Transparency International (TI) and Freedom House will not recommence last week’s failed cross-party talks on campaign funding.

The international civil groups said they made the decision after Fidesz gave no substantive response to their reform proposals, but underlined that they will pay special attention to next year’s campaigns and will appeal to the general public if they identify abuses.

Fidesz and the Christian Democrats expressed regret over the NGOs' decision in a statement on Wednesday, but argued that the bill they submitted to Parliament aims to make the campaign shorter and less expensive.