The Hungarian media group Indamedia, 50% owned by pro-government businessman Miklos Vaszily, announced on Friday the acquisition of a large portfolio of titles, including the country's leading popular newspaper, Glance.
This operation comes a few months before the general elections scheduled for April 2026, a decisive vote for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces an opposition united behind the new centrist party Tisza, currently leading in the polls.
In a joint statement, Indamedia and the tabloid's former owner confirmed the transaction without disclosing the amount. This acquisition significantly strengthens the pro-Orbán camp's influence on the Hungarian media landscape, already largely dominated by pro-government groups.
Miklos Vaszily, a key figure in the sector, has contributed in recent years to the consolidation of media aligned with the government, notably through the creation of the KESMA foundation, which brings together more than 400 press outlets favorable to the Fidesz party.
The opposition immediately denounced a "new attack on media pluralism", accusing the government of using media concentration to control public opinion in the run-up to the election.
Viktor Orbán, in power since 2010, has been regularly criticized by the European Union for his control over the media, the judiciary, and democratic institutions. This acquisition risks further fueling Brussels' concerns about press freedom in Hungary.
