Across the European Union, Hungary’s political trajectory under Viktor Orbán has become a persistent source of concern — not because Budapest rejects the EU outright, but because its leadership systematically dismantles the democratic standards that bind the Union together. What once looked like an internal political shift has increasingly evolved into a structural departure from core European values: rule of law, media freedom and institutional transparency.

Over fifteen years, power in Hungary has become heavily concentrated within a tight political network close to the prime minister. While democratic institutions still exist in form, their independence has been steadily reduced. Watchdogs that should serve citizens now operate under significant political influence, and the separation of powers — a cornerstone of the European constitutional model — is visibly eroding.

The media sphere has suffered the most dramatic transformation. Instead of a pluralistic environment typical of EU democracies, Hungary now operates a media ecosystem largely aligned with government interests. In 2018, the creation of the Central European Press and Media Foundation (KESMA) brought hundreds of outlets under one umbrella dominated by loyalists. This unprecedented consolidation ensures that public debate is filtered through a narrow political perspective. Independent voices still exist, but their reach is overshadowed by a state-backed information machine.

Economic favoritism has become entrenched as well. Scandals such as the Elios affair — involving state contracts awarded to companies tied to Orbán’s son-in-law — illustrate how public funds and sometimes even EU money can be diverted toward politically connected actors. The rise of billionaire Lőrinc Mészáros, whose wealth skyrocketed during the Fidesz era thanks to public procurement, symbolizes a system where loyalty is rewarded above merit or competition. Such practices not only undermine Hungary’s domestic governance but also damage cohesion within the EU, which relies on fair financial management and accountability.

European institutions have repeatedly raised alarms. The European Commission’s reports consistently highlight deficiencies in the judiciary, weak anti-corruption mechanisms and legislative changes that resemble patterns observed in hybrid regimes. The EU has already frozen billions in cohesion and recovery funds due to rule-of-law concerns — an unprecedented step that underscores the seriousness of the situation.

Hungary’s foreign policy adds another layer of tension. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has become the central figure in articulating a geopolitical stance that frequently contradicts EU consensus. His unusually frequent meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, even after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, have amplified suspicions that Budapest is prioritizing energy deals and political leverage over European solidarity. While other EU states have reduced their exposure to Kremlin influence, Hungary has continued deep cooperation in key sectors such as nuclear energy and gas, slowing collective EU efforts to strengthen resilience.

At the same time, Szijjártó’s personal lifestyle — from yacht vacations with oligarch László Szíj to multimillion-forint real estate purchases — reinforces public perceptions of a political class increasingly detached from ordinary Hungarian citizens. This widening inequality contradicts the principles of social responsibility and transparency championed by the EU.

For Europe, Hungary’s democratic backsliding is more than a national issue — it is a stress test for the entire Union. If one member state systematically undermines shared values while benefiting from EU membership, the credibility of the European project comes into question. The risk is not merely that Hungary drifts further toward an authoritarian governance model, but that such a model could spread or be exploited by external actors seeking to weaken the EU from within.

Ensuring unity requires both firmness and engagement. European partners continue to call on Budapest to restore judicial independence, protect media pluralism, and demonstrate a commitment to the democratic standards expected of all EU members. Hungary’s citizens remain deeply European in identity and aspirations, and many civil society groups and independent journalists continue to defend these values with resilience. What is at stake is whether the state itself will realign with the principles that define Europe’s political community.

In the face of geopolitical uncertainty, internal cohesion has never been more important. Hungary’s future direction will influence not only its own democratic health but the stability and unity of the European Union as a whole. 24brussels.online