Over the past 16 years, Viktor Orbán’s administration has significantly impacted various British political figures, including Tory peer David Frost and Reform UK representatives Matt Goodwin and James Orr. These individuals have benefitted from the financial support provided by Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, which has shown a particular affinity for the more extreme elements of British conservatism.
However, following Orbán’s recent substantial electoral defeat, the financial backing that Hungary has extended to populist right-wing groups across Europe may be in jeopardy. This shift could also affect Hungary’s ambassador Ferenc Kumin, a close ally of Orbán, and media enterprises like Remix News, which promote a right-leaning, anti-immigration perspective on life in the UK.
Frank Furedi, a sociologist of British-Hungarian descent and a prominent figure in the new right ideology, expressed concerns about potential funding cuts to certain institutions, predicting that some may even face closure. His think tank, MCC Brussels, has relied heavily on financial support from the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, a conservative educational institution backed by the Hungarian government.
The Collegium is also linked to the Hungarian energy company MOL, which predominantly sources its oil from Russia, leading to allegations that MCC Brussels and similar organizations are effectively dependent on Russian oil revenue.
In the UK, the Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation (RSLF), established in memory of the late right-wing philosopher, has received over £500,000 from MCC since 2023, which constitutes more than 90% of its total funding. The foundation’s board includes notable figures such as former minister Michael Gove and Orr, who is closely associated with Nigel Farage.
Orr, a socially conservative academic from Cambridge, is integral to the broader network that has developed during Orbán’s tenure and is recognized by MCC as one of its International guests. Other individuals linked to MCC include Goodwin, a candidate from Reform UK, who has been designated as a “visiting fellow” and reportedly receives monthly compensation ranging from €5,000 to €10,000, according to leaked information.
Goodwin recently spoke at an MCC event on the day following Orbán’s electoral defeat, an occasion described by attendees as somber.
Furthermore, several British political figures have received backing from the Danube Institute, a Budapest-based think tank founded by John O’Sullivan, a former speechwriter for Margaret Thatcher. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of pounds were allocated for media engagements, with specific requirements for frequency of appearances in British outlets. Frost was a visiting fellow at the institute until late last year.
Given comments made by Hungary’s newly elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar, those in the UK and beyond who relied on Budapest’s support may need to seek alternative sources. Magyar criticized the practice of state funding for political entities, asserting that it should never have occurred.
Furedi acknowledged that losing existing funding would compel his organization to explore new fundraising avenues and adopt a more efficient operational model to sustain their efforts. He emphasized that his organization has always maintained “total autonomy.”
Potential funding sources may now include corporate entities or even international partners. Marietta van der Tol, an assistant research professor at Cambridge and a keen observer of recent developments in Hungary, noted that some think tanks might seek support from the United States, especially in light of the new national security strategy which advocates for promoting resistance to Europe’s current political direction.
“It remains uncertain what direction Péter Magyar will take, as he is a conservative emerging from Fidesz, but he has spoken about transforming institutions, the economy, and the media. The Hungarian populace appears to be seeking regime change. Regardless, those who have benefited from Orbán’s patronage are clearly apprehensive about the future,” van der Tol remarked.
