FC Taxpayer: How Orbán Is Buying Influence through Football in the Region

In the first part of the series, I outlined how the Hungarian Prime Minister has used public money to influence football teams and use football for his political advantage. But his playground is not only Hungary. Over the last decade, Viktor Orbán has turned football into a powerful international political tool, funneling millions of euros into foreign clubs, particularly in countries with Hungarian minorities. While these investments are often framed as cultural and sports diplomacy, they serve a much broader purpose: expanding Hungary’s influence in Central and Eastern Europe.

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FC Taxpayer: How Orbán Turned Football into His Playground

“The Prime Minister is helping to save the club,” ran the headline of Viktor Orbán’s favorite state-run sports daily the other day. I had to glance at it twice to ensure we had not returned to the 1950s when Communist Party leaders and commissars made every sports decision. Well, the only real difference is that during the 50s, Hungarian football was really at its peak. 

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Missed Opportunity

The much-anticipated debate in the European Parliament took place yesterday. It offered an opportunity for everyone to voice their own narrative, to offer ideas, a vision, and perhaps a solution for Europe. Unfortunately, no one took this opportunity. 

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The other way

On the same day as the Hungarian prime minister’s State of the Nation address, important international speeches were delivered as well. There is a stark contrast between Obán’s words, and the communication of other European leaders.

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Ligeti: Private foundations serve the goal to perpetuate PM Orbán’s personal leverage

Miklós Ligeti, Legal Director of Transparency International Hungary, explains the legal scheme enabling the Hungarian government to channel billions of euros to private foundations. He reveals the most important legal details and tells us why the move is tailor-made for Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán’s personal leverage and outreach – even if being ousted from the […]

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Dzurinda: The EU needs to become a global power

Slovakia’s former head of government Mikuláš Dzurinda delivers an answer to his Hungarian colleague Viktor Orbán, who recently suggested him the creation of a “new axis” in the EU. The President of the Wilfried Martens Centre also talks about the future of the V4 cooperation, the necessity of reforms on the EU level, and how […]

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Civitas Institute Poll: Hungary Election 2022

With only one year to go until the Hungarian parliamentary election, opposition forces are still shaping up to offer a competitive contender to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his ruling Fidesz party. Civitas Institute experts share the latest opinion poll data related to the 2022 Hungarian general election. The latest Civitas Institute poll figures show […]

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