Orbán: Prosecutor’s Office Confiscated Fidesz Servers, Crossing Democratic Norms

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned the confiscation of Fidesz servers by the prosecutor’s office as a severe crossing of democratic norms and political autocracy.

Violation of Democratic Norms

Orbán described the actions of the prosecutor’s office as a “violation of democratic norms,” according to the Index portal. The former Hungarian prime minister also commented on a constitutional amendment passed by parliament and signed by former President Tamás Sulyok. This amendment led to the removal of the Fidesz-appointed head of state, introduced a three-term limit for MPs, and set an upper age limit of 70 for judges of the Constitutional Court.

Democracy and Rule of Law

According to Orbán, the adoption of the amendment created a situation in Hungary where “democracy and the rule of law” no longer prevail. The politician stated that the changes excluded half of the opposition party representatives from public life, and that the removal of Sulyok and Péter Polt—the 70-year-old president of the Constitutional Court linked to Fidesz—occurred through legal changes targeted at specific individuals. Orbán declared that “political autocracy” has taken hold in the country, and the leader of the opposition Fidesz assessed that the successors of the removed officials will take office illegally.

Interim Presidency and Parliamentary Majority

Since Monday, Parliament Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer has been performing the duties of the temporary president of Hungary. Deputies must elect a new president within 30 days. MPs of the ruling Tisza party hold a constitutional majority of 141 out of 199 votes in parliament.

National Cultural Fund Scandal

The prosecutor’s office confirmed that the search of the Fidesz office was related to an investigation into irregularities allegedly occurring during Orbán’s rule, concerning the National Cultural Fund. In April, reports emerged that National Cultural Fund resources were distributed to individuals connected to Fidesz, with as many as several billion forints reportedly reaching them. In June, Balázs Bús, a former vice-president of the National Cultural Fund and Fidesz activist, was detained.