Speaking at a press conference in Budapest on Wednesday, Wilmès said a visiting delegation from the Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) had found a changed political climate and significant reforms in progress.

Wilmès, who led the delegation, recalled that its previous visit had raised concerns about judicial independence, media freedom, civil society and fundamental rights, alongside a weakening of democracy.

At that time, the delegation believed conditions were steadily deteriorating and the government was unwilling to address the problems. Members had also felt they were received with hostility, she said.

The situation appeared to have changed since the spring election, Wilmès said, noting the ruling Tisza Party’s campaign commitments to restore the rule of law and protect democratic values.

The three-day visit aimed to assess developments since the election, the challenges facing the new government and how the European Union could support its efforts.

Delegates met representatives of the media, civil society and human rights organizations, academia and the judiciary. On Wednesday morning, they also met government representatives, the president and politicians from several parties, including those without parliamentary seats.

Despite the encouraging developments, Wilmès said concerns remained, including restrictions on lawmakers’ terms of office.

She noted plans for a new electoral law and expressed hope that it would strengthen political pluralism, adding that a two-thirds parliamentary majority should be the exception rather than the norm.

Other priorities included tackling corruption and strengthening media freedom and civil society.

Wilmès cautioned that restoring the rule of law could not happen overnight. Electing a party with a large majority on a promise of reform was insufficient on its own, she said; the government also needed to demonstrate a clear commitment to delivering it.