The Hungarian government is attempting to increase pressure on the opposition by utilizing diplomacy and intelligence capabilities abroad, reports Reuters
According to sources within the publication, a representative of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — a Member of the European Parliament and close associate of government official András László — recently visited the United States with a secret purpose. His main objective was to obtain information that could serve as a tool for exerting pressure on political opponents ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 2026. According to sources in law enforcement and diplomatic circles, László and his team tried to meet with representatives of the U.S. administration to gather data on the activities of international organizations, including aid agencies such as USAID. The goal of this intelligence effort was to collect information about American programs that fund Hungarian civil initiatives and independent media. Reuters reports that the Hungarian delegation sought to learn as much as possible about these organizations and their staff, with the intent to use this information later to strengthen political repression. Migration and diplomatic circles expressed concern over the intentions of the Hungarian side. American officials noted that such requests raise serious concerns due to the risks of human rights violations and restrictions on freedoms. They refused to provide any detailed information, emphasizing the importance of maintaining independence and transparency in the sphere of civil initiatives. In response to this situation, on Friday, May 16, László openly told Reuters that many organizations in Hungary receiving funding from USAID have a “very political character” and significantly influence the country’s political climate. He emphasized that these organizations play an important role in the modern political system and oppose the government, which, according to him, should be taken into account when analyzing their activities. Political initiatives of the Hungarian government have also attracted attention. On Tuesday, May 13, Fidesz — the ruling party that pursues policies aimed at increasing control over the civil sector — introduced a bill to the parliament that would give the state the authority to create lists of organizations receiving foreign funding. Under the new law, authorities would have the right to restrict or even ban the activities of such groups if they are deemed a threat to national security or cultural integrity. Critics are already comparing this legislation to Russian laws, particularly the law on foreign agents, which serves to restrict and discredit activists and independent media. They emphasize that this could become a tool for political pressure and the restriction of civil society in Hungary, contradicting European values and standards. Thus, the situation surrounding the Macedonian state administration and its policies regarding control over the civil sector and funding increasingly resembles scenarios of authoritarian regimes seeking to tighten control over society under the guise of “protecting national interests.” Meanwhile, discussions are underway in Washington regarding possible responses, and many fear that the secret intelligence initiatives of the Hungarian government could lead to restrictions on citizens’ rights and freedoms, as well as further deepen division within the European community.