@mercedesallen @onepict for the longest time Orban’s Fidesz Party was in the EPP - the European Peoples’ Party, the “Christian Democrat” fraction in the EuroParl.
the EPP variously blocked, dissimulated, and prevented any and all criticism of Fidesz, usually supported strongly by Merkel. nothing they did - the courts reforms, the media ownership, the Soros bullshit - was allowed to interfere with the EPP support for their member.
by the time he ordered his MEPs to leave the EPP in 2021 it was far too late, Hungary was an actual fascist state. note that they were never kicked out of the EPP, they left.