Direkt36
Inside Viktor Orbán’s failure to achieve his demographic goal
The Prime Minister has long said that he would like to grow the population of Hungary without bringing in immigrants. In recent years, however, not only has the number of births fallen, but the number of people leaving the country has also soared. According to a comprehensive data analysis by Direkt36, many young people left as well, which poses huge risks for the country.
Direkt36
This Is How Orbán Let Go of Healthcare Reform – Hemorrhaging Hospitals III.
“No reform, that's my motto” - a few years ago, this was the prime minister's explanation for not touching healthcare. But in 2010 he made big promises to improve the system.
Direkt36
“If they operated her then, she might have survived” – Hemorrhaging Hospitals II.
Closing hospital wards jeopardizes the safe treatment of patients. The problem is particularly acute in smaller rural institutions. Direkt36 uses the story of a deceased pregnant woman to illustrate the deterioration of healthcare in the region.
Direkt36
An Unprecedented Look at How Hungary’s Healthcare System Is Falling Apart – Hemorrhaging Hospitals I.
The government is trying to hide the problems Hungarian hospitals are facing. However, Direkt36 used artificial intelligence to process more than a thousand official documents, which paint a devastating picture of how healthcare professionals struggle on a daily basis.
The Russian Connection
Pro-Orbán propagandist’s ties to Russian intelligence exposed during national security screening
Georg Spöttle, a regular presence in pro-Orbán media, has come under scrutiny after one of his close acquaintances failed a background check—triggered by concerns over Spöttle’s Russian connections. Information obtained by Direkt36 reveals that Spöttle had a close relationship with an officer from the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency.
The Russian Connection
How US sanctions crushed Hungary’s Nuclear Plant Project
Despite the Orbán-government's lobbying with the Trump administration, the sanctions against the Russian bank that plays a key role in the Paks expansion remain in place. According to Direkt36 information, however, payments arounds the project have essentially stopped.
Orbán and the economy
Orbán made a secret trip to Saudi Arabia, where he met with the country’s top leader
The Prime Minister traveled to Riyadh in October 2022 with a small entourage. According to Direkt36, even within the government only a few people knew about the trip, the purpose of which is still not entirely clear.
Advisors of the State
Luxury car rentals and cheap loans revealed in leaked documents from a Hungarian company that has been stuffed with taxpayers’ money
Among the documents obtained by Direkt36 are those relating to the planned lease of a Porsche 911, although the company says the deal never took place. The majority owner of the company, which also manages state funds, has private ties to Antal Rogán.
Offshore Secrets
This is how the Matolcsy empire is built in Dubai
Direkt36 has uncovered new details about two companies with close links to Ádám Matolcsy, the son of former MNB Governor György Matolcsy. The companies deal in high-end luxury real estate and other local businesses.
Chinatown
We Investigated China’s Foreign Intimidation Operations. It Led Us to the Leader of a Hungary-based Organization
An international team of investigative journalists has looked into how China silences its critics living abroad. Direkt36 traced the head of an organization based in Hungary, who has also been in contact with high-ranking Hungarian government politicians.
The Businesses of Orbán's Family
The Finnish prime minister’s delegation was directed by the Hungarian government to the hotel of Viktor Orbán’s son-in-law
Direkt36 has obtained new evidence of how the Hungarian state is directing foreign diplomatic delegations to Hotel Dorothea, one of the hotels owned by the Prime Minister's son-in-law, István Tiborcz.
Opposition Maneuvers
Inside the rise of Viktor Orbán’s unexpected challenger
Once an Orbán loyalist, in 2023 Péter Magyar was excluded from an exclusive pro-government club, a move that marked his growing alienation from Fidesz’s inner circles. His deteriorating relationship with a prominent minister, alongside mounting frustrations, pushed him toward a dramatic break with the ruling party. Magyar soon emerged as prime minister Viktor Orbán’s most prominent challenger, reshaping Hungarian politics within weeks. Direkt36’s investigation tells the story of the new and unlikely challenger of Orbán.
Advisors of the State
The State Audit Office found huge asset losses and other serious problems at the Hungarian National Bank’s foundation, according to a leaked draft report
A lot of money has been lost from the Hungarian National Bank's foundation as a result of bad decisions, but the people around former governor of the central bank György Matolcsy's son have still benefited. Direkt36 has obtained a draft report from the State Audit Office of Hungary on the management of the central bank's much-criticized foundation, which has hundreds of billions of forints of assets.
Hospital-acquired infections
They thought they would be in good hands at the prestigious hospital. Instead, they caught a dangerous infection, were abandoned, and humiliated.
Two women whose suffering reflects the crisis in the Hungarian healthcare system were treated at the clinics of Semmelweis University. The mistreatment is also common in other hospitals, and the government is aware of it, but has not taken any meaningful action. Direkt36's healthcare investigation continues.
Direkt36
Our only source of power is our audience
Originally part of Nieman Report's "Dear America" series of essays that appeared November 26, 2024, we published the Hungarian version of our founder and editor András Pethő's article on Hungarian Press Freedom Day, 2025.
Advisors of the State
The desperate minister, the lawyer linked to Fidesz and the leaking billions – the corruption trial of Ministry of Agriculture continues with new twists
More and more pro-Fidesz figures are appearing in the court case linked to the Ministry of Agriculture. Meanwhile, minister István Nagy was only worried about what he had signed. Direkt36 has learned new details about the twisted case.
The Businesses of Orbán's Family
“The Dynasty” – here is Direkt36’s documentary about the economic empire of the Orbán family
The documentary film by the investigative center tells the story of the business dealings of the Prime Minister's family over several decades. With hidden camera footage, we also show the luxurious world built by Viktor Orbán’s son-in-law István Tiborcz and his daughter Ráhel Orbán.
Offshore Secrets
“I don’t even know how I got here” – billionaire defendant testifies in Ministry trial
Kristóf Nobilis is accused of financial fraud in a lawsuit over an alleged mismanagement of billions of forints in the Ministry of Agriculture.
Direkt36
Direkt36 journalist András Szabó received this year’s László Szente Prize
The prize was founded in memory of Hungarian journalist László Szente, who died in 2022, by his former colleagues, Katalin Rangos and Sándor Friderikusz.
The Businesses of Orbán's Family
Orbán family’s luxury hotel profits from EU leaders’ Budapest summit
The Hungarian EU Presidency has proposed several hotels for guests arriving for the summit on 7-8 November. According to Direkt36, the Dorothea Hotel, owned by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's son-in-law, has been specifically recommended to the guests.
Orbán and the economy
Orbán and the economy, part 3: A tool for staying in power
Although Viktor Orbán has amassed considerable knowledge of economics over the decades, he sometimes has serious shortcomings. And he has now become the prime architect of economic policy, while creating a system in which it is difficult to get back to him when there is a problem with an idea. The final part of the Direkt36 series of articles on the Hungarian economy is the behind-the-scenes story of Orbán's economic policy.
Orbán and the economy
Orbán and the economy, part two: Márton Nagy, the prime minister’s new economic magician
The inside story of the quick rise of Márton Nagy, the minister in charge of rebooting the economy. He keeps making enemies both inside and outside the government but still enjoys the trust of Viktor Orbán.
Direkt36
Direkt36’s journalists won Soma Prize once again
(Magyar) Panyi Szabolcs és Pethő András kapta a rangos elismerést a hírszerzés ellentmondásos műveleteiről és egy titkosszolgálati razziáról szóló cikkükért.
Chinatown
How the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front extends its influence in Hungary
In several countries, people from what is said to be the Chinese state party's intelligence agency have been exposed for trying to influence local politics. The United Front has extensive network in Hungary as well.
Hospital-acquired infections
Hungary has lagged behind Europe in the fight against hospital-acquired infections for the past five years
Although Hungarian hospitals have made some progress, they still lag significantly behind the European average. Direkt36 has obtained data showing which Hungarian hospitals are lagging behind the most in taking infection tests or hand disinfection.
The Businesses of Orbán's Family
EU Investigators Probing Orbán’s Son-in-Law Surveilled, Sparking Intelligence Agency Infighting
Direkt36 has revealed that during János Lázár's administration, the Information Office was monitoring OLAF staff investigating suspicious projects linked to the son-in-law of Viktor Orbán. They tried to find these documents when people from other services invaded the office's headquarters in the summer of 2018.
Orbán and the economy
Orbán and the economy, part one: The rise and fall of György Matolcsy
In recent years, the Hungarian economy, which has been dominated for nearly a decade and a half by prime minister Viktor Orbán and a few of his confidants, has been struggling. What kind of infighting has been going on between them, and how has Orbán’s thinking on economic policy has evolved? The first part of our behind-the-scenes account focuses on the relationship of Orbán and central bank president György Matolcsy, the prime minister’s longtime ally who is now a fierce critic of the government’s economic policies.
Offshore Secrets
The son of the Hungarian National Bank’s governor rented a luxury villa in Dubai
Direkt36 has obtained an official document according to which Ádám Matolcsy, who got rich with the help of state funds, rented a villa worth HUF 3.5 billion (EUR 9.4 million) in Dubai. It is a property advertised as having at least eight bathrooms and a private beach.
MCC
Outstanding salaries, inconsistent performance among teachers – new internal data leaked on MCC spendings
Direkt36 has obtained additional internal documents regarding the expenses of the government-affiliated educational institution. These documents reveal that certain instructors receive exceptionally high salaries compared to the standards of Hungarian higher education, while their performance is inconsistent.
Advisors of the State
Minister Péter Szijjártó was at the forefront of the construction of a BMW factory. His old friend’s company also benefited from the work
The government has given huge amounts of support to help build the factory in Debrecen. Direkt36 found out that a company owned a few years ago by an old friend and colleague of the Foreign Minister was involved in the works.
Secrets of the Propaganda Machine
Ex-wife of Antal Rogan is still making huge business successes with her tabloid. Alongside pro-government companies, ATV and Index are also behind it
Once again, the company publishes the online tabloid Top World News has made a profit of more than HUF 1 billion. According to Direkt36's research, the site twn.hu is still full of government and pro-government advertisements, and has been cited several times by ATV's news site and Index.
Direkt36
It is rare to see in such detail the astonishing disappearance of taxpayer billions
Direkt36 uncovered another story about the operations of a state company that secretly financed several important projects of the Orbán government. Internal documents reveal in great detail how nearly 7 billion forints got stuck in the failed bank of György Matolcsy's cousin.
Hidden assets
The hidden €664 million: the vast majority of donations to European political parties come from unknown sources
An international team of investigative journalists has examined donations to major European political parties. In Hungary this practice is more or less transparent, but there are some problems with party funding
Offshore Secrets
Dubai luxury apartments bought by a company linked to the inner circle of the son of Hungary’s central bank governor
As part of the Dubai Unlocked investigation, Direkt36 has found that a company with links to the inner circle of Ádám Matolcsy, the son of the Hungarian central bank's president, has bought several luxury apartments in Dubai.
The Russian Connection
Orbán blocked the idea that could have pushed out Russia from Hungary’s nuclear plant expansion
Last year, there were talks in government circles about starting building a third nuclear power plant with the French, which could have led to the insignificance of the Russian-built Paks II. Direkt36 learned new details about the Orbán government's big power maneuvers in nuclear issues.