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Danube's rising water levels threaten new areas
With the Danube expected to surge to its highest levels in a decade, Hungary is preparing for a challenging test of its flood defenses. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has described the flood as one of Hungary’s most significant challenges. He warned that the water level will peak in Budapest on September 21, following seven days of intense flood-prevention efforts.
"Hungary has gained valuable experience in flood protection from previous floods, and both professionals and volunteers know exactly what to do," Orbán said. The flooding, triggered by Storm Boris, has already claimed at least 20 lives across the region. In rural areas, holiday homes have been flooded, leaving devastation in their wake. The storm brought months' worth of rainfall in just a few days, making it one of the most severe storms to hit Europe.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony announced plans to deploy 1 million sandbags to bolster the city's defenses against the rising waters.
Tisza Party narrows gap with Fidesz to just 4-5%
New polling data from Medián reveals a tightening race between Tisza party and Fidesz, with the governing party now leading by just 4-5%. Among the entire voting-age population, Fidesz' lead shrank from 11% in July to 5% in September, and for committed voters, the gap narrowed from 12% to 4% during the same period. Reflecting on the newly founded Tisza party's growing support, Orbán remarked at a recent private meeting: “The domestic political landscape has shifted.”
The survey suggests Hungary may be heading toward a two-party system, with other opposition groups falling below the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation. Magyar told HVG that several “oligarchs,” have already approached him, seeking to back the winning side ahead of the 2026 elections.
A series of bans on the loan agreement for the Budapest-Belgrade railway line
A quarry owned by the Orbán family has reportedly supplied construction materials for the renovation of the Budapest-Belgrade railway, a key project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, 444.hu reported. Internal documents reveal that over 200,000 tons of stone were transported from the Orbán family’s mine in Gánt during 2022-23, with the materials allegedly ordered by companies linked to Lőrinc Mészáros, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s childhood friend. Mészáros’ firms are believed to be the main contractors for the railway.
The mine is reportedly owned by Győző Orbán Sr., the prime minister’s father, with Orbán’s brother, Győző Orbán Jr., and his son, Dávid Orbán, also listed as managing directors. The Hungarian state secured a loan from China to finance the controversial infrastructure project.
444.hu obtained the Serbian-Chinese loan agreement for the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, which gives a detailed picture of what the Hungarian-Chinese contract could look like.It is not known exactly what conditions and interest rates China imposed on the loan.
Novák back in public life as CEO of NGO focused on birthrate decline
Former president Katalin Novák has revealed that she will be taking on a new role as the head of an NGO. Novák, who stepped down from her position followtin controversy in February, will become CEO of XY Worldwide, an organisation focused on developing "pioneering solutions" to address the global decline in birth rates. According to the announcement, Novák is also a co-founder of the initiative.
Novák stepped down as President in February, following revelations that she had granted a presidential pardon to a former deputy director of a children’s home involved in covering up paedophile crimes. The pardon sparked outrage, particularly as it contradicted Fidesz’s core political stance of safeguarding children.