Opposition Jobbik lawmaker Koloman Brenner said on Wednesday that Hungarians should have the right to pick a president through direct election, and called for a comprehensive revamp of legislature.
He told a presser that the “current heated political atmosphere” had revealed that the president was unable to fulfil his tasks as enshrined in the constitution, which is to represent the unity of the Hungarian nation. He added that recent statements by President Tamás Sulyok had been “extremely partisan”. Jobbik is proposing a comprehensive revamp of public law, Brenner said. The current single-round election, “set up by Fidesz, a party with excessive powers,” secured the dominance of a single party in parliament, he said. In such a situation, a president elected by parliament “is practically guaranteed to be politically biased”, he said.
Jobbik has prepared a comprehensive legislative package based on Austrian and Czech examples, which includes the direct election of the president, the reintroduction of two-round elections and the requirement to finish 8-year primary education to obtain the right to vote, he said.
Opposition Tisza leader Péter Magyar called for early elections: he said in a New Year’s message on Wednesday that his party represented a new force that is able to govern Hungary and “give back to the country what has been taken away from it: decency, self-respect, justice, and hope for a better life”.
In a video on Facebook, he called on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to “hold a new election and give Hungarians back the right to make a decision”. “We have no more time to waste, a new election and a new mandate are needed,” he said. He called for early elections to be held as soon as possible “because we have no more time to waste, Hungarians do not have another year, they cannot retreat further”.
Magyar said that in 2008, Orbán had called for an early election, urging the government of the time to move away in the interest of the country. “For the ruling party at the time, its own prosperity was more important than the interests of the country,” he said, adding that “you have since become Ferenc Gyurcsány”, referring to the prime minister at the time. “Enough of the propaganda of hatred, of warmongering, lies and throwing money around,” he said.
He said 2025 would be dedicated to hope and “we will claim back our home country from the 3,000 people who currently enjoy the fruits of hatred and division, and who laugh contemptuously from the success of another smear campaign”. “We Hungarians will move away from the hatred and division forced upon us, and will show that love is stronger than hate,” he said. “With the help of well-meaning and decent Hungarian people, we will be able to build a new Hungary,” the Tisza leader added.
He said it would be “a country where families are able to make a decent living from their income, where the government is not ruling over the people, where there is no place for abuse of power, and the operation of the government is not based on all-pervasive corruption”.
He added that it would be a country “where health care, education and state administration again serve the wellbeing of the people, where our children get quality education and still enjoy themselves, where the administration of justice functions again and all offenders will be called to account, where our elderly fellow countrymen can spend their well-deserved old years with their families in a predictable way, with access to quality health services. A country that our Hungarian brothers and sisters from abroad can continue to rely on, where everybody can be proud of their origins, their religion, their cultural heritage, and where everyone can advance regardless of the environment they were born into,” he added.
“We Hungarians will reach out to each other, to everyone, also to Fidesz supporters, left-wingers, and liberals,” he said.
Every Hungarian vote in Sunday’s general election is needed following the first round of the Romanian presidential election, as achievements could otherwise be jeopardised, Zsolt Semjén, the deputy prime minister, said in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár) on Wednesday.
Hungarians, he said, “should get out to vote” whatever the case rather than weighing up the Romanian political palette in the first place.
If the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) were not present in the Romanian parliament, Hungarians in Transylvania and Hungarian-Romanian relations would have to contend with “unforeseeable and tragic consequences”, he told journalists after addressing the inauguration of the renovated headquarters of the Kriza Janos Ethnographic Society.
RMDSZ leader Hunor Kelemen said a high turnout was expected in Sunday’s elections, which is why it was so important to mobilise Hungarian voters.
Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of Budapest, has said ruling Fidesz wanted to boost its own election chances by reducing the number of electoral districts in the capital and thereby diluting the city’s voting weight in parliament relative to its population.
Karácsony accuses Fidesz of seeking to amend election law to favour itself
Fidesz’s proposal would reduce the number of electoral districts in Budapest from 18 to 16, a statement from Karácsony’s office said on Tuesday.
“What’s more, they want to shove this down the throats of lawmakers with a sneaky committee amendment, without even allowing a regular parliamentary debate,” Karácsony said. “This is their way of taking revenge on the capital for [the majority of the electorate] voting against the government last time. If they keep this up, an even larger share of the electorate will vote against them next time.”
Alexandra Szentkirályi, the head of Fidesz’s Budapest chapter, said Karácsony was “lying” about the proposed amendment, arguing that legislators had a duty to make changes to the electoral districts to reflect their changing populations.
In a Facebook post, Szentkirályi insisted that because Karácsony is an “experienced sociologist and polltaker”, he was “deliberately twisting the truth … rather than simply being uninformed”.
“He falsely claims that the government is reducing the number of electoral districts in Budapest as punishment because Budapest residents didn’t vote for Fidesz,” Szentkirályi said.
She said the capital’s population had grown under the administration of former mayor István Tarlós before shrinking by about 66,000 during Karacsony’s first term between 2019 and 2024.
She added that this required decision-makers to reapportion the electoral districts accordingly, noting that under the law, they have to have similar populations.
László Sebián-Petrovszki, the party director of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK), said after a meeting of parliament’s judiciary committee that Fidesz KDNP submitted a 65-page proposal aiming to redraw electroral district lines in Budapest and a few counties. He called it “outrageous” that the proposal was submitted “without any consultation or professional groundwork”.
He pointed to Budapest’s 11th district as an example, which would be divided into four electoral districts.
Several points of the proposal would have practical disadvantages for the voters, Sebián-Petrovszki said. The ballots would be cast without envelopes, “which could lead to irregularities,” he added.
Regarding the re-drawing of electoral maps in counties, Sebián-Petrovszki said the steep population decline in Somogy County could warrant measures. At the same time, “the proposal also features a complete revamp of Fejár and Csongrád-Csanád counties,” he said.
The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) plans to nominate candidates in all 106 individual constituencies in the 2026 general election, according to a party official.
DK’s plan
Public opinion polls indicate that four parties have a chance of entering parliament in 2026, and since Fidesz, Tisza and Mi Hazánk are all right-wing, Christian parties, only Democratic Coalition will represent non-right-wing voters, Csaba Molnár, DK’s executive vice-president, told an online press briefing on Tuesday.
Nominations will be for candidates who are local, well-known, and for the most part already elected representatives.
On October 27, 2024, Uzbekistan held a significant election that attracted widespread attention both domestically and internationally.
This historical election, conducted for the first time under a mixed electoral system, determined representatives in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Uzbekistan’s parliament), the Jokargy Kenes of Karakalpakstan, as well as councils of people’s deputies across various regions, Tashkent city, and multiple districts and cities. The introduction of the mixed electoral system aimed to foster competition among political parties and encourage democratization, an effort monitored by over 65,000 domestic observers, 850 international observers, and more than 1,000 local and foreign media representatives.
Following the elections, on October 28, the Central Election Commission (CEC) released provisional results. With 74.72% of registered voters participating and each political party receiving over 7% of the votes, the election was confirmed as valid. On October 29, a regular CEC meeting reviewed the election’s outcome in the nationwide constituency, specifically focusing on the distribution of seats in the Legislative Chamber.
The CEC established an electoral quotient, calculated by dividing the total number of valid votes cast for parties that met the 7% threshold by 75 (the number of available seats), resulting in an electoral quotient of 199,282 votes per seat. Using this quotient, the 75 parliamentary seats were allocated as follows:
1. Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan: 26 seats
2. Milliy Tiklanish” Democratic Party of Uzbekistan: 14 seats
3. People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan: 13 seats
4. “Adolat” Social Democratic Party: 12 seats
5. Ecological Party of Uzbekistan: 10 seats
Initially, 73 seats were directly distributed. The remaining two seats were awarded to the parties with the highest remaining vote fractions following the electoral quotient, specifically benefiting the Ecological Party and the People’s Democratic Party, which each gained an additional seat.
The CEC meeting concluded with the formal approval of the election protocol and the issuance of official notifications to the political parties and deputies. The elected representatives will now be registered as members of the Legislative Chamber by the Central Election Commission.
As we wrote before, the candidate who receives the most votes compared to the other candidates from the voters who took part in the voting in the single-mandate constituencies is deemed to be elected. The party affiliation of the 75 deputies elected to the Legislative Chamber in single-mandate constituencies is as follows:
The Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 38 deputies,
15 deputiesfromthe “Milliy Tiklanish” (“National Revival”) Democratic Party of Uzbekistan,
6 deputiesfromthe Ecological Party of Uzbekistan,
7 deputiesfrom the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.
9 deputies fromthe “Adolat” (“Justice”) Social Democratic Party.
The communications director of the Fidesz-Christian Democrats said on Wednesday that polling showed the ruling alliance ahead of its main rival “by a large margin”, and this level of support would be replicated in the 2026 general election.
In a video message on Facebook, Tamás Menczer vowed that Fideszwould protect the values underpinning peace and security and launch an economic programme that would have a “positive and tangible” effect on the everyday lives of Hungarians. He listed affordable housing, loans and subsidies, opportunities for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, favourable financing for employees and wage increases as key government policies.
Menczer said it was realistic to expect 2025 to turn out to be “exceptionally good”. “We will protect our achievements: one million jobs, the tax exemption for young people and the 13th month pension, family support … and we will double the tax relief…” he said.
Hungary’s foreign ministry has summoned Sweden’s ambassador to Budapest over comments made by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in connection with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent visit to Georgia, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday, adding that the government “firmly rejects” Kristersson’s remarks.
Speaking during a break in a cabinet meeting, Szijjártósaid “those in Brussels and European liberals can’t process the outcome of the election in Georgia”.
“The winners in Georgia weren’t the ones they wanted, but rather the Georgian people made a decision themselves, and sure enough, they didn’t elect a liberal party but a conservative, sovereigntist, pro-peace and pro-family political force, once again with over 50 percent support,” Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.
“They can’t come to terms with this in Brussels, and neither can the liberal mainstream, so they are trying to cause disturbance in all kinds of ways and question the outcome of the Georgian elections,” he said.
He said Viktor Orbán’s visit to Georgia this week had also received “all kinds of … ridiculous and at times pathetic criticism”.
Szijjártó said he would not comment on his Polish counterpart’s remarks, but “if the prime minister of … an EU and NATO country questions whose position and interests the Hungarian prime minister represents, that crosses a line and calls for speaking out”.
He said Sweden’s prime minister, who not long ago had been in Budapest asking Hungary to back his country’s NATO membership, had suggested this week that his Hungarian counterpart had gone to Tbilisi “on behalf of Russia”.
“That is a statement we must reject in the strongest terms,” Szijjártó said. “We do not accept anyone questioning that we represent our own interests, Hungarian national interests and the Hungarian position.”
“We are not a jawohl country; no one can tell us what to say or represent, we represent Hungarian national interests,” Szijjártó added.
He said the foreign ministry had summoned the Swedish ambassador yesterday afternoon to clarify the government’s position, and had asked that Swedish officials refrain from making such comments in the future.
Szijjártó said these kinds of remarks “are not based on mutual respect in any way, and it doesn’t appear that they strive to improve our cooperation as allies”.
The head of Uzbekistan’s election authority said on Monday that the country’s ruling party led Sunday’s parliamentary elections, in which voters elected members of the lower house of parliament.
Zayniddin Nizamkhodzhayev, head of the country’s Central Election Commission, told a briefing that more than 15 million voters out of nearly 20 million cast their ballots in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, with a turnout of 74.72%.
As of 8 a.m. local time on Sunday, 11,028 polling stations had opened nationwide. Voting ended later at 8 p.m. local time.
He also said that 140,388 voters cast their ballots at 57 polling stations set up at 40 Uzbek diplomatic and consular missions abroad, including in Budapest, Hungary.
Following last year’s new constitution, the voting process was the first time a mixed electoral system was successfully used in the country’s history.
Moreover, for the first time in Uzbekistan’s history, five political parties have nominated 100 percent of candidates for deputies at all levels,” he said.
Nizamkhodzhayev said more than 850 foreign and international observers monitored the election. Alpár Kató, editor-in-chief of the Daily News Hungary, was present as a delegate of the Hungarian press.
“For the first time in the history of our country, electronic voting was introduced on an experimental basis in some polling stations in Tashkent on election day,” Nizamkhodzhayev added.
To show the purity of the election, a web camera system showed polling stations online so that an Uzbek polling station could be viewed from anywhere in the world.
The mixed electoral system is based on 75 lists and 75 regional deputies in the legislature.
According to preliminary data, the following results were achieved in the election of deputies to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis in the nationwide constituencies:
The Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan received 5,194,041 votes or 34.75 percent and won 26 seats in parliament through the distribution;
the “Milliy Tiklanish” (“National Revival”) Democratic Party of Uzbekistan received 2,812,493 votes or 18.82 percent and won 14 seats in parliament through the distribution;
the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan received 1,960,764 votes or 13.12 percent and won 10 parliamentary seats through the distribution;
the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan received 2,558,016 votes or 17.11 percent and 13 parliamentary seats after the distribution;
the “Adolat” (“Justice”) Social Democratic Party received 2,420,857 votes or 16.20 percent and 12 parliamentary seats after the distribution.
The candidate who receives the most votes compared to the other candidates from the voters who took part in the voting in the single-mandate constituencies is deemed to be elected. The party affiliation of the 75 deputies elected to the Legislative Chamber in single-mandate constituencies is as follows:
The Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 38 deputies,
15 deputiesfromthe “Milliy Tiklanish” (“National Revival”) Democratic Party of Uzbekistan,
6 deputiesfromthe Ecological Party of Uzbekistan,
7 deputiesfrom the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.
9 deputies fromthe “Adolat” (“Justice”) Social Democratic Party.
Total number of expected seats in Parliament
Preliminary results of the elections show that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev won 42.6%, 64 out of 150 seats in the country’s lower house of parliament, the legislative chamber.
The National Revival Democratic Party followed the country’s ruling party after winning 29 parliamentary seats (19.3%).
The reforms of the New Uzbekistan seem to be paying off, and with an exemplary election, the Central Asian country has shown how to organise a renewed election. You can read here more details about political reforms and parliamentary elections.
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Monday extended the Hungarian government’s congratulations to Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party on “winning the trust of the Georgian people” in the election this past weekend.
FM Szijjártó shares his thoughts on the Georgian election
Hungary’s government is prepared to develop cooperation with Georgia based on mutual respect and support the European integration process, Szijjártó said in a post on Facebook.
Photo: Facebook / Szijjártó Péter
“Saturday’s election in Georgia was not won by those appointed by Brussels and the liberal mainstream, but rather the pro-sovereignty, pro-peace and pro-family ruling party which openly puts national interests first,” the minister said.
“And because the liberals failed miserably, the attacks have already started, with claims that the election wasn’t fair and that there’s no democracy in Georgia,” he said. “What’s most pathetic is that one of the biggest critics is the Lithuanian foreign minister whose party was benched by the Lithuanian voters in yesterday’s election,” he added.
Hungary’s leading alliance of Fidesz and the Christian Democrats continues to hold a comfortable lead over the other parties, according to a new poll by the government-close Századvég.
Hungary’s leading parties are still strong
Taking the voting population as a whole, the ruling parties are backed by 40 percent of voters, with their nearest opposition rival, the Tisza Party, on 31 percent, Századvég told MTI on Monday. The radical Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) party and the Two-Tailed Dog Party (MKKP) are third with 6 percent each.
The left-wing opposition parties are currently below the 5 percent threshold for seats in parliament, Századvég said.
Altogether 8 percent of the poll’s respondents were undecided.
Among decided voters, Fidesz and the Christian Democrats would capture 43 percent of the vote if an election were held now, the Tisza Party would get 32 percent and Mi Hazánk and MKKP 7 percent each. The left-wing parties would fail to reach the parliamentary threshold.
Századvég conducted the poll this month with a sample of 1,000 adults.
A survey conducted between 9 and 15 October with 1,000 participants reveals that the dominance of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz Party could be at risk, as the rising Tisza Party gains significant ground among key voter groups, particularly in urban areas and younger demographics. Here’s what a political analyst has to say about the newest numbers.
Tisza to leave Fidesz in the dust?
As Szeretlek Magyarország reports, a recent poll by the 21 Research Centre reveals that the Tisza Party has overtaken Fidesz among voters who are certain to cast their ballots, with 42 percent support compared to Fidesz’s 40 percent. However, among the broader population, the governing Fidesz party still holds the lead with 29 percent, while the Tisza Party trails at 26 percent.
Besides these two, only the Mi Hazánk Party (Our Homeland Party) would enter parliament, as other parties such as the Kétfarkú Kutya Party (Two-tailed Dog Party) and DK (Democratic Coalition) stand at 4 percent each. In the poll, 98 percent of Tisza Party voters believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, a sentiment shared by 71 percent of all respondents.
Demographical data
The recent poll also highlighted party preferences across demographics. The Tisza Party holds a strong lead over Fidesz among younger voters aged 18-39, while Fidesz dominates among those aged 65 and over. Educational attainment also shows a divide, with Fidesz leading among those with primary and secondary education, whereas the Tisza Party is favoured by voters with higher qualifications. A surprising finding is the geographic breakdown: Fidesz leads only in villages and smaller municipalities, while the Tisza Party has overtaken them in the capital, county capitals, and other cities.
Photo: FB/Péter Magyar
Political analyst reacts to the poll’s results
Szeretlek Magyarország also writes that political analyst Gábor Török noted on Facebook that while the Tisza Party’s lead falls within the margin of error, this marks the first time in 18 years that such a result has emerged. He also highlighted that opinion polls not only reflect political realities but can influence voter decisions and political behaviour. The survey data, particularly regarding gender, age, education, and location, offer insights into the shifting dynamics between Fidesz and the Tisza Party.
According to Török, the poll shows a notable gender divide: Fidesz remains more popular among women, with 30 percent supporting the ruling party, compared to 22 percent backing the Tisza Party. Conversely, men tend to favour the Tisza Party, with 31 percent supporting it compared to Fidesz’s 27 percent. Additionally, women are more likely to be undecided voters, with a third of them unsure, while only a quarter of men fall into this category. This gender gap, along with other demographic factors, illustrates the fascinating competition between Hungary’s leading political parties.
Photo: FB/Magyar
Tisza MEPs ‘voted for migration, against Hungarians’, says Fidesz MEP
MEPs of the opposition Tisza party have voted “in favour of migration and against Hungarians” several times in the European Parliament, the head of the Fidesz-Christian Democrat (KDNP) delegation said on Thursday, adding that Tisza MEPs voted to speed up the implementation of the EU’s migration pact at the EP vote on the 2025 EU budget.
Tamás Deutsch told Hungarian journalists that Tisza MEPs also supported an EU proposal to raise by 10 billion euros funds for ensuring the welfare of migrants. In another vote, they supported a proposal “that says it was right to fine Hungary for 200 million euros for rejecting migration and for operating legal and physical barriers to keep migrants out.”
Further, Tisza MEPs voted against a proposal to allocated 2 million euros to fund Hungary’s maintenance of the border fence, he said.
The opposition MEPs were ready “to fulfil EU expectations and help turn Hungary into an immigration country by forcing it to allow in illegal migrants. We will not allow that, and we will thwart Tisza’s attempts,” Deutsch said.
Fidesz MEP Csaba Dömötör noted that Tisza had earlier said that they would align their position with that of the European People’s Party. “Their alignment to Brussels means more migration, more war expenditures and less financial support for Hungary. Rather than giving up a little bit of sovereignty, this spells damage that will be hard to repair,” Dömötör said.
“Those who hold dear Hungary’s sovereignty, culture and financial independence can only count on the MEPs of Fidesz-Christian Democrats,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Fidesz delegation said in a statement that the “leftist majority of the EP voted for a war budget” in a vote on budget amendments. “This budget will finance ongoing institutional blackmail, the rule-of-law jihad, the madness of gender ideology and woke, and the Soros network,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Fidesz rejected the amendments in line with its Patriots for Europe party family, it said.
PfE MEPs have also called for the monies Hungary is entitled to be paid as soon as possible, and guarantees that those sums would not be spent for other purposes, the statement said. They have also called for the “discriminative decision” excluding Hungarian universities, researchers and students from the Horizon and Erasmus programmes, it said.
The opposition Socialist Party elected Imre Komjáthi as its leader at the party’s congress on Saturday.
Komjáthi, a former co-leader of the party who on Saturday was elected for a two-year period, told a press conference after the vote that the party congress chose Lajos Korózs to be the deputy chairman and István Hiller the head of the national board. Komjáthi said the congress marked the start of the Socialist Party’s 2026 election campaign.
Imre Komjáthi. Photo: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert
“We will be the human voice of Hungarian political life,” Komjáthi said. “The Socialist Party will be the left-wing conscience of Hungarian political life.” Komjáthi, who is also an MP, told MTI that his party’s most important promise was that it would have a parliamentary group after the 2026 election. The first step towards achieving this, he added, was finding their 106 individual candidates. He said that having visited the party’s local chapters around the country over the last two years, he was aware of the state of the party, adding that the starting point was “promising”.
Komjáthi said 2026 was “too far away” for the party to be concerned with forming alliances, adding that in the summer they had reached out to the left-wing parties and movements that were “finding their place”. The Socialists, he said, wanted to be a home for these left-wing movements, but “time will tell if this will evolve into an electoral party or an umbrella organisation”. He said he will nominate a new party director who is not a politician at the first meeting of the party’s board. Komjáthi and Ágnes Kunhalmi resigned as the Socialists’ co-leaders in June over the result of the European Parliament and local elections.
The Democratic Coalition (DK) will field candidates in all 106 individual constituencies in the 2026 general election, Ferenc Gyurcsány, the leftist opposition party’s leader, said on Saturday.
DK will start announcing their candidates in early November, Gyurcsány said at an event marking the 13th anniversary of the founding of the party. In his speech streamed online, Gyurcsány called out Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for controlling “our common narrative” and said that today, only the Democratic Coalition could deliver a “credible narrative”.
He said the reason for the opposition’s loss in the 2022 election was not that they had joined forces but rather that they had not had their own shared story. Gyurcsány said Hungary’s interests lay in making Europe stronger, arguing that it was through Europe that Hungary could participate in the global competition. He said Hungary was a sovereign country, but also called for strengthening Europe’s sovereignty.
He called for the establishment of a new alliance of democracies that espouse Western values. Klára Dobrev, the party’s MEP, said she was proud that DK had never compromised on the kind of Europe, Hungary and world it represented.
The 2024 Budapest Forum, taking place on 18-19 September, brought together influential voices from across Europe and beyond to tackle the pressing issues facing democracies today. Organised by the Municipality of Budapest, Political Capital, and the CEU Democracy Institute, this year’s forum focused on “Building Sustainable Democracies” under the overarching theme of “The Year of Elections.” The event, now in its fourth year, has cemented itself as the ultimate platform for pro-democratic dialogue in Central Eastern Europe.
With Hungary currently holding the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe, the 2024 Budapest Forum, held at the CEU Nádor Event Centre, took on added significance. Key discussions revolved around the rule of law, democracy, media capture, the trajectory of European integration, and the implications of the upcoming 2024 elections. The event highlighted the critical role of these elections in shaping Europe’s future and beyond, as Hungary and other nations prepare for a pivotal year that will redefine their political landscapes.
Budapest Mayor’s speech at the 2024 Budapest Forum
Following the opening address, Budapest’s recently re-elected mayor, Gergely Karácsony took to the stage, delivering a powerful speech on the concept of democracy and its current challenges. Reflecting on the transition period around 1989, Karácsony noted how liberal democracy was once widely accepted in Eastern Europe, serving as the framework for political discourse. However, he highlighted that this consensus has since eroded, replaced by rising authoritarian populism fueled by frustration with the political and economic order.
Karácsony underscored that populism thrives on a narrative of division, offering simplistic, emotionally charged solutions that contrast with the more complex demands of liberal democracy. He called for a strategy of “radical love,” focusing on addressing citizens’ needs and bridging societal divides, rather than escalating polarisation. Drawing from his experience as a mayor, he advocated for practical actions, such as reducing material inequalities and improving everyday life, as key to restoring faith in democracy.
Ultimately, Karácsony urged the audience to remember the power of thoughts in shaping society, stressing that the future of democracy and the fight against populism depend on winning hearts and minds through respect, empathy, and real-world solutions that resonate with everyday people.
U.S. Ambassador David Pressman slams PM Orbán
After Karácsony’s speech, U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman was the next speaker at the Budapest Forum, harshly criticising Hungary’s government for prioritising words over actions and intertwining harmful rhetoric with policy. He highlighted Hungary’s dualism, contrasting its commitments to NATO and the EU with its close ties to Russia and internal attacks on civil society and free media. Pressman emphasised that Hungary’s government uses propaganda and fear to stifle dissent, creating a democratic crisis. He warned that Hungary’s current trajectory risks damaging its relationships with allies and urged a reevaluation of how Hungary’s words and policies are perceived and addressed by its partners.
For more on David Pressman’s speech at the 2024 Budapest Forum refer to THIS article or watch the entire video HERE.
Foreign policy outlook before the 2024 U.S. presidential elections
The first panel discussion, following David Pressman’s opening speech, was titled “Foreign Policy Outlook Before the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.” Panelists began by reflecting on Ambassador Pressman’s remarks, particularly his advice to focus on government actions rather than words. Founding Partner and CEO of Red Snow Consulting and Publishing Mr Feledy highlighted different phases in Hungarian foreign policy, from early relations with Russia to recent escalations following the Ukraine invasion, emphasising Hungary’s growing openness to authoritarian influences. He criticized the prioritization of loyalty over institutional integrity, a sentiment echoed by the director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali Mrs Tocci, who stressed that speech itself is a form of action, especially in Hungary’s case, where rhetoric influences both domestic and international perceptions.
David Pressman noted that the U.S. took too long to address Hungary’s drift away from democratic norms, lamenting the lack of early, firm U.S. responses during Orbán’s rise. He expressed concerns about the inconsistency of U.S. foreign policy towards Hungary, particularly in light of potential changes after the 2024 election, and highlighted the implications of a possible Trump presidency for U.S.-Hungarian relations.
The panel then shifted to discussing how Europe could prepare for a second Trump presidency, emphasising that U.S. election outcomes significantly impact Europe. A Trump victory could further strain transatlantic relations and alter Europe’s strategic responses to global changes, highlighting the pivotal nature of U.S. leadership in shaping international dynamics.
A distinguished line-up of speakers
The forum also featured other distinguished speakers, including Dariusz Mazur, Deputy Minister of Justice in Poland; Vladimir Milov, former Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia; and Ann Applebaum, Pulitzer-prize winning historian and journalist. These speakers brought diverse perspectives to the table, discussing topics ranging from the future of U.S. foreign policy to the potential for a democratic Russia. The sessions underscored the urgent need for cohesive, cross-border strategies to safeguard democratic values against internal and external threats.
The standout panels at the 2024 Budapest Forum examined crucial topics such as “Empowering Europe: Strengthening Democracy, Protecting Citizens from Authoritarian Influence”, which addressed the way Europe can fortify its democratic institutions amidst rising populism and authoritarian pressures. This discussion resonated deeply with participants, reflecting broader concerns about the stability of democratic norms in a rapidly changing global landscape. Similarly, the panel titled “What Does It Take to Win? – Insights and Lessons from Russia’s War in Ukraine” provided a sobering look at the ongoing conflict and its implications for European security and democracy.
The sessions were not limited to geopolitical analysis. The 2024 Budapest Forum also delved into socio-political dynamics within individual countries. A notable discussion on “Poland’s Re-Democratisation Experiment – A Blueprint for Hungary?” explored Poland’s efforts to re-establish democratic norms and the lessons these could offer to Hungary. These in-depth discussions highlighted the interconnectedness of European nations in the fight to sustain democratic governance.
Final words
With more than 450 in-person participants and nearly 40,000 viewers online, the 2024 Budapest Forum demonstrated a strong public interest in these critical issues. Looking ahead, the organisers are eager to build on this year’s success. They plan to expand their network and continue the crucial work of shaping policy debates at both the local and international levels. As the 2024 Budapest Forum has shown, the road to building sustainable democracies is challenging, but with collective effort, the path forward is hopeful and promising.
Budapest Forum 2024 – CEUBudapest Forum 2024 – CEUBudapest Forum 2024 – CEUBudapest Forum 2024 – CEUBudapest Forum 2024 – CEUBudapest Forum 2024 – CEUBudapest Forum 2024 – CEUBudapest Forum 2024 – CEU 9 David PressmanBudapest Forum 2024 – CEU 10 Karácsony Gergely BudapestBudapest Forum 2024 – CEU – David PressmanBudapest Forum 2024 CEU
The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) on Tuesday said it is launching an online signature drive against the establishment of electoral districts beyond Hungary’s border.
Citing press reports, Gergely Arató, the party’s deputy parliamentary group leader, told a press conference that ruling Fidesz was preparing to create individual electoral districts beyond the border. He said this would mean that Hungarian citizens without a permanent address in Hungary would elect 8-10 MPs in general elections, compared with the 1-2 they currently elect by voting for party lists.
Arató said this was a “brutal distortion” of Hungary’s election system, arguing that it could be those who “don’t bear the consequences of their actions” that end up preventing a change of government. He said the government’s performance could only be judged by those “who live, shop and receive health care here”.
On August 7th 2024, about 130 members of the Venezuelan community in Budapest gathered in front of Saint Stephen’s Basilica, on a vigil to pay tribute to those killed in the post-election protests since July 28th as a result of the brutal repression of the Venezuelan regime against innocent people who were just exercising their free right to demonstrate and demand the will of the people to be respected. The gathering was organized by the civic movements ‘Viva Venezuela Hungria’ and ‘Comando Hungria Venezuela’.
Venezuelans in Budapest hold a vigil for regime victims
Venezuelans gather in front of the Basilica for a vigil to honor the victims of the Venezuelan regime after electoral fraud in the country.
Volunteers started reading the names of the 24 victims who were killed by the security forces and paramilitary groups supporting Maduro’s regime (National Guard, National Police and ‘Colectivos’). Then played traditional Venezuelan music as a tribute to the fallen and started lighting with candles the Venezuelan map honouring the victims of the post-electoral protests, as well as many other victims of the regime in past years. According to the Foro Penal the victims until today (August 16th 2024), there are 1406 verified and identified arrests have been registered, of which 117 are teenagers and 24 have died (Euronews and Provea NGO).
In the last few weeks, during and after the elections, ‘Viva Venezuela Hungría’ and ‘Comando Venezuela Hungría’ have been responsible for organizing various events, the first one was a contact point during the election day 28 July 2024, to inform people how to vote, and to stay updated on election day. On July 31sta citizens assembly was organized in Hero’s Square. Information about the vigil can be found here (video posted on Facebook event).
On August 17th 2024 Venezuelans held a worldwide protest called “Ganó Venezuela – Gran Protesta Mundial por la Verdad / Venezuela Won, World Protest for the Truth”. Until today 300 cities have joined the protests (Un Mundo Sin Mordaza, NGO). It’s a crucial moment that the diaspora cannot waste, Venezuelans inside the country are being strongly repressed for manifesting, including minors and people with Down syndrome, who are being arrested after the police and national authorities check their mobile phones and find anything related to María Corina Machado or Edmundo Gonzalez.
More than 20,000 passports of Venezuelans inside and outside the country have been annulled because of their active role in protests. Most detentions (18%) occurred in the capital district, followed by the states of Carabobo and Anzoátegui. Data from the Attorney General’s office indicates that at least 2,200 people, indiscriminately labelled as ‘terrorists’, have been detained (United Nations news).
Organizations like the United Nations have publicly shared an expert report stating the following:
The Venezuelan Government must immediately end escalating repression that has come in the wake of the disputed presidential election last month, a UN Human Rights Council-appointed body investigating alleged rights abuses there, said on Monday.
To all the deceased, peace to their souls and eternal rest. To those arrested, the Venezuelan diaspora—nearly 8 million people worldwide—demands their immediate release.
About the August 17 gathering
The gathering yesterday at Deák Ferenc Square was a success: about 440 Venezuelans showed up. Participants read the declaration, showed their pamphlets and information to the general public, and closed the event. Today, on August 18, there will be a mass in Spanish (the usual mass) for the fallen. These weekend activities are the ones planned so far.
Photo gallery
Venezuelans gather in front of the Basilica for a vigil to honor the victims of the Venezuelan regime after electoral fraud in the country.
Venezuelans gather in front of the Basilica for a vigil to honor the victims of the Venezuelan regime after electoral fraud in the country.
Venezuelans gather in front of the Basilica for a vigil to honor the victims of the Venezuelan regime after electoral fraud in the country.
Venezuelans gather in front of the Basilica for a vigil to honor the victims of the Venezuelan regime after electoral fraud in the country.
Venezuelans gather in front of the Basilica for a vigil to honor the victims of the Venezuelan regime after electoral fraud in the country.
Venezuelans gather in front of the Basilica for a vigil to honor the victims of the Venezuelan regime after electoral fraud in the country.
Nearly a hundred Venezuelans spontaneously gathered at the iconic Heroes’ Square to reject the electoral fraud declared by Nicolás Maduro and denounce the wave of violence besieging the Venezuelan people.
Waving tricolor flags, the demonstrators caught the attention of passersby and tourists, who did not hesitate to show their support. Many of those present expressed their desire to return to their homeland and their concern for family members still living in Venezuela.
Venezuela, once known worldwide for the charismatic Hugo Chávez, is now in the news for the largest migration wave in modern history, with nearly 8 million displaced people.
Why Are Venezuelans Protesting Worldwide?
On July 28, Venezuela held presidential elections with 9 candidates running against Nicolás Maduro. Edmundo González Urrutia, supported by opposition leader María Corina Machado, had the greatest advantage.
However, the elections were marred by irregularities. The main opposition leader was excluded, and overseas voters faced numerous obstacles, resulting in only 69,000 voters out of nearly 8 million Venezuelans abroad.
Since 2018, the Venezuelan community in Hungary has grown significantly. By 2024, more than 1,200 Venezuelans have settled in this country.
The National Electoral Council announced Maduro’s re-election with 51% of the votes, a figure rejected by the people. The opposition, through 60,000 coordinations called “comanditos,” safeguarded copies of the electoral records, certifying González Urrutia as the winner by a margin of 30 points.
Venezuelans in Hungary Reject Electoral Fraud
The People’s Response
Following the government’s announcement, people took to the streets. In the first 36 hours of protests, 749 people were detained, including 17 minors, 11 forced disappearances, and 16 deaths, mostly from gunshot wounds to the head or chest.
“I came to raise my voice for all those brothers and sisters still in Venezuela fighting and being harshly punished by Maduro’s repression. None of us wanted to leave our country; we were forced by the situation. In Venezuela, there is no water or electricity for the people, we have the lowest wages on the continent, there are no medicines in hospitals, and many of us did what our parents or grandparents did when the communist boot hit Hungary. We cannot repeat history and remain silent; the world needs to know what is happening in Venezuela,” said a protester who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.
The gathering in Budapest, which lasted just over two hours, ended with the group singing the Venezuelan national anthem, amid smiles of hope and tears, aspiring to return to their homeland someday.
