Imagine a country where citizens and public bodies come together to solve the most important issues they face; and allocate public funds accordingly. Where the decision-making process is transparent and accountable, and where you have a real say in the policies and services that shape your life. In Hungary, the budget process, that distributes almost half of the national income, operates against these democratic principles. The latest Open Budget Survey shows that Hungary is far behind other countries of the CEE region in almost all aspects when it comes to transparency and participation related to the national budget.

Arbitrary decisions on billions of Forints are made by a handful of cabinet members and advisors, while in many cases, even Members of the Parliament are bypassed due to COVID-related state-of-exception measures. Once in a blue moon one can read public policy analyses and articles using budget data, and even the Parliament's budget committee convenes less and less often.

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