Budapest, Hungary – Protests have surged in Budapest following the release of a leaked recording that has sparked accusations of corruption against top government officials. The tape, disclosed by Peter Magyar, a former government insider turned critic, has triggered a wave of public discontent and calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his chief prosecutor. This scandal is the latest blow to Orban’s populist government, which has faced long-standing criticism of corruption allegations.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Budapest on Tuesday, demanding accountability from Orban’s administration amidst allegations of systemic corruption. The public outcry has intensified, putting pressure on the nationalist leader who has held power since 2010. This unrest marks one of the most significant challenges to Orban’s authority in recent years.
The protests in Hungary escalated earlier in February following revelations of a controversial pardon issued by the president to an individual linked to covering up child sexual abuse at a state-run orphanage. The ensuing public outrage led to the resignations of close Orban allies, including the president and the former justice minister, Judit Varga. Magyar, who is Varga’s ex-husband and a former Fidesz party affiliate, has now emerged as a whistleblower seeking to expose corruption within the government.
In a bid to substantiate his claims, Magyar published a recorded conversation with Varga on Facebook, where she allegedly detailed attempts by Orban’s aides to influence a corruption case involving a former justice ministry official. While Varga did not deny the authenticity of the recording, she accused Magyar of coercion and domestic violence, claiming she made the statements under duress.
The Metropolitan Public Prosecutor’s Office in Budapest has taken possession of the recording for further investigation. Prosecutors are expected to address the public and shed light on the developments this Thursday. Varga’s response, coupled with Magyar’s political aspirations to form a new pro-EU party, have deepened the political turmoil in Hungary, where opposition to Orban’s governance has struggled to mount a significant challenge to his “illiberal” policies that critics argue undermine democracy and Western values.
The ongoing protests and revelations of corruption have placed Orban’s administration under intense scrutiny, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic principles and accountability within the Hungarian government. As the situation unfolds, the outcome of the public outcry and the response from authorities will likely shape the political landscape in Hungary and its standing on the international stage.