Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Viktor Orbán

Public opinion and media debates around Viktor Orbán—discover key moments of controversy.

Viktor Orbán is a prominent Hungarian political figure, serving as Prime Minister of Hungary since 2010, and previously from 1998 to 2002. He has led the Fidesz party since 2003 (and earlier, 1993-2000). Re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022, Orbán became Hungary's longest-serving prime minister in November 2020. His long tenure signifies a substantial influence on Hungarian politics and society.

Sections (6)

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

1998: Bribery Scandal and Urban Project Cancellation

In 1998, Two of Orbán's state secretaries in the prime minister's office had to resign in May, due to their implication in a bribery scandal involving the American military manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corporation. The government was also involved in cancelling two major urban projects: the construction of a new national theatre.

1999: Hungary passes "status law"

In 1999, Hungary garnered international attention for enacting the "status law". This law aimed to extend education, health benefits, and employment rights to approximately three million ethnic Hungarian minorities residing in neighboring Romania, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

2000: Orbán's comment on life outside the EU

In 2000, opposition parties and the left-wing press interpreted Orbán's comment that "there's life outside the EU" as a sign of his anti-Europeanism.

2001: Political Influence in the Media

During 2001, a report criticized the Hungarian government for improper political influence in the media, and numerous political scandals led to a breakup of the coalition. A bribery scandal in February triggered allegations and prosecutions against the Independent Smallholders' Party.

2010: Decline in various indices

Between 2010 and 2020, Hungary experienced a decline in the Press Freedom Index, the Democracy Index, and the Corruption Perceptions Index.

2010: Policies Undermining Democracy

Since 2010, when Viktor Orbán resumed office, his policies have undermined democracy, weakened judicial independence, increased corruption, and curtailed press freedom in Hungary.

2011: Purchase of Hatvanpuszta Estate

In 2011, Hatvanpuszta, a historic estate, was purchased by a company owned by Viktor Orbán’s father, Orbán Győző. The estate underwent redevelopment, sparking controversy and allegations of secrecy.

2011: New Constitution Drafted

In 2011, Orbán's government drafted a new constitution behind closed doors, debated it for only nine days in parliament, and passed it on a party line. He would go on to amend the constitution twelve times in his first year in office.

2013: Constitutional and Legislative Reforms

In 2013, during Viktor Orbán's second premiership, several controversial constitutional and legislative reforms were made, including amendments to the Constitution of Hungary.

January 2014: Agreement on Paks II Nuclear Power Plant

On 14 January 2014, Viktor Orbán signed an agreement with Vladimir Putin in Moscow for the Paks II nuclear power plant (NPP). Rosatom would develop the NPP, and Hungary was to finance the plant by borrowing from Russia.

July 2014: Orbán articulates illiberalism ideology

In July 2014, during a speech in Băile Tușnad, Romania, Viktor Orbán publicly articulated an ideology of illiberalism.

November 2014: Proposed Internet Tax and Protests

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

2015: Hungary–Serbia barrier

During the 2015 European migrant crisis, Orbán ordered the erection of the Hungary–Serbia barrier to block entry of illegal immigrants so that Hungary could register all the migrants arriving from Serbia.

2015: George Soros criticizes Orbán's handling of the European migrant crisis

In 2015, George Soros criticized Orbán's handling of the European migrant crisis, arguing that Orbán prioritized border protection over the protection of refugees.

2015: Orbán criticizes EU immigration policy

In 2015, Orbán criticized the European Union's immigration policy in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, calling it "madness" and demanded an official EU list of "safe countries".

2015: Accusations of engineering the European migrant crisis

In 2015, Orbán was accused of engineering the European migrant crisis for political gain by mistreating migrants and sending them to Western Europe to fuel far-right sympathies.

2015: Orbán's stance on migration becomes mainstream

In 2015, The New York Times acknowledged that Viktor Orbán's stance on migration was slowly becoming mainstream in European politics. György Konrád, an ardent critic of Orbán, stated that Orbán was right and Merkel was wrong concerning the handling of the migrant crisis at that time.

2015: Hungary no longer ranked as a democratic country

In her 2015 article on Orbán's illiberal democracy, Abby Innes stated that "Hungary can no longer be ranked a democratic country".

2016: Orbán's political system called a kleptocracy

In 2016, Kenneth Krushel called Orbán's political system a kleptocracy in The New York Times, alleging that wealth is channeled into the pockets of Orbán and his associates.

July 2017: Controversy over Anti-Soros Billboard Campaign

In July 2017, the Israeli ambassador in Hungary, along with Jewish groups and others, denounced a government-backed billboard campaign targeting George Soros, claiming it evoked memories of Nazi posters. Later, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a clarification denouncing Soros for undermining Israel. These anti-Soros messages became key elements of the government's communication and campaign and targeted the Central European University (CEU).

2017: Comparison to Russian Oligarchs

In 2017, a Financial Times article compared the Hungarian elite under Orbán's government to Russian oligarchs, noting that Hungary's "Oligarchs" under Orbán largely benefit from EU subsidies.

2018: Orbán's speech at meeting of municipal association

In 2018, Orbán expressed at a municipal association meeting his opposition to diversity and mixing of national cultures.

2018: Remarks on Christian Europe and Cultural Replacement

In a 2018 speech, Orbán expressed concern over the potential end of Christian Europe, suggesting some seek to transform Europe by replacing its cultural foundations with new ethnic groups not rooted in Christian culture.

March 2019: Fidesz Suspended from EPP

In March 2019, Fidesz was suspended from the European People's Party.

2019: Freedom House downgrades Hungary

In 2019, Freedom House downgraded Hungary from "free" to "partly free".

2019: Orbán's statement on immigration and Hungarian children

In 2019, Orbán stated that immigration is the West's solution to population issues, but Hungary needs Hungarian children, not just numbers. He emphasized pro-natalist policies over immigration.

March 2020: Legislation Passed Creating State of Emergency

On 30 March 2020, the Hungarian parliament passed legislation creating a state of emergency without a time limit, granting the prime minister the ability to rule by decree.

May 2020: Court rules 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.

June 2020: State of Emergency Ended

On 16 June 2020, the Hungarian parliament passed a bill ending the state of emergency effective 19 June. However, on the same day, a new law was passed removing the requirement of parliamentary approval for future "medical" states of emergencies.

2020: Decline in various indices

Between 2010 and 2020, Hungary experienced a decline in the Press Freedom Index, the Democracy Index, and the Corruption Perceptions Index.

March 2021: Fidesz Left the EPP

In March 2021, Fidesz left the EPP over a dispute over new rule-of-law language in the latter's bylaws.

October 2021: Orbán blames EU Green Deal for energy prices surge

In October 2021, Viktor Orbán blamed a surge in energy prices on the European Commission's Green Deal plans.

2021: Ranking in Electoral Democracy Index

In 2021, the V-Dem Democracy indices ranked Hungary 96th in its "electoral democracy index", placing it between Benin and Malaysia.

2021: Control of State Universities Transferred

In 2021, the parliament transferred control of 11 state universities to foundations led by allies of Orbán. The Mathias Corvinus Collegium received an influx of government funds and assets.

2021: Comments on Bosnia

In a 2021 speech, Orbán said "The challenge with Bosnia is how to integrate a country with 2 million Muslims," resulting in calls for his visit to Sarajevo to be cancelled. His statement was characterized as "xenophobic and racist".

March 2022: Response to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

In March 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Orbán welcomed Ukrainian refugees to Hungary and supported Ukraine's EU membership. He initially condemned the invasion and supported EU sanctions against Russia, but rejected sanctions on Russian energy due to Hungary's dependence on it. Later, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Orbán for supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and providing asylum.

April 2022: Fidesz party wins election

In April 2022, Orbán's Fidesz party won 54% of the vote but 83% of the districts due to gerrymandering and other electoral rule changes.

May 2022: Orbán Promotes Great Replacement Conspiracy Theory

In May 2022, Orbán promoted the Great Replacement conspiracy theory in a speech, sparking controversy.

July 2022: Controversial Speech at Bálványos Free Summer University

In July 2022, Viktor Orbán delivered a speech at the 31st Bálványos Free Summer University and Student Camp, expressing views on migration and race that were widely condemned. Zsuzsa Hegedűs, one of Orbán's senior advisers, described the speech as "a pure Nazi text" and resigned. Orbán stated that "we are willing to mix with one another, but we do not want to become peoples of mixed-race". The speech drew condemnation from the Romanian foreign ministry and other European leaders.

July 2022: Remarks on Race Mixing

In July 2022, while in Romania, Orbán echoed Jean Raspail's ideas against the 'mixing' of European and non-European races, stating Hungarians do not want to become a mixed race. He later clarified in Vienna that he was referring to cultures, not race.

2022: Accusations of Antisemitism and Condemnation by International Auschwitz Committee

In 2022, Viktor Orbán faced accusations of antisemitism and was condemned by the International Auschwitz Committee for comments criticizing mixing "with non-Europeans." The Committee called on the EU to distance itself from "Orbán's racist undertones." Defenders argued his actions, like founding the Holocaust Memorial Center, countered antisemitism claims. He has also been accused of rehabilitating antisemitic Hungarian historical figures and of exploiting antisemitism.

2022: European Parliament's Statement on Hungary's Democracy

In 2022, the European Parliament stated that "Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy" and that the country has become an "electoral autocracy".

February 2023: Support for Chinese Peace Plan

On 27 February 2023, Viktor Orbán voiced Hungary's support for the Chinese peace plan concerning the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, despite the disapproval of Western leaders. The statement, including criticism of unilateral sanctions, was seen as an effort to reduce risks tied to nuclear weapons in Central and Eastern Europe.

2023: Hungary as the most corrupt country in the EU

According to Transparency International, Hungary was the most corrupt country in the European Union in 2023.

2023: Support for Israel in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War

In 2023, the Hungarian government voiced support for Israel amidst the Israel-Hamas war. On 13 October, Orbán affirmed Israel's right to self-defense. On 22 October, Máté Kocsis announced Fidesz would propose a parliamentary manifesto condemning Hamas terrorism.

July 2024: Pipeline Dispute with Ukraine and Croatia

In July 2024, after Zelensky shut down the overland pipeline transferring Russian petroleum products to Hungary, Orbán protested. When Croatia offered the Adria pipeline as an alternative, Orbán rejected it, citing unreliability.

October 2024: Criticism at the European Parliament

In October 2024, during Hungary's EU presidency, Orbán faced criticism at the European Parliament. Ursula von der Leyen accused him of not supporting Ukraine and mismanaging Hungary's economy. MEP Péter Magyar criticized Orbán's government for corruption and declining living standards.