Budapest is in meltdown. Hungary’s parliament is moving to remove President Katalin Novák, a key Orbán ally. The trigger? A child sexual abuse pardon scandal. But the real story is the power struggle at the heart of Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party.
Novák signed off on a pardon for a man convicted of covering up abuse in a state-run children’s home. The case sparked outrage. Now, opposition MPs are rallying with dissident Fidesz members. They have the numbers. A two-thirds majority is needed. Sources inside parliament say it’s a done deal.
The timing is brutal. The EU is already reeling from rule-of-law battles with Hungary. Brussels froze billions in funds over corruption concerns. Now, this. A president ousted from within. It smells of a palace coup.
Orbán is silent. His allies are scrambling. They know that if Novák falls, the cracks in Fidesz become chasms. The far-right has been gaining ground. The prime minister’s grip is slipping.
For Europe, this is a warning. The Hungarian model is fraying. If Orbán cannot control his own house, how can he challenge Brussels? The stability of the entire bloc depends on what happens next.
Whitehall is watching closely. UK officials fear a contagion effect. Populist movements across Europe are taking notes. If Hungary’s strongman weakens, others will follow.
This is not just a scandal. It’s a pivotal moment. The game has changed.
