Orbán Launches Resistance Movement Against Hungarian Government's Rule

WHO:

AP - Viktor Orbán, former prime minister of Hungary, and his far-right Fidesz party.

AP - Péter Magyar, current Prime Minister of Hungary and leader of the pro-European Tisza party.

WHAT:

AP - Orbán declared a peaceful “resistance” movement against the new government, labeling its actions as tyrannical.

AP - A constitutional amendment passed by Tisza’s majority in Parliament removed Hungary’s Orbán-era president and set a 12-year term limit for members of Parliament.

AP - The term limit applies retroactively and will exclude around half of Fidesz’s sitting members from running in the next national elections set for 2030.

AP - Fidesz's support has shrunk to 18%, while Tisza’s support stands at 60% according to a June survey by pollster Medián.

WHERE:

AP - The announcement was made at a news conference outside Fidesz party headquarters in Budapest, Hungary.

WHEN:

AP - The constitutional amendment was passed last week.

AP - The next national elections are set for 2030.

WHY:

AP - Orbán claims the new political system dismantles the rule of law and eliminates checks and balances, returning Hungary to a status similar to the final years of its Communist dictatorship.

AP - Tisza argues that the new administration is fulfilling campaign promises, combating corruption, and restoring the rule of law that was eroded under Orbán.

HOW:

AP - Fidesz announced it will use “every peaceful means, both inside and outside Parliament, to resist the arbitrary exercise of power.”

AP - The new government has suspended the news service of Hungary’s public television and radio and closed the Sovereignty Protection Office.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 19:27 UTC)

Viktor Orbán, the former prime minister of Hungary, has declared a peaceful “resistance” movement against the new government led by Péter Magyar, claiming its actions are tyrannical. This comes after a constitutional amendment passed by Magyar's pro-European Tisza party, which removed Orbán-era leadership and set a 12-year term limit for Parliament members, retroactively excluding many Fidesz members from the upcoming national elections in 2030. With Fidesz's support dwindling to 18% compared to Tisza's 60%, Orbán's party plans to resist the new administration's moves, which they argue dismantle the rule of law, while Tisza maintains that they are restoring governance that was compromised under Orbán.