Key facts
- János Bóka, leader of Fidesz in Hungary's Parliament, acknowledged that some criticism regarding democratic backsliding under Viktor Orbán's leadership was valid.
- Fidesz is prepared to collaborate with the new government on addressing corruption and strengthening democratic measures.
- Hungary is on track to receive over €10 billion in EU post-pandemic recovery funds, contingent on improved anti-corruption efforts.
- Péter Magyar's Tisza party secured a significant election victory, ending Orbán's 16-year tenure.
- Bóka supports reforms aimed at releasing EU funds and restoring the constitutional court's authority.
- The Fidesz leader criticized certain reforms by the new administration, including term limits for MPs and prime ministers.
János Bóka, the new leader of Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party in the Hungarian Parliament, has acknowledged that some criticisms regarding democratic backsliding during Orbán's tenure were valid. In a significant shift for the party, Bóka stated that Fidesz is ready to cooperate with the new government on these issues, as Hungary seeks to unlock over €10 billion in EU post-pandemic recovery funds. The European Commission had previously frozen these funds due to concerns over the rule of law.
Bóka, who previously served as the EU affairs minister, expressed support for implementing new regulations to release the funds and for restoring the constitutional court's competence. However, he also condemned certain reforms enacted by Prime Minister Péter Magyar's administration, including term limits for MPs and prime ministers, accusing the government of overstepping constitutional boundaries and engaging in "forceful hate propaganda."
The election in April saw Magyar's Tisza party win a landslide victory, ending Orbán's sixteen-year rule. Orbán himself remains president of Fidesz but has stepped back from the political frontline. Bóka indicated that Orbán is still the "center of gravity" for the party and that he intends to seek a two-thirds majority in the next election to overturn the new two-term limit for prime ministers, which would allow Orbán to run for office again. The Fidesz party is currently regrouping after its election defeat, with several top representatives, including former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and former Construction and Transport Minister János Lázár, having left prominent roles.