Momentum Mozgalom (Momentum Movement)
EU RANK: 20 (Tier 1: Top Performance)
Momentum is a liberal, pro‑European, centrist party that emerged from a civic movement opposing Budapest’s 2024 Olympic bid and now advocates rule of law, anti‑corruption reforms, civil liberties and closer EU integration. It attracts younger urban voters and has become one of the main opposition forces, positioned against Fidesz’s illiberal governance.
Disinformation and alternative media
Momentum communicates via mainstream independent outlets, its own online platforms and some sympathetic investigative and liberal media; it does not control large alternative‑media ecosystems. Research on 2020–2025 Hungarian media shows the party more often targeted by pro‑government propaganda and disinformation—especially around alleged foreign control or “anti‑national” agendas—than identified as a source of organised false narratives. Its communication strategy emphasises fact‑checking, policy detail and cooperation with watchdog NGOs. Disinformation/alternative media DMI risk is low.
Foreign influence and external alignments
The party is strongly pro‑EU and pro‑NATO, calling for alignment with EU rule‑of‑law standards and a clear stance against Russian aggression in Ukraine. Litigation and investigative material from 2015–2025 contains government‑allied accusations that Momentum serves foreign interests, but no credible evidence of illicit financing or operational control by hostile states has been substantiated in court. Funding is rooted in Hungary’s party‑finance framework, small donations and EU‑linked party family cooperation rather than opaque foreign patrons. Foreign influence DMI risk is low.
Media capture, advertising and public service media
Momentum has no ownership stakes in major media and operates in an environment where public broadcaster MTVA and many private outlets are aligned with the Fidesz government. The party advocates de‑politicisation of public service media, transparent state‑advertising rules and stronger protections for independent outlets, but currently wields little institutional leverage to shape media governance. There is no indication it has attempted to capture media through advertising or appointments in municipalities it influences. Media capture, advertising and PSB‑control DMI risk is low.
Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity
Court and prosecutorial records through 2025 show no major corruption cases centred on Momentum’s leadership or finance structures; instead, several legal disputes involve Momentum politicians filing complaints against government corruption or defending themselves against politically tinged defamation suits. Party‑funding analysis depicts a relatively small budget based on public subsidies, membership fees and transparent donations, with no dominant oligarch sponsors. The party’s core narrative is anti‑corruption and institutional renewal, and there is little evidence contradicting that profile so far. DMI corruption and institutional integrity risk is low.
Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media
Momentum consistently backs independent journalism, condemns state capture of media and opposes harassment or legal intimidation of reporters. It maintains cooperative relations with critical and investigative outlets and does not engage in smear campaigns or SLAPP‑type lawsuits against journalists; rather, its politicians are frequent plaintiffs or witnesses in cases documenting constraints on press freedom under Fidesz. Public statements emphasise strengthening media‑freedom guarantees within Hungary’s constitutional framework and the EU. Press freedom and harassment DMI risk is low.
| Dimension | Risk level | Short justification |
|---|---|---|
| Disinformation & alternative media | Low | Relies on mainstream and own digital channels; more often a target of pro‑government disinfo than an organiser of false‑news campaigns. |
| Foreign influence & external alignments | Low | Strongly pro‑EU/NATO and anti‑Kremlin; no substantiated evidence of hostile‑state funding or control despite government rhetoric. |
| Media capture & advertising / PSB control | Low | No media ownership or control over PSB; advocates de‑capture and transparent advertising rather than using leverage for partisan gain. |
| Corruption & institutional integrity risk | Low | No major corruption scandals; finances small and transparent, centred on public subsidies and small donations. |
| Press freedom & harassment of media | Low | Supports independent media and legal protections; no pattern of harassment or punitive lawsuits against journalists. |