New Hungarian government moves to dismantle Fidesz-linked institutions

Hungary’s new government has decided to dissolve several prominent foundations and civic organizations associated with opposition party Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance, led by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said.

The Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), the Batthyány Lajos Foundation and former President János Áder’s Blue Planet Foundation are set to cease operations on August 31, according to Magyar.

“The Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), the Batthyány Lajos Foundation, which finances structures linked to Fidesz, and János Áder’s Blue Planet organization, which spends public funds, will cease to exist on August 31. The state will assume responsibility for carrying out the relevant public functions, while state assets and funds will be returned to the Hungarian people,” Magyar said in a video address posted on Facebook.

The MCC, a research and educational institution, was considered an important source of personnel for Hungary’s previous government and operated under the patronage of Balázs Orbán, a political adviser to the former prime minister and his namesake. Its associated foundation financed a range of social and political initiatives.

The Batthyány Lajos Foundation similarly became a significant financial and ideological hub for Hungary’s conservative and right-wing forces.

Blue Planet, an environmental organization established by former President János Áder, was also closely associated with the Fidesz political establishment. Áder is a longtime ally of Viktor Orban and was among the party’s founders.

Magyar’s government, which took office after the April 12 parliamentary elections, has repeatedly criticized organizations linked to Fidesz for receiving disproportionate amounts of state funding and controlling substantial public assets.

Fidesz, which moved into opposition following its electoral defeat, has accused the new government of pursuing a deliberate campaign to weaken the party and eliminate its main political rivals.

By Vafa Guliyeva