It’d take years to identify all Russian agents embedded in the Hungarian state | Szabolcs Panyi

Journalist Szabolcs Panyi has returned to Hungary. He was forced to leave the country after facing threatsfrom Viktor Orbán’s government to initiate criminal proceedings against him, alleging he was a spy. Panyi has spent years reporting on Russian influence inHungary. Since 2023, he has focused on the activities of Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, who effectively acted as a Russian agent.During the election campaign, after the publication of conversations between Szijjártó and Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov, it became clear that the Hungarian official had regularly reported on the course of EU meetings, consulted on steps to slow down Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, and discussed lifting sanctions on influentialRussians. This caused a major public outcry in Hungary, particularly among young people.They were outraged to learn that despite Hungary’s membership in the EU and NATO, the country had effectivelyremained a vassal of Putin’s Russia due to Orbán’s foreign policy. This became a key factor in mobilizing young voters to turn out. Voter turnout reached a record high since 1990, with nearly 80% of Hungarians exercising their right to vote.According to Szabolcs Panyi, Viktor Orbán did not simply lose the election — his entire regime effectively collapsed. However, Hungarians still have yet to discover the extent of Russia’s involvement in maintaining Orbán’s grip on power.Journalist Angelina Kariakina speaks with Szabolcs Panyi about why Orbán pivoted toward the Kremlin, Hungary as alogistical hub for Russian intelligence, the demonization of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine, the reasons behind the collapse of Orbán’s regime, and the future of Hungary’s now-former top officials.Do you like our podcast? Support the Public Interest Journalism Lab with a Donation https://www.journlab.online/donations