Hungary to Reveal Foreign Aid Funding to NGOs

By Krisztina Than and Anita Komuves

BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Friday that Hungary would take measures to ensure that all aid funding from the United States to NGOs and media critical of the government is disclosed. He stated that it was time to “eliminate these foreign networks.”

Orban, a nationalist and ally of President Donald Trump, referenced funding from U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs. While USAID allocates billions in humanitarian aid globally, former President Trump has ordered a freeze on most U.S. foreign aid and tasked billionaire Elon Musk with scaling down the agency’s operations.

Orban commented that organizations in Hungary receiving foreign funds, including USAID money, must face “legal consequences” as they threaten Hungary’s sovereignty. “In America, we would call them agents, as they do not serve their own country but accept money from another power,” Orban stated in a radio interview. “We don’t call them agents… but these are people and organizations paid from abroad whose job is to overthrow the Hungarian government.”

His remarks come as his Fidesz party intensifies its campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections due in early 2026, where he may face stiff opposition amid economic uncertainty. Orban has been in power since 2010 and recently passed a law creating the Sovereignty Protection Office to assess risks related to “political interference” in Hungary.

He has frequently criticized foreign funding for organizations critical of his administration, often targeting Hungarian-born U.S. billionaire George Soros and his liberal perspectives. “We are talking about a dark thing here… Brussels, the Soros foundation, the U.S. budget, they have channeled big amounts of money with a political purpose into the political life of certain countries,” he said, referring to recent protests in Slovakia and Serbia.

Orban emphasized, “So that everyone understands: they must be swept out, this must be stopped now that the U.S. President has taken action. When, if not now?”

The 2023 sovereignty law, criticized by EU leaders, the U.S., and various international organizations, prohibits foreign financing for electoral parties or groups and includes penalties of up to three years in prison. The European Commission initiated an infringement procedure over this law in February 2024, noting its potential to undermine democratic values and fundamental rights within the EU.

The EU has suspended billions of euros in funding for Hungary due to rule-of-law disputes during Orban’s administration. He has sought support from conservative voters by positioning himself as a defender of national interests and has denied claims of undermining democracy in Hungary.