Orban Says Hungary is no Longer a Democracy

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who lost April's election after 16 years in power, has issued his first major political statement since his defeat. In a Facebook post described as a "declaration of resistance", Orban responded to a raid by prosecutors investigating alleged embezzlement at the National Cultural Fund, during which authorities searched premises housing computer servers used by his Fidesz party.

Orban declared that an "era of tyranny" had begun in Hungary and claimed the country was no longer a democracy. "The new political system created in this way is illegitimate. Fidesz will use all peaceful means to combat the abuse of power both inside and outside parliament", he wrote.

His remarks came after the center-right government of Prime Minister Peter Magyar used its parliamentary majority to push through sweeping constitutional reforms. Among other measures, the amendment brought President Tamas Sulyok's term to an early end and introduced changes affecting the Constitutional Court.

The Tisza Party rejects accusations of authoritarianism, saying its reforms are intended to dismantle corruption associated with the Orban era and restore Hungary's place in the European Union's political mainstream.

(Reuters, Max)