Hungary - 62.93
64
A declining democracy in Eastern Europe
Hungary's Orban administration has proved that the country was never ready for democracy. Within three short decades of establishing democracy free from the influence of the Soviet Union, Hungary elected a strongman in bed with Russia. Throughout his tenure, Orban has worked tirelessly to expand the executive's power and extensively suppressed dissent. The Orban administration has passed extensive measures cracking down on dissenting speech and has demonstrated consistent corruption. Orban has brought Hungary closer and closer to Russia’s fold, despite being an EU and NATO member state. Most concerning, Orban and his allies have ended Hungary’s neutrality laws, effectively giving Orban control over every government agency and allowing him to use them to further any future re-election campaigns. By all accounts, Hungary has been on a downward spiral since Orban took office. This is not to say that the country was perfect before it fell victim to the global wave of democratically elected strongmen. Hungary has always been one of the most corrupt countries in the European Union and one of the least friendly towards Roma. Adding to this, Orban was democratically elected. Hungary was a democracy before his election and, ostensibly at least, it still is. Orban remains very popular at home, despite international condemnation for his systematic dismantling of Hungary’s post-communist government institutions. Orban’s election and continued popularity demonstrate, if nothing else, that the Hungarian people were not ready for democracy in 1989 and they still are not today.
Human Rights - 68
Hungary has fully abolished the death penalty. Roma children face rampant discrimination in Hungary’s education system. Roma children are often denied enrollment in private schools and many Hungarian schools remain unofficially segregated. Schools in predominantly Roma areas receive significantly less funding than in predominantly Magyar areas. A March 2020 bill increased penalties for “imparting or conveying false information.” The bill also criminalized “obstruction of the enforcement of a quarantine order.” Both laws were intentionally vaguely worded, allowing for broad discretion in enforcement. Despite slander and defamation laws, pro-government news outlets are allowed to slander and defame the opposition with impunity. Hungary’s scaremongering law has broad provisions and allows the government to threaten journalists and whistleblowers with lawsuits. Healthcare workers reported that they feared retaliation for coming forward about COVID-19. This law also made it very difficult for journalists to report on COVID-19 in Hungary. Trans Hungarians cannot change their legal gender under any circumstances but can access sex reassignment surgery. Trans Hungarians cannot serve openly. Hungary guarantees registered partnerships but same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned. Homosexuals cannot adopt in Hungary. Hungary is generally regarded as one of the (if not the absolute) worst countries in the European Union to be LGBT. Abortion is legal to twelve weeks.
Democracy - 68
Presidential candidates are chosen through primary elections, and the national assembly then chooses from the list of candidates. The Prime Minister, who holds the most executive authority, is elected by and from the parliament. Parliament is directly elected. Notable issues with parliamentary elections occurred, as the ruling Fidesz party blatantly misused state funds and granted state funds to friendly parties. Through Orban’s repeated expansion of his (and by extension his party’s) authority, Fidesz exerts significant sway over most facets of the Hungarian government. Fidesz is known to intimidate the National Electoral Commission (NVB). Fidesz has used its parliament supermajority to completely redistrict the entire country in favor of the far-right. Ahead of prime minister elections, Orban accused the United States, European Union, and George Soros of conspiring against him by funding and advising opposition candidates. Government-owned and pro-government news outlets are known to run smear campaigns against opposition politicians and parties. Despite all of these factors, Hungary’s vote-counting practices are transparent and fair, and Fidesz and all of the party’s actions to consolidate power have the widespread support of the people.
Freedom - 58
A March 2020 law increased penalties for “imparting or conveying false information” and criminalized “obstruction of enforcement of a quarantine order.” Both of these statutes were vaguely worded and their broad provisions allowed for highly discretionary enforcement. Despite slander and defamation laws attempting to prevent such acts, pro-government news outlets are allowed to slander and defame members of the opposition with impunity. Allies of Prime Minister Orban have been using state resources to buy opposition media outlets. Most large news organizations in Hungary are owned by the government or allies. Christian organizations are granted preferential treatment by the government. Hungary’s 2011 church law caused some 300 religious organizations to lose their religious status. Hungary has declared all media depicting same-sex relationships or transgenders as pornography, which cannot be sold or promoted to minors. Hungary was exposed in the Project Pegasus leak for spying on and potentially stealing data from activists and members of the opposition. Hungary has the strictest drug laws in the European Union, and possession of any quantity of any illicit substance is punishable by no more than two years in prison. Hungary may issue gun ownership licenses for semi-automatic handguns, as well as bolt-action rifles and shotguns. Self-defense permits are virtually impossible to obtain in Hungary.
Economy - 78
Health - 72
Hungary has a life expectancy of 76 years and an infant mortality rate of 0.3%. 26.4% of Hungarians are obese and 6.48% are malnourished. Roma children are disproportionately more malnourished than any other group. Hungary has a strong universal healthcare system, but in some areas care is lacking in quality, and the system is underfunded across the board. 89.57% of Hungarians have access to clean, running water. Most lacking access to clean, running water live in informal Roma settlements. 36.1% of adult Hungarians smoke regularly.
Corruption - 29
Judicial verdicts are bought and sold at low levels, but all levels of Hungary’s judicial system are subject to political pressure. One-third of Hungarian citizens interviewed by GAN Integrity perceived the police to be corrupt but almost none reported ever paying bribes. Public services often must be bribed into action, and they are often denied to Roma. Large amounts of red tape exists in Hungary’s land administration. Tax fraud and embezzlement of tax funds are both rampant in Hungary. Public contracts are impossible to obtain without bribery. State funds are rampantly misused by the Fidesz party.
Competency - 67
The government is failing to protect and provide for the Roma, who face rampant discrimination and live in squalor throughout the country. The government is failing to control corruption, which exists at a higher level in Hungary than in almost any other country in the European Union.
Future - 45
Hungary’s political rift has been continually widening. The Fidesz government has been cracking down on the country’s opposition and attempting to consolidate power. Hungary’s political machine shows no signs of stopping as the people continue to approve and re-elect the party that works tirelessly to expand its own power.
Actions Abroad - 45
Hungary is a full member of the European Union and NATO. Hungary has faced some criticism for not giving as much as it takes from these international organizations. Hungary reportedly now considers Russia a “strategic partner.” This comes amid calls for aid from Ukraine to the EU and NATO. Hungary maintains closer relations with Russia than any other EU country and is widely regarded as Russia’s voice in Strasbourg. Hungary recognizes the independence of Kosovo. Hungary generally does not pursue an activist foreign policy.
0.5% of Hungarians live below the international poverty line and 14.6% live below the national poverty line. 4.35% of Hungarians are unemployed. Hungary has a very high economic disparity, which is some of the highest in the European Union. The minimum wage in Hungary is $551 per month. Hungary has a strong universal healthcare system, but it does not hold up when compared to the rest of the European Union. Hungary is experiencing a significant brain drain of medical professionals, as a significant number of medical school graduates leave the country. Hungary’s healthcare system is severely underfunded and in some places does not offer quality care. The Hungarian economy shrunk 5% in 2020 and grew 4.5% in 2019.