Redesign
2024/2.

We all feel and see that something has shifted domestically. In the monotonous, one-directional, immovable, and hopeless public relations, profound transformations have taken place in a short period, filling many with hope, others with fear, but most of us with a sense of excitement. In any case, the change is becoming increasingly tangible, at least in the balance of political power and the ability to demonstrate strength. From the perspective of the organization and community of aHang, I would like to highlight two formal effects of these changes.

In the first part of the year, we worked on completing one of the country’s largest-ever participatory projects: collecting empty national consultation sheets in the wake of the 7YES education campaign, exposing propaganda. This was one of the many campaigns where those seeking change rallied under the aHang banner, with us taking on national coordination, organization, and communication. For the most part, these campaigns, and the struggles of other (primarily attacked) groups that we also supported, were the only ones to break through the public's threshold of interest. Until now.

With the major political realignment, societal issues and problems that aHang has long been addressing—such as education, family allowance, healthcare, transportation, housing, or the all-pervasive corruption—are now more prominently represented.

Back in 2021, we organized and conducted the Fudan or Student City consultation, where we sought the opinions of Budapest residents on issues such as whether they agreed with establishing the Chinese Fudan University's Budapest campus or whether the Student City should be built according to the original plans and location.

At that time, with enormous effort and short deadlines, over 30,000 people participated. Budapest residents could vote in the consultation online or in person. During this process, we also tested our self-developed systems, which were later used by nearly one million people during the primary elections we organized.

We conducted a consultation in a way that even the government cannot: credibly (unlike the so-called national consultations) and excluding the possibility of multiple voting.

An overwhelming majority said they did not want the Fudan University or the 500 billion HUF Chinese loan. Instead, they wanted a Student City in Budapest.

This summer, a law was passed allowing military officers and non-commissioned officers over 55 to be deployed to school districts, potentially for teaching roles. We could not let this go without protest: our petition against the move has so far been signed by more than 16,000 people. On August 2, a month before the school year began, we went to the Ministry of Defense with a small gift for Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

We set off from the Faculty of Humanities of ELTE, from Astoria, pulling a cart filled with books every teacher and educational worker should be familiar with.

At the end of the previous school year, news emerged that the principal of Horváth Mihály High School in Szentes, together with the Hódmezővásárhely School District Center, unilaterally and without justification, planned to reorganize the drama department of the high school. This decision, presented as a fact, outraged students, parents, teachers, many members of the artistic community, and us as well.

Upon hearing the news, we launched a petition on the matter, which garnered more than 3,000 signatures in a short time. Our Szeged branch, aPont Szeged, organized a demonstration at the school, contacted famous alumni to seek their support, and at the end of August attempted to deliver the petition to decision-makers. Supporters of the petition, parents, and students gathered in front of Horváth Mihály High School in Szentes to deliver the petition, but the school gates were locked, and despite ringing the bell, they were not opened. Phone calls to the office and reception indicated that despite the management, teaching staff and technical staff being present on a non-teaching workday, the gates would not be opened. Ultimately, the petition was affixed to the closed gates.

Subsequently, the Hódmezővásárhely District Center was approached, where they gave the information that the principal was on leave, but a colleague received the petition during office hours.

On August 30, it was revealed that the Szeged-based Wesley János Kindergarten, Primary School, and High School, maintained by the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship, would not be allowed to reopen in September. One working day before the school year began, the authorities removed the institution, which primarily educates children with special educational needs, from the registry with immediate effect.

The news prompted an immediate reaction from aPont Szeged. On the last day of the summer break, September 1, we organized a protest at the school building, attended by nearly 400 people. The demonstration included affected children with their families, the school’s leadership and staff, and representatives of the operator, including Gábor Iványi Jr. Many supporters from Szeged and other locations also expressed their solidarity.

On September 8, the XVII Summer Paralympic Games concluded in Paris, where Hungarian athletes won 5 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze medals. We find it outrageous that the State Secretary for Sport still has not taken steps to ensure that Paralympians receive the same financial rewards as Olympians. At the Olympics, athletes placing between 1st and 8th receive a one-time financial reward. While an Olympic champion receives 55 million HUF, Paralympians competing in the same games receive less than half—25 million HUF. Although Paralympians’ rewards were increased by 43% after the most recent Olympics, they still do not match those of Olympians.

Before the Paralympics, we launched a petition titled “Let’s Be Pioneers! Hungary Should Give Equal Rewards to Paralympians and Olympians!”, which gathered more than 5,000 signatures. The campaign received significant media attention, with numerous national outlets reporting on our efforts.

A year-and-a-half-long struggle ended when the government submitted a legislative amendment: politicians can no longer hold positions on boards of trustees or supervisory boards of university foundations.

This is significant because, in January 2023, the European Commission suspended Erasmus funding for Hungarian universities placed under foundation control. According to the Commission, the current Hungarian regulations—despite multiple requests for changes—do not prevent high-ranking officials, including members of Parliament and senior leaders of autonomous Hungarian institutions, from joining the leadership bodies of public asset management foundations.

Car-Free Day

On the afternoon of September 20, we successfully held a community event in Szeged in the U-shaped cul-de-sac of Feketesas Street to mark Car-Free Day. The aim of the event was to draw attention to the diverse uses of public spaces and to revive the old, communal atmosphere of Szeged’s city center, once characterized by markets and street events. Besides a number of other programs, participants could meet members of aPont Szeged and learn about the causes and issues we are working on. The enthusiastic participation of locals made the event truly memorable, filling Feketesas Street with life and community spirit for a few hours, just like in the old days. We are delighted with the turnout and look forward to the next event.

Community Picnic

On September 14, a community-building picnic organized by aHang’s Békéscsaba aPont was held at the Árnyas Terrace in Doboz-Szanazug. The all-day program attracted dozens of attendees and featured discussions on critical topics such as democracy, press freedom, and the potential for civic activism. Tamás Tóth, a journalist, enriched the event with inspiring conversations, while participants shared ideas and experiences. Delicious paprika potato stew and engaging activities brought people closer together, and we developed new plans to advance local and national causes.

Crisis in Elderly Care – Change Needed in Békéscsaba!

In the summer, a local petition was launched addressing the crisis in elderly care. With Békéscsaba’s aging population, the care system is in a critical state. There are too few residential facilities, long waiting lists, and inadequate support for home nursing. Most elderly individuals prefer to remain at home, highlighting the need to improve home support services. The care of the elderly profoundly impacts not only those affected but also their families. The Békés aPont considers this issue a priority and will continue to participate in similar initiatives.

Retreat

The first two-day retreat of aPont Miskolc was exceptionally successful. Held at the Tisza Lake, the event included training sessions and team-building games, strengthening the community while fostering a creative and inspiring atmosphere. During the retreat, we began organizing the "Day for the City" program and strategizing for another grant application. The highlight of the weekend was the election and formal appointment of the local aPont leader, further solidifying a sense of unity.

""Day for the City""

On October 12, we organized the "Day for the City" event in Miskolc at the Otthonka Café. The goal was to showcase the work of local and county-level NGOs, facilitate networking, and provide opportunities to join our initiatives. Alongside serious discussions, the program included entertaining elements: actor Ferenc Fandl performed a satirical election-themed show, and students from the Bartók Béla Secondary School of Music held a jazz concert that created a special atmosphere.

Freedom Day

On October 19, we held aHang’s Freedom Day in Nyíregyháza by the picturesque Bujtos Lake. The event aimed to introduce aHang’s nationwide activities and the Nyíregyháza aPont while building an active, committed community. More than 50 attendees participated, enjoying diverse programs that appealed to a wide range of interests. Seven distinct “freedom points” offered unique experiences, such as collecting stamps in a freedom passport, signing petitions on local and national issues, and expressing opinions at the Bujtos Park Corner campaign stand—even by shouting them out loud, if desired.

Chinese Delegation

After the general elections, a Chinese delegation visited Pásztó, but little information was available about the purpose and content of their visit. To find out more, the Pásztó aPont sent an open letter to the mayor in July, urging transparency and public consultation before any development is implemented in the town.

Saving Abandoned Trees

On August 5, after the elections, during the scorching summer heat, we launched a tree-watering campaign with the motto encouraging everyone to "adopt a propaganda tree." Many of the 10,000 trees planted before the elections were not properly cared for.

Protests and Internal Developments

Late summer saw the volunteers of aPont Budapest actively participating in the aforementioned education-focused protest, culminating in the event where “soldiers escorted us into the ministry.” On September 20, we stood by Iványi Gábor at Blaha Lujza Square, protesting the closure of his schools. Less than a week later, on September 26, we spent two hours waiting for Secretary of State for Families Zsófia Koncz at her workplace while getting hundreds of leaflets into the building.

These events demonstrated the flexibility and commitment of the aPont Budapest team. Additionally, the year’s focus was on internal organization: holding group meetings, setting goals, and welcoming new members, laying the groundwork for success in 2025.

We have taken on a challenging task, but we believe that some issues go beyond symbolism and genuinely serve the country as a whole. That’s why we have made it our mission to limit the term of the prime minister’s position to 8 years, or two terms.

This initiative does not target any specific party or individual but was born out of the need for the long-term sustainability and development of Hungary’s political system.

The continuous renewal of democratic governance is in everyone’s common interest.

This autumn, news emerged that István Tiborcz, the prime minister’s son-in-law, pays almost no profit tax and no corporate tax at all. Over the past five years, his companies have generated nearly 50 billion HUF in revenue, yet somehow failed to contribute to public welfare through taxes. This is no coincidence! A 2017 law categorizes Tiborcz’s companies as creating value, granting tax base deductions for renovating his hotels and office buildings. In essence, the tax system is tailored to him.

Tiborcz is not alone in this privileged position: names like Ádám Matolcsy, Lőrinc Mészáros, Árpád Habony, and Gyula Balásy are familiar to most. These individuals have become wealthy thanks to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

In October 2024, the government announced yet another national consultation. During the last consultation, hundreds of thousands of us raised our voices against the deceitful propaganda and stood for real issues. This time, we are not staying silent either. We launched a campaign urging people to officially opt out of receiving national consultations in their mailboxes. We created a website that provides a step-by-step guide on how to cancel national consultations through the Client Gate system.

But we didn’t stop there—on November 7, we planted hundreds of saplings to offset the environmental impact of the national consultation leaflets.

The sky is blue, and the state of emergency is extended. Hungary has been under some form of special legal regime, crisis, or state of emergency for over 3,000 days. It has been called a mass migration crisis, a COVID-19 emergency, an energy emergency, and since 2022, a war emergency.

In early November, Viktor Orbán and his associates extended the state of emergency once again, this time until May 2025. It’s evident that the Hungarian government uses emergency governance to consolidate its power and gain political capital.

One of the biggest political scandals of the past six months was caused by Balázs Orbán, who stated, “Based on 1956, we likely wouldn’t have done what President Zelensky did 2.5 years ago because it was irresponsible, as it led his country into a defensive war...” According to the statements of the Prime Minister’s Political Director, Hungary would not have defended itself against Russian military aggression. With this, he not only dishonored the memory of the heroes of 1956 but also disregarded our country’s sovereignty.

One of aHang’s earliest campaigns aims to double the family allowance and make it inflation-proof. The family allowance has not changed since 2008, with its base amount remaining 12,200 HUF, having lost over half its value. It could be a crucial tool in the fight against child poverty.

On the morning of September 26, we waited for two hours outside the workplace of Zsófia Koncz, Secretary of State for Families, while getting hundreds of flyers into the building. The state secretary’s responsibility should include advocating for an increase in the family allowance, so we sought her support. Although she did not arrive at work during our wait, we handed our petition, signed by nearly 70,000 people, to one of her colleagues.

Thanks to our supporters, we rented nearly fifty billboard spaces in cities across the country to draw pedestrians’ attention to the need to increase the family allowance.

In June 2024, we launched a campaign to combat menstrual poverty. Days earlier, news broke that a domestic supermarket chain was offering its private-label menstrual products at a discount equivalent to the VAT rate. With the support of over 11,000 people, we managed to bring two supermarket chains to the negotiating table.

Both meetings ended positively, with the stores’ representatives agreeing on the importance of combating menstrual poverty and committing to collective action.

In October 2024, shocking news emerged that hundreds of babies—some even healthy—spend months or years in hospitals due to shortcomings in the child protection system. This situation gravely endangers the physical and mental development of these children, as hospitals cannot provide the stability and familial environment they need.

The government’s approach to the healthcare crisis has been marked by cynicism and hypocrisy. The blame is always placed elsewhere, while the government claims to be doing everything possible. Yet, the reality is that the public healthcare system has been systematically dismantled over the past 14 years, while billions have been funneled into private healthcare.

Every working Hungarian contributes a considerable amount to social insurance, yet many are forced into private care. We launched a petition demanding that the government prioritize public healthcare over private hospitals.

As has become customary in recent years, this school year also began with scandals. Just days before the year opening ceremony, the principal of Madách Imre High School in Budapest was dismissed from their position. The justification given was that “a leader who does not comply with and openly opposes regulations cannot lead a state institution.”

The real reason for their dismissal was the principal’s protest against the latest government regulation restricting the use of mobile phones and smart devices in schools—effectively confiscating them. The teaching staff of Madách Imre High School unanimously agreed that the new regulation does not serve the students' interests. They argued that instead of an outright ban, the conscious and responsible use of these devices should be taught. A complete ban contradicts the principles of modern education and the necessity of developing digital competencies.

We participated in the demonstration organized by the students of Madách Imre High School, and our solidarity petition gathered more than 17,000 signatures.

An even greater scandal surrounded the schools of the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship (MET) led by Gábor Iványi.

Year by year, we get less for the same amount of money, and the prices of seasonal vegetables have skyrocketed. Even the most essential food items have become drastically more expensive in stores and markets. At the checkout, we often have to decide whether to choose cheaper alternatives instead of fresh vegetables and fruits.

In 2023, we launched a campaign urging the reduction of VAT on vegetables, fruits, and other basic food items.

The petition titled "Love Forests, Love Life" was launched to protect forests from intensive logging practices, such as clear-cutting, which severely endanger ecosystems, public health, and exacerbate the negative effects of climate change. The gravity of the situation is illustrated by the fact that even protected areas, such as Natura 2000 zones, are frequently subjected to clear-cutting.

The petition calls for an immediate ban on clear-cutting and the introduction of sustainable forestry practices, such as continuous cover forestry and selective logging systems.

The petition titled "Hands Off the Pilis!" protests the reopening of a quarry near Csobánka and plans to fill it with waste. The campaign's organizers and local residents fear the natural, ecologically valuable area will become an industrial zone, causing severe harm to the environment, local wildlife, and residents' quality of life.

The environmental impact assessments have been criticized by the campaign starters as biased, treating Csobánka as an industrial area and overlooking the actual effects of quarrying, such as noise, dust, and heavy vehicle traffic.

The Statue of Liberty on Gellért Hill is one of Budapest’s iconic symbols. Created by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl in 1947, it symbolizes freedom and peace and has become a defining landmark of Budapest. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage, preserving the statue and its surroundings in their original form and spirit is especially important. However, current renovation plans by a government-associated contractor propose altering the statue’s 75-year-old appearance.

One of the proposed changes is to place a massive cross at the statue’s base. This addition would contradict the original spirit of the work and disregard the objections of Kisfaludi Strobl’s legal successors. They have explicitly opposed the cross, arguing it desecrates the artist’s original intent and meaning of the statue.

A petition launched on aHang’s platform was signed by nearly 25,000 people in record time.

The Tókaji Park Forest and Zselic Woods, vital green spaces for Kaposvár and its residents, are at risk. A proposed two-lane expressway threatens this unique natural environment, endangering forests, wildlife, and the peace and clean air of nearby communities.

Nearly 6,000 people have signed a petition by locals.

Our petition, launched in November 2024, aims to prevent the sale of the last undeveloped waterfront property on the Tihany Peninsula. Located at 6 Kenderföldi Road, this area boasts outstanding natural values and is one of Tihany’s last untouched coastal zones. An auction announced by the Hungarian National Asset Management Inc. threatens this unique landscape with potential development by government-linked business figures who may disregard environmental regulations.

The second half of 2024 brought significant changes to our organization. This year, we introduced a new training structure, and over the past 6 months, we trained 20 activists actively engaged in local aPont groups. Not only are we expanding in the counties where we are already present, but new counties are also joining our network. In this way, starting from early 2025, we will begin building our presence in Pest, Heves, and Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok counties.

In June, we stated that while the 2026 elections seemed far away, events would soon accelerate, along with the government’s propaganda machinery. Looking back on the past months, we were right: we have been witnessing a barrage of smear campaigns, surveillance operations, an extended state of emergency, and redrawn electoral districts...

This is how we approach 2025, the year before the next parliamentary elections. It will be a challenging year, with every political actor ramping up their campaign efforts to fight for every last vote. The current government will do everything it can to maintain its power, using its machinery to grind people down.

We at aHang wake up and go to bed with the mission of holding politicians accountable for their wrongdoings.