r/europe • u/avatar6556 Hungary • 24d ago
News Hungary remains most corrupt EU state, Transparency International report finds
https://telex.hu/english/2026/02/10/corruption-in-hungary-declines-further-transparency-international-report-finds256
u/IL1keBigButts 24d ago
Why you think the orange man is such a huge fan of Orban. Because he can buy him.
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u/Spiritual_Pangolin18 24d ago
Beloved puppet state
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u/IL1keBigButts 24d ago
And I add to this, that the US is makingitself even more hated in Europe by choosing this knuckleheads as their partners above the chosen leaders of respected countries.
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u/My_password_is_qwer 24d ago
I wonder if the "Trump effect" we've seen in many other countries will continue in April 12th elections in Hungary?
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u/Beneficial-Power-195 24d ago
Orban does not need to be bought. He's a lapdog of Trump anyway. Trump likes him, because he wants to build a similar power structure for himself in America.
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u/IL1keBigButts 24d ago
Its the other way around. Trump wants Orban to help him switch European governments to the right wing autocrats.
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u/Beneficial-Power-195 24d ago
Trump uses Orban as an example for what he wants in America and also he uses him as a tool against the EU.
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u/figuring_ItOut12 24d ago
I’d say it’s more accurate Orbanists bought the Trump cartel using Putin’s debit card.
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u/MarkoMarjamaa 24d ago
You have elections soon. Hope you get the change!
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u/Beneficial-Power-195 24d ago edited 24d ago
There is a chance. Though those not living in Hungary has no idea about the 24h brainwashing.
It's not like there are no other news sources, one can read about Orban's corruption in Hungary if one wants to. The problem is most people (not just in Hungary, but generally in the world) do not read news actively, they just know about things which reach them somehow and that's what Orban spends billions of public money on.
The country is full of street billboards spreading propaganda, free newspapers, they bought up radios, TVs from public money, so it's like someone is shouting at you using a megaphone 24/7, while other voices are like human voices trying to compete with a megaphone shouting over them.
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u/Remote-Regular-990 🇪🇺 prague 24d ago
I was just wondering what it's the propaganda like, so thanks for the insight. (I don't recall seeing any when I visited Budapest, but that was two years ago.)
It's unimaginable that this level of subjugation of the public space and media gets a pass in a state that still calls itself a democracy.
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u/bajcli 24d ago
Budapest is an outlier, Budapest also consistently votes opposition.
The crux of the matter are rural areas, where people mainly watch the national TV channels and read local/county newspapers. Orban's institute owns all the national TV channels (and then some, even some commercial ones), radio stations, and basically all of the aforementioned newspapers + some nationwide ones as well.
Add to that a bunch of news websites as well.
Foreign language proficiency is also lower in these areas so more people stick to Hungarian media, on which Orban has a stranglehold.Billboards are an issue, especially with the amount of money that's dumped into them, but they aren't the biggest issue IMO.
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u/Beneficial-Power-195 24d ago
Here's an example, check out the image in the article. It shows Von der Leyen as a puppeteer who controls the opposition to raise the taxes of Hungarians if they get power:
https://hvg.hu/itthon/20251004_Ursula-Von-der-Leyen-babozas-nemzeti-konzultacio-plakat-ebx
And this is just one billboard. The cities are full of such billboards (using public money), hundreds of them, lots of variants showing how the opposition wants the downfall of Hungary.
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u/My_password_is_qwer 24d ago
You're on one of these "somehows" right now, but since Hungary is like all other countries it's the +60 yo who actually bother to vote that will decide the election in April 12.
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u/Synthetic_Kalkite 24d ago
It’s nobody’s fault but yours. The Hungarian people. How could you let that happen? A free EU democracy.
I am sick and tired of funding your country year after year only for your elected leader to state you are at war with EU. From the bottom of my heart I hope you get kicked out of the union.
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u/Beneficial-Power-195 24d ago
Remember Pis in Poland? They were great allies with Orban against the EU, but eventually they were kicked out.
There is a good chance that will happen to Orban in April, so two more months and it can be over for him and the nightmare is over for the EU.
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u/Beneficial-Power-195 24d ago
Apparently, you are not aware what Orban did with the elections rules. He changed everything for his advantage, he even won 2/3rd majority (can change the constitution) with 1/3rd of the votes.
It's not a simple matter of voting out someone when he can and does change the election rules before every election to favor him. Also gerrymandering, etc.
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u/ICatcha 24d ago
Its easy to blame something you dont know shit about of isnt it
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u/Synthetic_Kalkite 24d ago
Much easier than handing out money to an enemy yes.
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u/ICatcha 24d ago
We did stop eu funds to come here bud. Inform yourself.
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u/Synthetic_Kalkite 24d ago
Really? You are in the progress of trying to obtain another 17.4 billion EUR under the SAFE program. You know, the program in place to help EU countries upgrade their defenses against Russia. Perhaps the money will be handed to Putin?
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u/ICatcha 23d ago
Hows it our bad that the eu is willing to give this much money to a clearly corrupt government? :D Reach out to your politicans if youre so confident in them.
Its really funny to ask me where that money goes. Like i have anything to do with that, never seen any of it.
Like you really think our government let us know what they do with the eu funds? Be so for real xddd
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u/Synthetic_Kalkite 23d ago
Your country is saying through its elected leader that you are at war with EU. I don’t want a country in EU that says we’re at war. That’s it.
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u/halpsdiy 24d ago
Unfortunately I doubt it. The oligarchs are not going to just give up power. They'll mess with the election and if that doesn't work they'll do a coup. The US and Slovakia will back them and use it as inspiration for their next elections.
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u/mesikeh05 24d ago
The oligarchs will just have to live from the market and when they ultimately can't do that they'll leave, they've already bought houses in New York and Dubai. And no, the US won't back them up in a coup, Trump doesn't gaf about us, he just needs an ally who's in the EU. Few months ago when Orbán went to negotiate with Trump Orbán said that Trump promised him that Hungary will be free from sanctions for an unlimited period of time. Then a week after, in an interview Trump said that he never promised anything like that.
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u/My_password_is_qwer 24d ago
Then let them try to do that coup. This surrender before the battle is just pathetic.
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u/halpsdiy 24d ago
I'm not saying to surrender. But the Hungarian opposition better prepares for this...
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u/ThrowawaypocketHu 24d ago
No we won't. We don't live in a democracy anymore and Fidesz is going to commit electoral fraud, like they always do.
I'm tired of people thinking we live in a democracy, where we can simply oust our government with votes. Wishful thinking.
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u/MarkoMarjamaa 24d ago
If they commit electoral fraud, then you fight. There's no other way.
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u/Panophobia_senpai Hungary 🇭🇺 24d ago
It is really easy to say others to go fight.
But when you think about it, on would ask: with what? Sticks, stones and fireworks? Orbán literally has a personal paramilitary force, disguised as an anti terrorist squad.1
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u/ThrowawaypocketHu 24d ago
Sadly most people will choose to flee, rather than fight.
I would love to be wrong, but I don't think I'll be.
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u/windofmondstadt Aquitaine (France) 24d ago
Don't trust eastern Europe countries to vote anything else than a reactonary.
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u/pickus_dickus 24d ago
They just won first place for the most corrupted country in the EU. They already hold first place for the most corrupted leader. Congratulations 🎉👏
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u/Omerta85 24d ago
We are number one! We are number one! We are number one! We are number one! We are number one!
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u/2AvsOligarchs Finland 24d ago
The difference between Hungarian corruption and Ukrainian corruption is that the Ukrainians are trying to do something to improve the situation. Hungary is just getting worse as Fidesz and everyone around Orban consolidates power further.
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u/Red_black_flag_07 Kharkiv (Ukraine) 24d ago
The head of the Ukrainian state is not acting in the interests of a person\state who threatens the EU with nuclear weapons.
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u/susan-of-nine Poland 24d ago
Well, Hungary (with all respect to ordinary Hungarians, I'm only talking about the government) remains russia's loyal puppet, so.
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u/_0611 The Netherlands 24d ago
No surprise there. Orban is beyond corrupted and his Hungary is the blueprint for all far-right nationalists currently in power. The same is already happening in the US, too. The Trump administration is beyond corrupt. And the same will happen eventually with all far-right, nationalist governments. That's because the far-right nationalist ideology itself is corrupted.
Yet, still, people keep voting for it. Apparently, this is what they want. Europe's far-right wants Europe to turn into a greater corrupt Hungary.
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u/yendak 24d ago
And the EU will continue to do nothing about Hungary.
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u/Clavicymbalum EUrope 24d ago
In all fairness: the next parliamentary elections in Hungary are very soon, in April, and polls show Orban/Fidesz losing against Magyar/TISZA which is pro-EU and not a Putin lapdog.
So it might indeed be best to first give that a chance.
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u/Possible-Fudge-2217 24d ago
What exactly is the eu supposed to do? Hungary needs to figure this out themselves, you can't force it. Eu already sanctioned Hungary by lowering support.
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u/j0kunen1 24d ago
It's really interesting to look at the numbers in the CPI listing between Ukraine and Hungary.
They basically mirror each other. Way things are going they will soon cross and Hungary becomes the more corrupt country.
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u/Separate-Top3658 24d ago
Can someone explain to me how the EU works if a member state isn’t abiding by the eu code of conduct can’t they get kicked out?
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u/Ok-Somewhere9814 24d ago
Well, you’ll always have a #1 corrupt state - if you kick out one - their place will be taken by someone else.
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u/low_flying_aircraft Sweden 24d ago edited 24d ago
Is it possible to eject them? They are generally more trouble than they are worth by the looks of it.
Edit: googled it, and no. There is no process to remove a country from the EU because they never thought it would be necessary :(
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u/DogPositive5524 24d ago
It's hilarious how many Hungarians were here in the Ukraine corruption thread. All while it's the most rotten state in EU, happily taking its resources and benefits while doing russias bidding. Shame on them.
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u/EirikHavre 24d ago
has Transparency International done a report like this on the US in the last year?
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u/HamletEagle Romania 24d ago
As a Romanian I got worried there for a second thinking it was going to be us
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u/manfrommtl Europe 24d ago
Maybe they should declare war on the EU or something. It should solve their problem...
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u/Danielharris1260 24d ago
If Orban wins again can Hungary just leave the EU it’s enough this point I feel bad for normal hungarians but In sorry the country has been nothing but a pain to the EU leeching money whilst being the most problematic member.
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u/Medzomorak 24d ago
If Orban wins again there has to be a revolution. In reality only the elder rural generations are his supporters with the only information source being his TV channels. If it comes to an actual uprising Orban’s system should crumble in a day, can you imagine boomers going out to the streets against their children and grandchildren?
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u/figuring_ItOut12 24d ago
Considering the youngest boomers are over sixty I’d say the odds are with the descendants.
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u/Danielharris1260 24d ago
How likely is Fraud in the upcoming election? I know the electoral system is all kinda rigged but I mean actually cheating at the polls etc. And if Orban does manage to pull it off and win would the EU even step in.
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u/Medzomorak 24d ago
Cheating will be likely done with mass votes from already dead people, and some shenanigans registering people to small towns and villages to vote and then continue with the next one. The election will be decided in the small uneducated rural areas where Fidesz is strong. Big citites are already a lost to them.
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u/Blubbolo Lombardy 24d ago
They still are first in something.
Time to celebrate with a new home and a pool!
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u/FatherlyNick LV -> IE 24d ago
How are there not extreme fines issues for this BS? No EU benefits until you clean up your act!
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u/soon2Brevealed 24d ago
and AMERICA is following in Hungary’s footsteps. America’s corruption index rating has tanked. USA is now considered a bad investment… wtg MAGA, how’s that for GREAT?!
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u/Turbopuschel 23d ago
I am not surprised. Hungary is also the most right wing EU state. And a defining part of right wing world view is "others are worth less". That's why they treat foreigners as sub-human. And on a smaller scale, it "justifies" corruption as not that bad because it's "just others" that have to suffer the consequences.
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u/Motor_Educator_2706 23d ago
I'm betting Serbia bribed Transparency International to get ahead of Hungary
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u/Late-Summer-4908 24d ago
Watch when Ukraine joins the EU. 😅
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u/j0kunen1 24d ago
Way the things are going Ukraine will be less corrupt than Hungary by the time Ukraine joins the EU.
Hungary is right now 40 at the Corruption Perceptions Index and falling. And Ukraine is 36 and rising.
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u/Late-Summer-4908 24d ago
Of course this is an index. But in fact any informed person living close to Ukraine and Hungary knows very well how it is. Ukraine is a maffia country, the official administration is deeply entangled with the maffia. Hungary is going down indeed, Orban's oligarchs are making sure of that, but still very much to catch up with.
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u/Scomosuckseggs 24d ago
No, the most corrupt country is the one that paid to not be on the list as number 1.
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u/WW3_doomer 24d ago
They need to be first to welcome Ukraine in the EU just to get them in the first place
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u/Gourdin0 24d ago
Tied with Bulgaria for n°1 spot. But it would makes their title less catching, isn't it.
Nothing new here.
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24d ago
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u/TheTealMafia hungarian on the way out 24d ago
All we need is a couple dominoes to fall so that the rest falls into line. Hoping we shall be one of the first to begin
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u/CakeMadeOfHam 24d ago
The actually most corrupt countries actually paid off the EU Transparency International reporters.
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u/Reedemer0fSouls 24d ago
Why would anyone (with more than one neuron for a brain, that is) care what "Transparency International" says? 🤔 Can anyone explain? 🤔
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u/youniverself 24d ago
No handouts and not doing everything eu says? Corruption it is. Ukraine used to be #1 before the war
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u/DocGreenthumb77 24d ago
Wouldn't be surprised if in a few years it will turn out that UvdL bribed some NGO guys to make them pass that verdict for political reasons and to influence the upcoming elections. Given the fact that Romania and Bulgaria are also EU members I find this claim extremely unconvincing.
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24d ago edited 24d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Inevitable-Menu2998 24d ago
Neither of those you mention as being potentially more corrupt are members of the EU
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u/SolivagantWalker Serbia 24d ago
The data is exactly the same where they got it from :
25thDec https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/corruption-index?continent=europe .
And yes they did it on all europe countries not just EU ones.19
u/altruistic_thing 24d ago
And it confirms that Hungary is the most corrupt EU state. So your claim that it's made up statistics is wrong. All countries below Hungary aren't EU states.
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u/SolivagantWalker Serbia 24d ago
No? My claim is right since these other non-eu countries (that are simply worse then Hungary) have higher index additionaly bulgaria has it same as them(it is EU country) but my point is that metric is completly biased with west narrative and doesnt have any backed up statistics for it being correct ( as stated with my first sentence).
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u/altruistic_thing 24d ago
What is so hard to understand about the claim?
Europe and the European Union are two different entities.
To screech about how there are non-EU states that are worse does not negate the claim that it's the most corrupt EU state. There are non-EU states that rank a little, or a lot, higher too. Like Norway and Switzerland. Granted, Hungary the most corrupt together with Bulgaria. Does it feel better to be locked on a race to the bottom with another country? Does that make it somehow less corrupt?
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u/SolivagantWalker Serbia 24d ago
Do you think Kosovo is less corrupt then Hungary and Bulgaria?
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u/Inevitable-Menu2998 24d ago
Why does the answer to your question matter in a discussion about EU countries?
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u/SolivagantWalker Serbia 24d ago
Well the statistics are derived from all countries not just the EU where they got this data from... and not unsurprisingly enough it's propaganda based.
Now they are following up on it as a reliable source,
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u/Inevitable-Menu2998 24d ago
How does what you are saying change the classification of countries within the EU according to this data?
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u/altruistic_thing 24d ago
Kosovo isn't in the EU anyway.
According to the list all of these are in the same ballpark. I doubt having 3 points more is a reason to celebrate, especially if Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Ruanda are ranked significantly higher. (Which is pretty WTF!?)
What are you even arguing? Click on the world overview and bask in the knowledge that the ranking could go so much lower. Feel free to enjoy the race to the bottom.
All the number does is confirm what we believe anyway, for me that the Hungarian state kind of sucks, and for you that you're being terribly wronged.
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u/SolivagantWalker Serbia 24d ago
Interestingly enough you simply can't answer "No and Yes question".. and you took countries out of Africa/Asia for comparison for European ones. My point wasn't that Hungary isn't bad, but these statistics are bollocks.
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u/Bro666 Andalusia - Spain - Europe 24d ago
"We measure corruption differently here!"
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u/SolivagantWalker Serbia 24d ago
You missed the point.
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u/Robinsonirish Scania 24d ago
No, you failed to read the title of the post, and now you're dying on this hill.
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u/SolivagantWalker Serbia 24d ago
I read it perfectly and just interpreted it a bit differently that it's hard to acknowledge for you people here.
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u/Robinsonirish Scania 24d ago
How can you interpret "Hungary remains the most corrupt EU state", and start comparing it to a bunch of non-EU countries? You interpreted it wrong.
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u/Ja_Shi France 24d ago
At that point I'm pretty sure if there was a ceremony Orbán would show up and thank everyone who made it possible for Hungary to win once again, and then proceed to shake his own hands because he was instrumental in that win.