EditMassive protests erupt in Budapest against Orbán’s draconian law targeting civil society
Orbán’s government explicitly links the legislation to countering alleged “Ukrainian propaganda"
Tens of thousands of Hungarians flooded Budapest’s Kossuth Square on Sunday evening (18 May), rallying against a controversial bill proposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party that threatens to throttle civil society organizations and independent media.
As reported by the Hungarian news portal 444.hu and covered by European Pravda, the demonstration—one of the largest in recent years—saw protesters gather in front of the parliament building to denounce what critics call a Russian-style “foreign agents” law aimed at stifling dissent.
With Orbán’s government explicitly linking the legislation to countering alleged “Ukrainian propaganda,” the move has sparked outrage among Hungarians and raised alarm across the European Union, where fears of democratic backsliding in Hungary are intensifying ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections.
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The bill, submitted by Fidesz on 13 May, seeks to restrict foreign funding for civil society groups and media outlets deemed a “threat to Hungary’s sovereignty.” It would allow the government to blacklist organizations, monitor their financial transactions, and potentially shut them down, while also stripping them of access to a 1% income tax donation scheme critical for their survival.
Over 100 Hungarian organizations, including Amnesty International, Transparency International, and leading independent news sites like 444.hu and Telex, signed an open letter condemning the proposal as a blatant attack on democratic freedoms.
“This is not about transparency but about crushing the last remnants of independent voices,” the letter stated, drawing parallels to Russia’s 2012 law used to silence NGOs and media. Protesters echoed this sentiment, with many waving EU flags and chanting slogans like “We are not Russia!” and “Defend democracy!”
The scale of the protest, which filled Kossuth Square to capacity, underscored growing public frustration with Orbán’s 15-year rule. Demonstrators, ranging from young activists to retirees, vowed to return next week, signalling a sustained resistance movement.
“This law is a death sentence for free speech,” said Anna, a 27-year-old teacher, holding a sign reading “No to Orbán’s dictatorship.” The Two-Tailed Dog Party, a satirical political group that has gained traction for its creative protests, helped organize the rally, urging Hungarians to “stand up before it’s too late.”
For the EU, the stakes are colossal. Hungary, a member since 2004, has been a persistent thorn in the bloc’s side, with Orbán repeatedly vetoing sanctions on Russia, blocking aid to Ukraine, and clashing with Brussels over rule-of-law violations.
The proposed law could further erode Hungary’s democratic institutions, already weakened by Orbán’s control over courts, media, and academia. A Fidesz victory in 2026 could entrench this trajectory, creating a semi-authoritarian state within the EU and emboldening Eurosceptic leaders in Poland, Slovakia, and Italy. The bill’s anti-Ukraine rhetoric—tying civil society to alleged “Ukrainian propaganda”—threatens to undermine the EU’s unified support for Kyiv, especially as Hungary has opposed Ukraine’s EU accession and maintained ties with Moscow. “Orbán is testing the EU’s resolve,” said political analyst Zsuzsanna Végh. “If this law passes, it could normalize authoritarian tactics across the region.”
Economically, the law risks isolating Hungary further. The EU has already frozen €20 billion in funds over Hungary’s democratic violations, and a crackdown on NGOs and media could trigger additional sanctions or even a rare Article 7 process to suspend Hungary’s voting rights. Foreign investors, wary of political instability, may pull back, with the forint already down 1.5% against the euro since the bill’s introduction. The law could also deter international NGOs, many of which rely on foreign grants to operate in Hungary, stifling civil society’s role in areas like human rights and environmental protection.
The timing of Orbán’s move is no coincidence. With the 2026 elections looming, Fidesz faces an unprecedented challenge from the Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, a former Fidesz insider whose anti-corruption platform has eroded the ruling party’s lead. Opinion polls show Tisza neck-and-neck with Fidesz, and Magyar’s rallies have drawn thousands, amplifying calls for democratic renewal. Orbán’s bill appears designed to neutralize Tisza’s momentum by targeting its allies in civil society and media, which have been critical in exposing government corruption. “This is Orbán’s preemptive strike to rig the playing field,” said opposition MP Ákos Hadházy.
The protests also reflect broader discontent with Orbán’s recent authoritarian measures, including a March 2025 law banning LGBTQ+ Pride events and constitutional amendments curbing dual nationals’ rights. These moves, coupled with the new bill, have galvanized a diverse coalition of students, journalists, and activists. On 9 April, thousands blocked Budapest’s Erzsébet Bridge to protest the Pride ban, defying police orders, while demonstrations have spread to cities like Miskolc.
The EU, already grappling with Hungary’s vetoes, faces a dilemma: how to counter Orbán’s tactics without alienating Hungarian voters, 60% of whom still support EU membership. “The EU must act decisively, or Hungary risks becoming a blueprint for illiberalism,” warned a European Parliament official.
As Budapest braces for more protests, the clash between Orbán’s government and its critics is escalating. Fidesz defends the bill as a safeguard against “foreign interference,” with MP János Halász claiming it protects Hungary’s sovereignty. Yet, for the EU, the law is a red line, threatening the bloc’s democratic values and its ability to function cohesively.
Sources: European Pravda, 444.hu, Reuters, Politico, the Guardian, NBC News
Caption: People attend a demonstration against the adoption of the public transparency bill in front of the Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, 18 May 2025. [EPA-EFE/ZOLTAN BALOGH]
Updated: May 19, 2025 - 06:25
