Péter Magyar’s TISZA party secured a parliamentary majority in Hungary, promising to suspend state media and address media politicization.
Situation of Media in Hungary
Prior to the elections, the International Press Institute reported that Hungary’s media regulatory system is the most politicized within the European Union. Estimates suggest the government directly or indirectly controls 80 percent of the media market after 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s rule.
Campaign Restrictions for Magyar
During the campaign, Péter Magyar was unable to secure interviews with state media or participate in pre-election debates. TISZA reported that the last invitation from public television M1 or public radio Kossuth Radio was received in September 2024.
State Media’s Response to Inquiry
When asked about the lack of an invitation for the TISZA leader, Hungarian public media responded by requesting information about the news outlet’s foreign funding sources and their contribution to its operations, avoiding a direct answer regarding the campaign.
Human Rights Watch Recommendations
Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the new Hungarian government to immediately suspend the operations of the Authority for the Protection of Sovereignty and repeal the law establishing it. The Authority, created in 2023, has broad powers to investigate, including journalists.
HRW emphasized that the office has “repeatedly harassed civil society organizations and media critical of the government, including the anti-corruption organization Transparency International.”
Hungarian Parliamentary Election Results
Preliminary data from the Hungarian National Election Office, after counting nearly 99 percent of the votes, indicates that TISZA will hold 138 seats in the 199-member parliament. This provides a majority needed to amend the constitution and laws passed by the Orbán government.
Fidesz-KDNP and Other Parties
The Fidesz-KDNP coalition is expected to receive 55 mandates. The far-right Our Homeland Movement (MiHazánk) is also projected to gain representation in parliament, potentially securing six seats.