Hungary's former Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on his supporters to resist what he described as the country's slide into "tyranny", accusing the new government of
dismantling democratic institutions just months after his election defeat.
In his first major political intervention since losing April's general election, Mr Orban published what he called a "Statement of Resistance" on Facebook late on Tuesday. He urged supporters of his Fidesz party to use "all peaceful tools" to oppose the government of Prime Minister Peter Magyar.
His comments came shortly after Fidesz said prosecutors had raided offices housing the party's internet servers.
Hungary's prosecutors said the operation was part of an investigation into alleged "misappropriation and other criminal offences" linked to the National Culture Fund (NKA) during Mr Orban's time in office. Mr Orban has denied corruption allegations made against his administration.
The former nationalist leader claimed Hungary had "ceased to be a democratic state" after the centre-right government secured a constitutional amendment ending the mandates of both President Tamas Sulyok and the head of the Constitutional Court.
"Again the age of tyranny started in Hungary," Mr Orban said.
"The new political system created this way is illegitimate... Fidesz will use all peaceful tools against abuse of power inside parliament and outside parliament."
Mr Orban is expected to hold a news conference later on Wednesday.
Mr Magyar's Tisza party has rejected accusations that it is pursuing an authoritarian agenda. The government says its constitutional changes are part of efforts to reverse policies introduced under Mr Orban's 16 years in power and to strengthen democratic institutions.
Tisza has also pledged to tackle corruption, arguing that graft became widespread under the previous administration, as part of its broader goal of restoring Hungary's standing within the European Union.
During Mr Orban's years in office, Hungary repeatedly clashed with the EU over concerns about the rule of law, judicial independence and minority rights. His government consistently rejected accusations that it had undermined democratic standards.
The constitutional amendment ended President Tamas Sulyok's term, citing what lawmakers described as a "serious loss of confidence" in a president elected in 2024 with the backing of Fidesz. Parliament is expected to elect a new head of state in the coming weeks.
Opinion polls suggest Mr Magyar's government continues to enjoy strong public support. A survey by pollster Median earlier this month put support for Tisza at 60%, compared with 18% for Fidesz, which has faced internal turmoil since its election defeat, including the resignation of its parliamentary group leader last week. Photo by European People's Party, Wikimedia commons.