Former judge removed by Orbán elected president of Hungary

Budapest’s new coalition government, which assumed office on May 2 after the opposition’s victory in the 2024 parliamentary election, has moved swiftly to reverse a series of policies instituted during Viktor Orbán’s 14‑year tenure. Within its first week, the cabinet announced the repeal of the 2010 media law that imposed state‑controlled licensing on broadcasters, restored the independence of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority, and initiated a review of the judiciary reforms that had been criticised by the European Union for undermining judicial autonomy. The administration also rescinded the 2021 “family protection” legislation that barred most gender‑identity and LGBTQ‑related content in schools, and it signaled an intention to end the emergency powers that had been extended during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

These measures are part of a broader agenda to align Hungary’s legal framework with EU standards and to dismantle what the new leaders describe as “authoritarian legacies.” The government has pledged further steps, including the establishment of an independent media council, the reinstatement of civil‑society funding mechanisms, and a parliamentary inquiry into the procurement practices of state‑owned enterprises under the previous regime. International observers note that while the reforms mark a significant shift, their implementation will be closely watched for compliance with both domestic constitutional requirements and European Union directives.