Magyar Szocialista Párt (MSZP – Hungarian Socialist Party)

EU RANK: 114 (Tier 3: Moderate Performance)

MSZP is a centre‑left social‑democratic party and successor to the former state‑socialist ruling party, advocating welfare‑state protection, workers’ rights and pro‑EU integration. Once a major governing force, it has sharply declined in vote share and now survives mainly through cooperation with other opposition parties in alliances.​

Disinformation and alternative media

MSZP communicates via remaining independent and opposition‑leaning outlets, plus its own online channels; it does not control a substantial alternative‑media network. Pro‑government media frequently attack MSZP over its pre‑2010 governing record, but available 2015–2025 research does not depict the party as a key organiser of systematic disinformation or conspiracy‑driven narratives. Its messaging focuses on social policy, pensions and criticism of Fidesz corruption rather than fabricated stories. Disinformation/alternative media DMI risk is low.

Foreign influence and external alignments

MSZP is firmly pro‑EU and pro‑NATO, aligned with European social‑democratic party families and supportive of sanctions on Russia and assistance to Ukraine. While pro‑government actors sometimes label it “party of Brussels”, litigation and party‑funding records up to 2025 show no substantiated hostile‑state funding or operational control. Its international ties are transparent programmatic alliances dating back to its long participation in European institutions. Foreign influence DMI risk is low.

Media capture, advertising and public service media

Historically, MSZP enjoyed significant influence over parts of the media landscape when in government before 2010, but under Fidesz’s entrenched media capture it now has virtually no leverage over public broadcaster MTVA or pro‑government conglomerates. It supports reforms to restore editorial independence, break up media concentration and regulate state advertising, and there is no recent evidence of MSZP using public advertising or appointments to shape media in municipalities where it still holds office. Media capture, advertising and PSB‑control DMI risk is moderate mainly due to historical legacy, though current capacity is limited.

Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity

MSZP’s reputation remains burdened by major corruption and mismanagement cases from its 2002–2010 governing period, which continue to feature in political discourse and some ongoing or legacy litigation. Since 2015, fewer large‑scale new scandals have been linked to the weakened party, but its historical record and occasional local‑level irregularities keep integrity concerns higher than for newer green or liberal forces. Funding depends on public subsidies, membership dues and donations, with some debt and reduced organisational capacity but no single dominant oligarch patron. DMI corruption and institutional integrity risk is moderate.

Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media

MSZP officially supports media freedom, condemns Fidesz’s capture of public media and private conglomerates, and cooperates with independent outlets and journalists critical of the government. There is no pattern since 2015 of MSZP directing harassment, smear campaigns or SLAPP‑type lawsuits at journalists; rather, it often highlights attacks on the press as evidence of democratic backsliding. Press freedom and harassment DMI risk is low.

Dimension	Risk level	Short justification
Disinformation & alternative media	Low	Uses mainstream and opposition media; not identified as organiser of systematic disinformation in 2015–2025 analyses.
Foreign influence & external alignments	Low	Pro‑EU/NATO social‑democratic party; no substantiated hostile‑state funding, ties mainly to European social‑democratic networks.
Media capture & advertising / PSB control	Moderate	Historical government‑era influence over media; today little leverage but legacy and past practices justify moderate concern.
Corruption & institutional integrity risk	Moderate	Burdened by serious pre‑2010 scandals and some ongoing cases; fewer major new scandals but historical record keeps risk elevated.
Press freedom & harassment of media	Low	Currently advocates media freedom and works with independent outlets; no recent pattern of harassment or punitive legal action against journalists.