Orbán Viktor faces criticism over propaganda hotline and gold convoy scandal

Dutch public broadcaster VPRO sent journalist Nicolaas Veul to Hungary to record a documentary on public opinion of Prime Minister Orbán Viktor. Veul set up a “Holland‑Hungary Hotline” where Hungarians could anonymously share their experiences under the government. Participants described the regime’s pervasive propaganda, with one quote stating, “The Orbán system is very good, you are a Europe‑friendly puppet!”

The hotline footage formed part of the documentary and highlighted concerns about state‑run media and the suppression of dissent. Simultaneously, Hungarian media continue to scrutinise Orbán’s governance, labeling his political tactics as authoritarian and questioning the legality of his actions.

Separately, the long‑running “gold convoy” investigation has intensified. The National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) and the Counter‑Terrorism Centre (TEK) are accused of mishandling a large transfer of Ukrainian funds, with allegations of political pressure and procedural violations. The case, involving confidential communications between NAV officials and the Prime Minister’s office, is seen as a potential test of the rule of law in Hungary.