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Trump administration removes sanctions on Orban aide
The U.S. State Department has removed sanctions on Antal Rogán, a longtime aide to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Reuters reports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó of the decision during a call on Tuesday, according to a statement from spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Rogán had been placed on the Treasury Department’s sanctions list in January under the Biden administration for alleged corruption tied to his role overseeing Hungary’s distribution of public contracts.
Rogán, who has run Orbán’s cabinet office since 2015 and helped lead Fidesz’s media and election strategies, has been a key figure in Hungary’s nationalist government. The decision to reverse the sanctions marks a shift in U.S.-Hungary relations, which had grown tense under President Biden amid concerns over democratic backsliding and Budapest’s ties to Moscow.
Fidesz MP: "The better for Ukraine, the worse for Hungarians"
Fidesz MP János Lázár held a street forum in Sarkad, Békés county this week where the audience had an option to ask questions from the politician, 444 reports. The forum has a similar format to the obligatory cross-country tour of other MP. The minister touched on various topics including banning Budapest Pride, the opposition and the Hungarian National bank's case.
He also talked a lot about the Ukraine war. He stated that “Ukraine will steal the next ten years from Hungarians”. He also spoke out against the rising opposition Tisza Party and its leader Peter Magyar who has previously expressed criticism against Lazar. “Whoever votes for the Tisza Party votes for Ukraine,” he said. Late he went on saying: ‘The better for Ukraine, the worse for Hungarians’.
Hungarian emigration reaches all-time high
Last year 41 300 Hungarians left the country, according to the latest data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, 444 reports. This is a historic high with the previous record being set in 2023, when more than 35,000 left.
The number of emigrating Hungarians increased slowly in the first half of the 2010 decade, and then started a gradual decline from 2016. Germany and the UK are not as popular desinations as in previous years, the latter linked to brits exiting the EU. The low point came in 2020 as countries then introduced strict restrictions due to the pandemic. As soon as the restrictions were eased, emigration was on the rise again, with the number of Hungarians emigrating last year rising by 113% compared to 2020.
According to the survey, Austria was the most popular destination for Hungarian expats, with slightly more than half of them choosing Austria. The neighboring country has become the most popular destination in the last 6-7 years: until 2018, emigrants preferred Germany. This year, Austria's popularity has caught up with Germany's, and from then on it has taken a more confident lead.
Hungarian Parliament adopts new constitutional amendment that bans Pride and limits rights of dual citizens
Hungary's parliament has passed a package of constitutional amendments that limits the rights of LGBTQ+ people and dual citizens, 444 reports. The changes will give the government the power to ban public LGBTQ+ events under the pretext of "protecting children". The move comes just weeks after a law was introduced prohibiting pride marches, and has drawn condemnation from rights groups that say it's a "key moment in Hungary’s shift toward illiberal governance". Outside parliament, hundreds gathered in protest, waving rainbow flags.
The amendments also allow for the suspension of citizenship of dual nationals deemed a "threat to Hungary's security or sovereignty. The ruling Fidesz party has framed the changes as a safeguard against foreign influence. Hungary's far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who earlier this year vowed a “cleanup” of his critics, and has praised the legislation for defending Hungary’s “traditional values”, claiming, “We won’t let woke ideology endanger our kids.” Critics say the latest amendments mark another step in the erosion of civil rights.