Challenges Faced by Viktor Orbán: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Viktor Orbán. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Viktor Orbán is a prominent Hungarian politician and lawyer, currently serving as the Prime Minister of Hungary since 2010, a position he also held from 1998 to 2002. He has been the leader of the Fidesz party since 2003, and before that from 1993 to 2000. Orbán secured re-election as prime minister in 2014, 2018, and 2022, solidifying his long-standing influence in Hungarian politics. In November 2020, he became Hungary's longest-serving prime minister.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1920: The Trianon Treaty

The 1920 Trianon Treaty was a significant event that the 1999 "status law" aimed to address, due to its negative effects on ethnic Hungarian minorities in neighboring countries.

1956: Planned Demonstrations on Anniversary of 1956 Revolution

On 1 November, Orbán and his party announced plans to stage demonstrations across Hungary on the anniversary of the Soviet suppression of the 1956 Revolution. These events served as a memorial and protest, but the demonstrations were small and concluded by year's end.

1998: Bribery Scandal and dispute with Budapest City Council

In 1998, two of Viktor Orbán's state secretaries in the prime minister's office had to resign due to their implication in a bribery scandal involving Lockheed Martin Corporation. The government was also involved in a dispute with Budapest City Council regarding the cancellation of two major urban projects.

March 1999: Hungary Joins NATO

In March 1999, Hungary joined NATO along with the Czech Republic and Poland, after Russian objections were overruled. Hungary's membership in NATO demanded its involvement in the Kosovo crisis and modernization of its army. However, NATO membership also dealt a blow to the economy due to a trade embargo imposed on Yugoslavia.

1999: Passing of the "status law"

In 1999, Hungary garnered international media attention for passing the "status law" concerning ethnic Hungarian minorities in neighboring countries. The law aimed to provide education, health benefits, and employment rights, addressing the negative effects of the 1920 Trianon Treaty.

2000: Accusations of Anti-Europeanism

In 2000, opposition parties and the left-wing press criticized Orbán for his comment that "there's life outside the EU", interpreting it as anti-European sentiment and sympathy for the radical right.

2001: Political Scandals and Coalition Breakup

Numerous political scandals during 2001 led to a breakup of the coalition that held power in Budapest. A bribery scandal in February triggered allegations and prosecutions against the Independent Smallholders' Party. József Torgyán was ousted from the FKGP presidency and the top post in the Ministry of Agriculture.

2002: Stagnated Public Support Before General Elections

In 2002, as general elections approached, public support for political parties generally stagnated. Opinion polls indicated that Fidesz and the main opposition Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) were running neck to neck, each attracting about 26% of the electorate.

October 2006: Referendum Procedure Started

On 23 October 2006, Orbán initiated the referendum procedure by announcing they would hand in seven questions to the National Electorate Office regarding government reforms.

2006: Parliamentary Election Failure

In the 2006 parliamentary election, Orbán, as the Fidesz candidate, failed to gain a majority, initially putting his political future as the leader of Fidesz in question.

2011: Controversial Constitutional Changes

In 2011, under Orbán's leadership, constitutional changes were enacted that were accused of centralizing power, curbing civil liberties, restricting freedom of speech, and weakening the Constitutional Court and judiciary.

November 2014: Proposed Internet Tax and Protests

In November 2014, Orbán proposed a controversial "internet tax" amid accusations of corruption, leading to numerous protests against his government, including one in Budapest.

December 2014: Questioning Nord Stream II

In December 2014, Viktor Orbán questioned Nord Stream II, a new Russia–Germany natural gas pipeline, asking for a "reasonable argument why South Stream was bad and Nord Stream is not".

2015: Soros Criticizes Orbán's Migrant Crisis Handling

In 2015, George Soros criticized Orbán's approach to the European migrant crisis, contrasting it with his own plan by saying that Orbán treats national borders as the objective and the refugees as an obstacle while Soros' plan treats the protection of refugees as the objective and national borders as the obstacle.

2015: Criticism of Merkel and Migrant Crisis Handling

In 2015, Orbán criticized Angela Merkel's decision to open Germany's borders to migrants. Conversely, he faced accusations of manipulating the 2015 European migrant crisis for political gain, including mistreating migrants in Hungary and encouraging far-right sentiments in Western Europe.

July 2017: Anti-Soros Billboard Campaign and Controversy

In July 2017, the Israeli ambassador in Hungary, along with Jewish groups, denounced a government-backed billboard campaign against George Soros, likening it to Nazi propaganda. Subsequently, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a clarification denouncing Soros. This occurred before Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Hungary.

2017: Deterioration of Relations with Ukraine

Since 2017, Hungary's relations with Ukraine rapidly deteriorated over the issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. Orbán repeatedly criticized Ukraine's 2017 education law, which makes Ukrainian the only language of education in state schools.

March 2020: Parliament Passes Legislation Creating State of Emergency

On 30 March 2020, the Hungarian parliament voted in favor of passing legislation that would create a state of emergency without a time limit and grant the prime minister the ability to rule by decree.

May 2020: European Court of Justice Ruling Against Migrant Transit Zones

In May 2020, the European Court of Justice ruled against Hungary's policy of migrant transit zones, which Orbán subsequently abolished while also tightening the country's asylum rules.

March 2022: Response to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In March 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Viktor Orbán decided to welcome Ukrainian refugees to Hungary and support Ukraine's EU membership. Initially, he condemned Russia's invasion and supported EU sanctions against Russia, but rejected sanctions on Russian energy due to Hungary's dependency on Russian fossil fuels.

July 2022: Controversial Speech at Bálványos Summer University

In July 2022, Orbán delivered a speech at the Bálványos Free Summer University, expressing views on migration and race that were widely criticized. Zsuzsa Hegedűs, his senior advisor, resigned in protest, describing the speech as resembling "a pure Nazi text". Orbán later clarified his remarks in Vienna, focusing on cultures rather than race.

2022: Accusations of Antisemitism

In 2022, Orbán faced condemnation from the International Auschwitz Committee for comments perceived as discriminatory towards non-Europeans. Critics accused him of antisemitism, while supporters pointed to his establishment of Holocaust memorials as evidence to the contrary.

July 2024: Protests Against Shutdown of Petroleum Pipeline

In July 2024, after Zelensky shut down the overland pipeline transfer of petroleum products from Russia to Hungary, Orbán and his government protested this event strenuously, later rejecting Croatia's suggestion to use the Adria pipeline due to perceived unreliability.

October 2024: Addressed the European Parliament

In October 2024, Viktor Orbán, as Premier of Hungary, addressed the European Parliament. He faced criticism from Ursula von der Leyen and MEP Péter Magyar, among others, regarding support for Ukraine, Hungary's economy, government corruption and declining living standards.