Opposition MP Anna Orosz resigns, says ‘Orbán regime is twisting my arm’
Anna Orosz, a lawmaker of the opposition Momentum, is resigning her seat in parliament and will not run in the 2026 general election.
Orosz said on Facebook on Monday that she felt she had been unable to fulfil her task, which she saw since her election in 2019 as “working in the interests of the residents of Újbuda and Hungarians to the best of my abilities.”
In the post featuring a photo of Orosz at a demonstration, with two policemen twisting her arms back, she said: “I feel I am unable to do that as a member of parliament. The regime is twisting my arm, literally and figuratively, whenever I try to do anything for the voters.”
“The Orbán regime has curtailed lawmakers’ room for manoeuvre until there is barely anything we can still do in parliament,” Orosz said, adding that “the key to toppling the system is that we all leave its framework.”
Orosz added in a comment that under an amendment of the electoral law, her place would be filled from the party list rather than in a by-election, as it is being vacated within a year of a general election.
Orosz’s Facebook post
Read Anna Orosz’s post in English below:
“I AM RESIGNING FROM MY PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE
This photo of me was taken exactly three weeks ago, and I wasn’t happy about it. I didn’t like it because it was painful to see the expression of helplessness on my face — a feeling that perhaps, at the moment this photo was taken, finally became unbearable for me.
During the blockade, I felt the urge to stand up both for the right to assembly and for the LGBTQ community. At the same time, I realised that this approach, unfortunately, is not yielding results. Don’t get me wrong: I still believe we must stand up for our fundamental rights and for fellow citizens who are attacked by those in power. But as a politician, one must do more than just stand up—we must be able to effect change.
This inner conflict didn’t start now. 3 April 2022 was one of the most contradictory days of my life. Thanks to the efforts of many, we managed to unseat István Simicskó from his individual seat in Újbuda, yet Fidesz achieved its strongest national result ever. Since then, as Újbuda’s MP, I’ve focused on fighting against environmentally damaging and corrupt government projects in the district. On a national level, my main issues were child welfare, public education, and child protection.
A few weeks ago, I revealed that Szabolcs Kedves, a former caregiver with the Csaba Böjte Foundation who was sentenced by a Romanian court to 28 years in prison for sexually abusing children, was granted Hungarian citizenship by the Orbán government. I can hardly imagine a bigger scandal just one year after the presidential pardon case—yet again, there were no consequences.
This is where I am now. When I stand up for our democratic rights and for people attacked by the government, the Orbán regime literally and figuratively twists my arms and detains me. This isn’t just about me—it’s about the 70,000 people in Újbuda who chose me to represent them. The Orbán regime’s response to my finding out that the man who received the most severe sentence for child sexual abuse in a Romanian court was granted Hungarian citizenship by Fidesz is: nothing.
Although Fidesz has worked hard to hollow out the role of parliament, I must also acknowledge that both my political environment and I bear responsibility for how things have turned out. I’ve made many mistakes. Often, I failed to rally support for good causes. I wasn’t always tactful or effective enough. But one thing is certain: throughout all of this, my intention was always to bring about change and improve the common good.
To me, being a member of parliament is a service, not an ordinary job. It’s a great honour—but also a great responsibility. Since 2019, I’ve seen it as my duty to work for the people of Újbuda and for Hungarians as a whole, to the best of my abilities. But now I feel that I can no longer do that as an MP. This system twists my arms—again, both literally and figuratively—every time I try to act in the voters’ interest.
Under these circumstances, I’m convinced that the only way I can honour the trust placed in me by voters is by stepping aside. Remaining in this position would only hinder meaningful change. The Orbán regime has deliberately restricted MPs’ room to manoeuvre to the point where almost nothing can be achieved in parliament. Therefore, as of today, I resign my parliamentary mandate and will not run again in 2026, in any form.
I believe the key to bringing down this regime lies in stepping outside of its framework. And I believe the only way to ensure that such an oppressive system never takes root in Hungary again is by holding its chief architects accountable after its fall—while recognising those who made personal sacrifices to step outside the system. Just like the teachers who went on strike over public education issues, fully aware that they were putting their beloved profession at risk. The regime ultimately removed them from their schools. I have endless respect for them—their actions served the interests of children and democracy to the highest degree.
What’s next? Honestly, I don’t know yet. But I do know this: I consider child protection to be our most important common cause. Nothing says more about the state of our society than how we treat our most vulnerable children. I will try to find a way to continue the work I’ve started, and I’m incredibly grateful to the many people in the child protection field who’ve supported me.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank the voters of Újbuda who placed their trust in me in 2022.
I’m also grateful to the amazing people who helped me along the way to getting elected and beyond.
And finally, I want to sincerely thank the entire Momentum community. For many years, I shared in the hope of change with you. I’ve had unforgettable experiences with wonderful people. I know many of you continue to fight with genuine conviction for a freer, more accepting Hungary. Regardless of my personal decision, I deeply respect your perseverance,” Orosz wrote on Facebook.
Read more about the Momentum Movement HERE.
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