Overview

• The European Commission’s annual rule-of-law report ranks Hungary last among member states and criticizes threats to judicial independence, media pluralism and civil society.
• Parliament is set this week to vote on two highly contested bills that would make it easier to ban demonstrations and blacklist NGOs, media outlets and companies receiving foreign funds.
• Independent outlets such as Klubradio are awaiting rulings at the European Court of Justice as they expand their online audience beyond half a million daily listeners.
• Opposition MP Ákos Hadházy’s weekly Tuesday protests continue to draw thousands in Budapest in opposition to the so-called “devilish laws.”
• Polls show Peter Magyar’s Tisza Party holding a narrow lead over Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz as public anger mounts over 30–40 percent food price inflation and cuts to public services.