Fidesz – Magyar Polgári Szövetség és Kereszténydemokrata Néppárt (Fidesz–KDNP)

EU RANK: 198 (Tier 5: High Risk)

Fidesz–KDNP is Hungary’s dominant right‑wing, national‑conservative governing alliance under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, combining majoritarian nationalism, social conservatism and selective welfare with Eurosceptic, “illiberal” governance. It has held power almost continuously since 2010, reshaping institutions, the constitution and the media landscape to entrench its rule.​

Disinformation and alternative media

The Fidesz ecosystem encompasses state media, party‑aligned private outlets and extensive online networks that disseminate polarising narratives about migration, “Brussels”, George Soros, LGBT rights and the opposition. Domestic and international monitoring from 2015–2025 consistently identifies government‑controlled media as central producers and amplifiers of disinformation and propaganda, often blurring lines between news and political advertising. Coordinated smear campaigns against opponents, NGOs and independent institutions frequently rely on misleading or false claims. Disinformation/alternative media DMI risk is high.

Foreign influence and external alignments

Fidesz formally keeps Hungary in the EU and NATO but cultivates close political and economic ties with Russia and China while questioning EU sanctions, rule‑of‑law conditionality and some collective security decisions. Litigation and investigative material document cases involving opaque energy, infrastructure and financial deals with Russian and Chinese state‑linked entities, raising concerns that strategic sectors and narratives are vulnerable to foreign influence, even if direct party financing from these states is not transparently proven. Government‑controlled media regularly echo Kremlin‑friendly and Beijing‑friendly talking points, particularly on Ukraine, energy and “sovereignty”. Foreign influence DMI risk is high.

Media capture, advertising and public service media

Fidesz has engineered one of Europe’s most extensive systems of media capture: public broadcaster MTVA effectively functions as state propaganda, while a large share of private outlets has been consolidated into a pro‑government conglomerate enjoying privileged state advertising. Legal changes, ownership transfers to party‑aligned oligarchs and selective distribution of public advertising have marginalised independent outlets and created a strongly unbalanced media environment. Editorial independence in public service media is severely compromised, and self‑censorship is widespread. Media capture, advertising and PSB‑control DMI risk is high.

Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity

Litigation records from 2015–2025 describe numerous high‑profile corruption, procurement and conflict‑of‑interest cases involving Fidesz‑linked politicians and oligarchs, many focusing on EU funds, public tenders and strategic sectors. While domestic law‑enforcement often fails to pursue these cases effectively, EU bodies and investigative journalists have documented systematic favouritism and enrichment of a narrow elite close to the prime minister. Hungary’s party‑ and state‑funding structures have been reshaped to benefit Fidesz–KDNP, blurring boundaries between party, state and business. DMI corruption and institutional integrity risk is high.

Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media

Independent and critical journalists in Hungary face a hostile environment: access restrictions, smear campaigns in pro‑government media, surveillance scandals (including Pegasus), and economic pressure through withdrawal of advertising and hostile takeovers. Fidesz leaders routinely attack critical outlets as “Soros agents”, “fake news” or enemies of national sovereignty, encouraging online harassment and delegitimisation, although direct physical violence is less common than structural and legal pressure. SLAPP‑style lawsuits, regulatory fines and selective law enforcement further chill investigative reporting. Press freedom and harassment DMI risk is high.

Dimension	Risk level	Short justification
Disinformation & alternative media	High	Extensive state‑aligned media and online networks systematically spread polarising and misleading narratives about migrants, EU, Soros, NGOs and opposition.
Foreign influence & external alignments	High	Maintains EU/NATO membership but cultivates deep ties with Russia and China; strategic deals and narratives raise strong concerns about foreign influence.
Media capture & advertising / PSB control	High	Public broadcaster turned into government mouthpiece; large private conglomerate under loyal oligarchs; state advertising used to reward allies and punish critics.
Corruption & institutional integrity risk	High	Numerous documented corruption and clientelist schemes around EU funds and public contracts benefiting Fidesz‑linked elites; weak domestic enforcement.
Press freedom & harassment of media	High	Structural harassment via smear campaigns, surveillance, SLAPPs, access restrictions and economic pressure against independent media.