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Critics of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who hold dual nationalities, may face expulsion from the country, according to activists and NGO leaders, following Fidesz’s announcement of its plan to amend the constitution as part of its political campaign.

Máté Kocsis, the parliamentary group leader of the ruling party Fidesz, shared this information on Facebook. Kocsis stated that a Hungarian citizen who holds the citizenship of another state could be expelled from Hungary if their activities are deemed by the government as endangering its national sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity, or security.

Kocsis highlighted that the measure could particularly target NGOs and journalists seen by the government as representatives of foreign interests. He indirectly referenced Hungarian-born American investor and philanthropist George Soros.

In the past years, foreign powers and speculators have unscrupulously interfered in Hungary’s internal affairs, even in electoral processes, and have been actively involved in defamatory activities against Hungary in Europe, according to Kocsis.

They have achieved this through pseudo-civil organizations, corrupt politicians, and media outlets that claim to be independent, he asserted without providing evidence.

Further details of the draft law remain unclear, including which activities could be deemed as endangering national security or sovereignty.

Public Backlash and Fears of Losing Citizenship

Opponents of Orbán have already expressed frustration over the plans. Stefano Bottoni, a historian with dual Hungarian-Italian citizenship and a fierce critic of Orbán’s rule, stated his shock over the development.

“This mixture of anger and anxiety” was how Bottoni described his feelings, while acknowledging that Orbán’s nearly 15 years of rule have prepared him for many things, but not the targeting of citizens with dual nationalities who think differently.

Bottoni referenced historical parallels from the region, where states have attempted to rid themselves of their own citizens, such as the antisemitic campaigns in Poland from 1968-1969, resulting in mass deportations.

Csaba Lukács, an Orbán critic and journalist at the independent weekly Magyar Hang, expressed his fear of losing Hungarian citizenship, drawing parallels to the rule of Romanian communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.

Lukács, who holds Romanian and Hungarian passports, recently faced questioning by the country’s intelligence service after his paper mistakenly reported that the plane of toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad had landed in Budapest.

Orbán’s Campaign Boosted by Trump’s Victory

The recent campaign against activists with multiple nationalities forms part of a broader initiative to eliminate foreign-funded critics in Hungary.

In the past, Orbán has repeatedly referred to NGOs and independent media critical of him as part of what he calls a “Soros network,” often invoked by right-wing populists as a source of disruption.

However, following US President Donald Trump’s electoral victory, Orbán has opted for more decisive actions.

In a radio speech on February 7, Orbán alleged that some Hungarians received foreign funding from Soros, the US government, and Brussels to overthrow his government.

He stated, “They need to be swept away. When, if not now? The entire Soros network needs to be dismantled… Those who accept this money need to be sanctioned.”

In late February, the Hungarian prime minister appointed a government representative to review the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) work in Hungary and its funds.

András László, a Fidesz MEP, is currently investigating which organizations and media outlets in Hungary received funding from USAID programs.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó expressed support for the proposed changes in the constitution and called for a law similar to the US Magnitsky Act to defend national interests.

The exact text of the new legislation has yet to be made public, and the parliamentary vote has not been scheduled.

The Fidesz-KDNP party alliance holds an absolute majority in parliament, so anything the governing party proposes may pass immediately.