The Democratic Unraveling of Hungary

Madelyn Murray

Threats to democracy are not always outside factors, when observing the democratic backsliding in Hungary, it is clear the threat is from within. A nation that was once a democratic success story is slowly transitioning into an autocratic rule.

The return of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and his party, Fidesz, have concentrated their power in the executive branch. While doing so, electoral integrity, freedom of press, and more key democratic safeguards have been weakened.

Tracing the Democratic Shift

 Hungary transitioned into a democracy after the Cold War along with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The nation served as a role model for surrounding countries in the EU, who were recovering from the strong grip the Soviets had on them. In order to rebuild a stronger, more efficient government, Hungary implemented multiparty elections, constitutional protections for civil liberties, along with checks and balances.

For nearly two decades, Hungary was on an upward path in providing more civil liberties, cleaner elections, and academic freedom for its citizens.

 2010 was the beginning of Hungary’s democratic backsliding, with the election of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán implemented a new constitution for the nation which reshaped media oversight bodies, the judiciary, and electoral laws.

Political scientists like Waldner and Lust believe that democratic backsliding occurs through a discontinuous series of incremental actions. This process unfolds legally and incrementally, rather than a large coup or overthrow of the government.

This belief is confirmed when observing Orbán taking control of the constitutional court by only appointing his own loyalists into key judicial positions. Additionally he has been placing heavy restrictions on independent media outlets.

Over time, Orbán continues to demonstrate how agency can drive systemic change throughout the nation.

The Mechanics of Hungary’s Democratic Erosion

Reports by organizations such as Freedom House give an effective outline of Hungary’s democratic decline. As of now, Hungary is classified as partly free, scoring only 24/40 for political rights and 41/60 for civil liberties. For the past few years, these ratings continue to go down.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights deemed the 2022 Parliamentary Elections severely flawed. While the elections were smooth, there was absolutely no level playing field present.

Opposition parties faced constant and extreme obstacles when running against Viktor Orbán. News coverage was significantly biased, with Fidesz and its allies controlling roughly 80% of the media landscape. The opposition parties banding together to be one unified slate of candidates were no match for Orbán and his uncanny ability to control the narratives of the election.

Media bias during an election year in Hungary consists of coordinated attacks from pro-government media, politically motivated audits, and a campaign landscape tilted by the ruling coalition’s use of state resources

Considering the media bias as well as the absence of any political debate between Orbán and his opposition, voters were unable to make an informed choice of their future Prime Minister.

It is also important to consider the decline in civil liberties in Hungary, which also includes media outlets, as well as academic freedom, religious freedom, and freedom of expression.

Orbán and his party has kept a close watch on schools and universities. This includes excessive influence on school curriculums, restructured institutions and budgets, all according to what the government deems necessary.

Government control over academia weakens democracy by limiting not only the teaching, but spread of independent knowledge. The purpose of higher education is to test new ideas as well as providing critiques to old norms in order to improve them. Controlling the curriculum creates a compliant society, vulnerable to the authoritative rules of the corrupt governing regime.

In regards to religious freedom, the constitutional guarantee to separation of church and state was weakened by the altered 2011 constitution, which makes direct references to Christianity. In recent years Constitutional Amendments have provided an increase of protections and rights for “Christian culture”. On the other hand, the increase in protections also comes with government led xenophobic campaigns, along with anti-Muslim langauge.

Declines in religious freedom erodes fundamental rights for Hungarian civilians. The government is supposed to be a role model for its society, if the government demonstrates bias when it comes to religion, society will follow suit. This will inevitably lead to societal division as well as marginalization of minority faiths.

 Although the constitution guarantees freedom of expression, there are continued governmental led attempts to silence politically sensitive speech and perspectives. Those ideas sidelined come from media outlets, universities, NGOs, and more.

 The desire from Orbán to control the narrative of not only the media, but the citizens of Hungary is the only way he will be able to remain in power. If citizens are able to make informed decisions based on unbiased media outlets and news, Orbán and his party would be ordered out of office by the next day.

Lessons from Hungary

 The democratic backsliding in Hungary is certainly reversible, and it serves as a learning opportunity for the world as to what can happen when a country re-elects a corrupt leader. The United States is facing a similar dilemma right now. There is hope that Hungary can return to their once democratic regime, however, many changes need to be made.

 First it is vital that Hungary strengthens their judicial independence, as well as remove the Fidesz loyalists who currently hold high power in the judicial system. Without independent courts, the executive power becomes difficult to check, weakening checks and balances.

 Protecting the media is another important line on the long list of steps Hungary needs to take in order to return to a democracy. Democracy depends on its citizens being able to consume unbiased and independent information. The government should be able to be critiqued by the media, it increases transparency.

 There are many other policy changes needed to be made. Starting with bringing back a proper checks and balances system as well as independent media outlets is a step in the right direction. One step in the right direction is enough momentum to bring more policy changes, and hopefully, bring back democracy.