Summary
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán lost power after 16 years, threatening financial support for right-wing groups in Britain and Europe. New Hungarian leaders plan to stop government funding for these groups, affecting think tanks and media outlets closely linked to Orbán’s government.
Key Facts
- Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party ruled Hungary for 16 years, supporting right-wing groups in Britain and Europe.
- Orbán’s government funded think tanks, media, and individuals that promoted hard-right, anti-immigration views.
- The Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), funded by Orbán’s government, backed British organizations like the Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation.
- British figures such as Michael Gove and advisers linked to Nigel Farage received support from Hungarian sources.
- MCC’s funding partly comes from the Hungarian energy company MOL, which buys most of its oil from Russia.
- Hungarian think tanks like the Danube Institute also provided money for media appearances by British political figures such as Lord Frost.
- Péter Magyar, Hungary’s prime minister-elect, said state funding for political groups should stop immediately.
- Many groups relying on Orbán’s support will have to find new backers following his defeat.
