Hungary: Political Developments and Data in 2024. From Scandal to Shake-Up: The Rise of a New Opposition and the Re-Opening of the Political Competition

Hungary's political landscape underwent a significant transformation in 2024, marked by the emergence of the Respect and Freedom Party/ Tisztelet és Szabadság Párt (TISZA) as a major opposition force. Sparked by the ‘clemency scandal’, TISZA capitalised on public discontent and quickly rivalled the ruling Fidesz‐Hungarian Civic Union/ Fidesz‐Magyar Polgári Szövetség (Fidesz) party in the European parliamentary and local elections. While Fidesz maintained dominance in rural areas and national institutions, it lost ground in urban centres, particularly Budapest. The scandal led to high‐profile resignations, including President Katalin Novák and former Justice Minister Judit Varga. Institutional changes, such as constitutional amendments and the launch of the Sovereignty Protection Office, reflected shifting priorities. Key policy debates revolved around economic stagnation, healthcare, transportation and education. On the international stage, Hungary's EU Council presidency, support for Ukraine negotiations, and controversial diplomacy—particularly with Russia and China—drew mixed reactions, highlighting tensions between domestic sovereignty and EU integration.