Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party has claimed that two party activists took their own lives following constant post-election harassment and abuse. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Fidesz also said that more than 60 reports have so far been submitted to its recently established legal assistance network, Defence Line (Védvonal).
Fidesz Communications Director Bertalan Havasi said the organization had received information about tragedies that may be linked to political harassment.
‘In two cases, former activists committed suicide due to continued abuse and harassment after the elections,’ Havasi said, adding that the authorities are investigating the cases. No further details were disclosed.
The claims were made as part of an update on the activities of Defence Line, a nationwide legal assistance service established by Fidesz following its defeat in the April parliamentary elections. The organization is headed by former state secretary Judit Czunyiné Bertalan and was created to ‘provide legal and administrative support’ to individuals who believe they have suffered ‘discrimination, harassment, or other adverse consequences because of their political views or affiliations.’
‘The party also reported receiving complaints from university lecturers and students alleging political discrimination’
According to Havasi, more than 60 cases have already required assistance since the initiative became operational less than two weeks ago. A significant proportion of the complaints concern online incitement, insults, and threats. Another major category involves what Fidesz describes as victims of the ‘purges’ it claims are taking place within the government and public administration sectors.
The party also reported receiving complaints from university lecturers and students alleging political discrimination, as well as a growing number of cases involving accusations and pressure campaigns directed at mayors and local councillors in small municipalities, including calls for their resignation.
Havasi said the organizational structure of Defence Line has now been fully established and the legal support system is fully operational. The service is also available in person at the House of Citizens (Polgárok Háza) in Budapest.
The launch of the initiative was announced by Viktor Orbán in a Facebook post in May. At the time, Orbán argued that the organization was necessary because ‘hatred and violence are spreading’ in Hungary’s political life.
The Tisza Party has not yet publicly responded to the latest allegations concerning the reported suicides. However, government officials have previously rejected Fidesz’s broader claims of political persecution.
Responding to the launch of the Defence Line initiative in May, Prime Minister Péter Magyar dismissed it as ‘a propaganda hotline financed by Fidesz’.
The Tisza Party has also consistently denied conducting politically motivated dismissals, arguing that ongoing personnel changes are part of a broader restructuring of the state administration.
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