Orbán and his party have voted in favor of a series of constitutional changes that have sparked deep concern both within Hungary and internationally.
These amendments grant authorities the power to use facial recognition technology to identify protesters and potentially punish them, raising serious questions about the country’s commitment to democracy and civil liberties.
Part of this legislation also includes a ban on Pride events, which have long been a contentious issue in Hungary.
According to Marlene Wind, professor and director of the Centre for European Politics at the University of Copenhagen, this is yet another sign that the Hungarian government is moving in a more authoritarian direction. “It’s yet another example of the screws being tightened in Hungary. It’s another step toward authoritarianism,” she told Danish broadcaster DR.
The constitutional changes not only allow authorities to target demonstrators and LGBTQ+ events, but also make it possible to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals deemed a threat to Hungary.
According to Orbán’s government, these measures are necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty and morals, but critics view them as an attempt to suppress opposition and civil society.
These laws come at a time when political opposition to Orbán is growing. While his party, Fidesz, still holds a majority in parliament, polls show that Orbán is more challenged than ever. Opposition leader Péter Magyar has gained support, particularly among younger voters who are increasingly politically engaged.
According to Marlene Wind, the mood in Hungary is shifting: “Where there used to be widespread apathy, we’re now seeing a change. Magyar seems to have succeeded in reaching voters in a way that I don’t think Orbán anticipated.”
Public Demonstrations
Although Orbán remains in control, there are signs that a growing segment of the population is becoming weary of his authoritarian leadership. Weekend demonstrations, where thousands turned out in support of LGBTQ+ rights and opposition rallies, indicate that more and more Hungarians are questioning the government’s direction.
It is still too early to predict what the future holds, but the political struggle in Hungary is intensifying. Whether Orbán can maintain his grip on power ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections remains an open question. He may now be facing his greatest challenge yet, both domestically and on the international stage.
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