Budapest is braving a political storm as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signals a move to replace President Katalin Novák, a staunch ally from his own Fidesz party. The threat comes amid mounting concerns in Brussels over the erosion of democratic checks and balances in Hungary, an EU member state. For ordinary Hungarians, the latest power play is a reminder of the premium paid for stability in a country where wages have struggled to keep pace with the cost of living since the 2008 crisis.
Novák, a former minister and trusted Orbán loyalist, was elected president in 2022. Yet Orbán now suggests she is no longer fit for the role, a charge that echoes his long-running battle against what he calls “Brussels bureaucrats” and “liberal elites”. The president’s office has not commented publicly. But the spat highlights a deeper fear: that Hungary’s democratic institutions are being hollowed out from within, as Orbán consolidates authority over the judiciary, media, and now the presidency.
For Hungarian workers, the political drama feels distant, yet the fallout is real. The EU has frozen billions in recovery funds over concerns about corruption and the rule of law. This has delayed investment in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. In the industrial cities of Debrecen and Miskolc, factories are hesitant to expand while political uncertainty lingers. Workers worry about job security and the future of their pensions.
The opposition has accused Orbán of turning Hungary into a “guided democracy” where elections are free but not fair. The prime minister insists he is protecting Hungarian sovereignty from foreign interference. But the threat to replace Novák – a move that would require a two-thirds parliamentary majority – could test even his iron grip on power. Dissent within Fidesz is rare, but not unheard of.
Brussels is watching closely. The European Parliament has already declared Hungary to be a “hybrid regime of electoral autocracy”. If Orbán ousts yet another counterbalance to his power, the EU could trigger Article 7 proceedings, which risk stripping Hungary of its voting rights. For a country that has long benefited from EU cohesion funds, the economic consequences would be severe.
On the streets of Budapest, opinion is divided. Some see the political infighting as a distraction from rising energy bills and stagnant wages. Others fear a slow march toward authoritarianism that will ultimately harm their children’s prospects. For now, the political chess match continues. But the real price of this game will be paid by ordinary Hungarians who just want a fair wage and a stable home.
