised their work in reporting on harassment of independent media. Magyar, in turn, belittled the outlet, suggesting it only had 18 permanent readers.
State TV discredits fact-checker over refusal of invitation
On 12th September 2024, Hungarian state-owned TV channel M1 discredited and intimidated AFP fact-checker Ede Zaborszky after he declined an invitation to participate in a live debate on social media regulation. Zaborszky refused the debate because he didn’t want to comment on the legal or political aspects of the topic.
In response, M1 placed an empty chair with his name tag at the table and, at the start of the discussion, lamented his refusal to attend.
Radio suspends show over controversial political guest appearance
On 26th September 2024, independent radio station Tilos Rádió announced the suspension of its morning show Gyökérkezelés for six months. The show’s producers were informed that the suspension resulted from the inclusion of former Minister of Education Gábor Fodor as a guest on 4th September.
The editors who imposed the suspension argued that Fodor’s appearance violated Tilos Rádió’s principles of maintaining independence and avoiding political populism. However, the show's producers, who have previously hosted political figures, believe the decision was driven by personal biases against Fodor. The editorial team took the view that the programme violated the independence and autonomy of the broadcaster. In contrast, the producers argued that they were unfairly targeted and sanctioned without prior warning, noting that the station’s rules do not explicitly forbid inviting politicians.
October issue of local newspaper destroyed amid censorship claims
In Aszód, the October 2024 issue of the municipal newspaper Aszódi Tükör was reportedly destroyed after it listed the former mayor, Dr. Tiborc Szabolcs Pénzes, as the responsible publisher, following the victory of the Fidesz-backed mayor Dr. Szilvia Hajdú in the local election.
Following the destruction of the issue, the editor-in-chief resigned, and the printing and distribution company severed its contractual relationship with the municipality. The new mayor has not disclosed the costs of destroying the issue or addressed public concerns about the transparency of her actions. The new administration later combined the October-November issue, prominently featuring the new mayor.
SPO targets investigative media outlet with allegations of foreign influence; independent media expresses solidarity
On 28th October 2024, Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office released a report accusing the independent investigative media organisation Átlátszó of being part of an international network linked to foreign influence. The report claimed that its journalistic activities served as a cover for intelligence gathering against Hungary, asserting that Átlátszó posed a significant threat to national sovereignty and caused considerable damage to the country.
Átlátszó rejected the allegations, calling the report unfounded and misleading. The outlet announced plans to file a defamation lawsuit, asserting that the office was misusing public authority to target lawful journalistic activities.
On 21st November 2024, several Hungarian media outlets issued a joint statement in support of Átlátszó. They expressed solidarity with the outlet and emphasised the importance of independent journalism in holding power accountable. The joint statement rejected the SPO’s claims and criticised the office for undermining press freedom and the fundamental values of representative democracy. The media outlets stated that funding from international sources does not compromise journalistic integrity, highlighting that such funding is essential due to the Hungarian government’s systematic efforts to suppress independent media.