How to Unwind Viktor Orbán’s Web of Corruption: Start With the Zebras

In 2013, Viktor Orbán implemented a plan that struck many observers as curious: The Hungarian premier banned sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products at private stores, limiting them to state-licensed outlets. These quickly opened in almost every neighborhood and village in the country of 9 million people—some 5,000 locations in all—hidden behind blacked-out windows and emblazoned with a distinctive brown logo declaring “National Tobacco Shop” in a bold, art-deco font. Orbán had pitched the idea as an antismoking measure, barring entry to anyone under 18 and prohibiting virtually all ads. And, Orbán insisted, the move would channel profits away from “large multinational companies” and into Hungarian pockets.

It soon became clear that Orbán had other motives. Even as the sales ban drove hundreds of mom-and-pop stores into bankruptcy, licenses for the state-approved shops seemed to be going primarily to people with connections to Orbán’s Fidesz party. The brother of a minister’s bodyguard was awarded several concessions; a Fidesz mayor’s 19-year-old son won three; in another village, the mayor’s wife got two. There was no corruption, Orbán told state radio at the time, since some “left-wing” bidders had also won. Still, he added, “Why should we turn our back on our supporters?”