Hungary faces accusations of political discrimination in civil service and academia

The Védvonal organization filed a complaint with the ombudsman, alleging widespread political discrimination within Hungary's civil service since the new government took office on May 13. It claims civil servants not in senior political roles are being harassed, deprived of benefits and subjected to unlawful segregation because of their perceived political affiliations. The statement notes that “a large number of reports received by Védvonal shows that after the new government’s formation, employer practices in ministries have created conditions of political‑opinion‑based discrimination, harassment and illegal segregation.”

At Budapest’s Corvinus University, staff and academics have raised similar concerns, describing institutional discrimination against Hungarians. Over 40 % of university employees are reported to be dissatisfied with current leadership, and protests have intensified after Mol CEO Hernádi Zsolt resigned from the foundation board that oversees the university. The faculty union and more than 180 employees consider the current management illegitimate and demand reforms to restore academic autonomy and protect the Hungarian language in scholarly work.