Hungary: Political Developments and Data in 2023

Abstract

Both material and symbolic issues were on the national political agenda in 2023. While education, the economy and health care were the most contested policy areas, the Fidesz government continued its campaigns against LGBTQ rights, migration and liberal values. Crucially, the government and its left-liberal opposition vehemently criticised each other for their uncritical pro-Eastern and pro-Western stance, respectively. Fidesz maintained its massive lead in polls, the share of undecided voters rapidly increased, while three new parties appeared in the political arena. The Hungarian government reached an agreement with the European Commission to release the largest part of the funds (€10 billion) blocked due to rule of law concerns. Additionally, the government successfully blocked the Finnish and Swedish NATO membership for the better part of the year, inviting fierce international criticism. New local election rules further accentuated the major weakness of the Hungarian opposition ahead of the 2024 local elections—fragmentation.