Fidesz is a Hungarian political party that has been active since 1985. It was founded by József Antall and has since become one of the most influential parties in Hungarian politics [Source N]. Fidesz is known for its conservative and nationalist ideology, which emphasizes the importance of traditional values, national sovereignty, and strong economic policies [Source N].
In the early 1990s, Fidesz was a key player in the transition to democracy in Hungary. The party was instrumental in shaping the country's post-communist politics and has played a significant role in many high-profile political events, including the presidency of Viktor Orbán [Source N]. Under Orbán's leadership, Fidesz has become increasingly dominant in Hungarian politics, winning two consecutive general elections in 2010 and 2014 [Source N].
In recent years, Fidesz has faced criticism for its handling of various issues, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its policies on migration and asylum seekers, and its treatment of minority groups [Source N]. The party has also been accused of undermining democratic institutions and the rule of law in Hungary [Source N].
Despite these criticisms, Fidesz remains a significant force in Hungarian politics. The party's popularity has continued to grow in recent years, with many Hungarians supporting its conservative and nationalist agenda [Source N]. However, the party's dominance has also led to concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions and the suppression of minority rights [Source N].
In 2021, Fidesz left the European People's Party (EPP), a center-right political group in the European Parliament [Source N]. The party is currently seeking to find a new political home on the radical right [Source N]. Despite this move, Fidesz remains committed to its conservative and nationalist ideology, which emphasizes the importance of traditional values and national sovereignty [Source N].
The TISZA party, formed just two months ago after the former government insider Péter Magyar broke away from Fidesz following a child abuse pardon scandal, has emerged as a significant player in Hungarian politics [Source N]. The party secured nearly 30% of the vote and 7 MEP seats in the European Parliament elections [Source N], positioning itself not only as the leading opposition party but also as a formidable challenger to Orbán's leadership in the upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections.
Fidesz has won amid the rise of this new opposition challenger, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán campaigning on a highly Eurosceptic platform and painting the election as a contest that would decide whether Russia's war in Ukraine would engulf Europe or not [Source N]. He relied heavily on fears that the war could escalate to involve Hungary directly if his political opponents were successful.
Overall, Fidesz remains a dominant force in Hungarian politics, with its conservative and nationalist ideology continuing to attract support from many Hungarians [Source N]. However, concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions and minority rights have led some to question the party's commitment to democracy and human rights.
Fidesz has been criticized for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The party was accused of downplaying the severity of the virus and ignoring public health advice [Source N]. Additionally, Fidesz has been accused of undermining democratic institutions and the rule of law in Hungary by restricting civil liberties and silencing dissenting voices [Source N].
In addition to these concerns, Fidesz has also faced criticism for its treatment of minority groups. The party has implemented policies aimed at reducing the influence of minority languages and cultures, leading to concerns about linguistic and cultural diversity in Hungary [Source N].