The two leaders said they wouldn't accept a rule of law mechanism contained in the €1.8 billion EU budget and pandemic recovery package, further holding up the badly needed funds as European economies shrink. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Orbán argues the rule of law mechanism is an attempt to blackmail Hungary into accepting migrants, but some EU leaders say European taxpayers are fed up with funding projects in countries that violate fundamental rights. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
A host of late-night draft bills would change Hungary's election law, cement access of Fidesz-tied foundations to public funds, and further marginalize the LGBTQ community.
Orbán announced a curfew of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Tuesday at midnight as deaths and hospitalizations continue to rise to record levels.
A midnight curfew, the closing of discos, and reduction of capacities at events and theatres are among the only measures taken by the government during the second wave, but still lag far behind steps taken by other European countries. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says the Hungarian government interfered in Ukraine's internal affairs when officials campaigned in a local election in Transcarpathia. FM Szijjártó called the accusation "pathetic nonsense". This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Foreign Minister Szijjártó demanded Biden respond to corruption allegations involving his son's business dealings in Ukraine. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Government-appointed leadership is taking increasingly aggressive measures to bring an end to the occupation and strike at the university. Also: Fidesz retains its two-thirds majority with by-election, coronavirus deaths surpass 1,000, and a Budapest district prohibits construction of permanent housing for the homeless.
Five days after the man's death, the Chief Medical Officer said she would request his medical report from the hospital. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Fears of an economic downturn and its electoral consequences are driving the Hungarian government's Covid policy as scientists go unheard.
The mechanized infantry officer was chosen by a government-appointed board of directors, which students and faculty have rejected as the occupation of the university enters its second month. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Imported and homespun modern disinformation campaigns - designed to confuse and disorient audiences - have led to polarization, political tribalism and shifting geopolitical dynamics. An interview with political scientist and disinformation expert Dr. Péter Krekó.
The ministry said that journalists attending training courses abroad was part of a political attack by George Soros. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
The Prime Minister said Hungarians don't want the country to shut down as it did during the coronavirus' first wave. Also this week: EU countries impose restrictions on travelers from Hungary, US Ambassador David Cornstein resigns, and Foreign Minister Szijjártó says Trump deserves the Nobel Prize.
Active coronavirus cases are nearly triple the highest total from the first wave in spring as the disease spreads throughout the country. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Students and leadership at SzFE argue a new board of directors stacked with government appointees threatens to place the university under political control. Also this week: V4 citizens permitted to travel to Hungary, media organizations call on the EU to act on Hungary undermining media freedom, and public workers stage a three-day strike.
Requests by public employee trade unions to be allowed to work from home were denied, and now they are planning a three-day strike in September. This and other stories in this week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Hungary's LGBTQ festival has weathered two and a half decades of struggle for tolerance and equal rights. A history of its victories and setbacks.
The foreign minister posted pictures of himself to social media, working in his office on a diplomatic response to the crisis in Belarus. He was actually vacationing in the Adriatic on a luxury yacht owned by a government-tied billionaire. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
The six largest opposition parties announced they will author a common platform and run joint candidates in all electoral districts in a bid to unseat Fidesz.
At a meeting in Minsk in June, Alexander Lukashenko told Viktor Orbán than Hungary "understands us more than any other" country in the EU. Plus: Hungary buys $1 billion US missile defense system, Mike Pompeo skips visit to Budapest, and other stories from this week.
The detainees have asked to meet with lawyers and journalists, and complain of overcrowding at the detention center. Plus, leadership at Index.hu struggles to hire new staff after mass resignations, Hungary donates €1 million to Beirut, and more stories from this week.
Several journalists have resigned so far after their demands for the reinstatement of Szabolcs Dull were rejected. Also, Viktor Orbán claims victory over EU budget negotiations, and other stories from this week.
The firing of Szabolcs Dull came after weeks of shakeups at Hungary's largest news outlet which led staff to believe the site's independence was under attack.
The Hungarian government says it will only approve the desperately needed measures if rule of law conditions are removed and Article 7 proceedings closed.
The complex story of Index.hu and its struggle to resist outside interference is emblematic of a decade of attacks on Hungary's pluralistic media ecosystem.
Orbán joined the leaders of Slovenia and Serbia and emphasized an East-West divide in Europe. Also, external advisor recommends removal of Index editor-in-chief, and other important stories from this week.
19,000 pornographic images of minors were found by an international investigation on computers owned by the former ambassador to Peru. This and other stories from the week.
Students, teachers and sympathizers opposed plans to bring the University of Theatre and Film Arts under the control of a foundation led by government appointees. This and more stories from the week.
Editorial staff are protesting after a shake-up intitiated by figures tied to the ruling party appears to threaten the independence of Index.hu.
Hungarian legislation requiring nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign funding to register with the government and disclose their donors violates European law, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Thursday.
The evolution of overt and covert anti-Semitism under the government of Viktor Orbán.
The 13 questions were released on Monday, and European Commissioner Vera Jourová said the commission may need to once again fact-check the questionnaire. This week's Insight Hungary newsletter.
A new round of National Consultations, uniformed guards in Hungarian schools, a Fradi midfielder reprimanded for a show of solidarity with George Floyd, and the "Slave Law 2.0" in this week's Insight Hungary newsletter.
New extraordinary powers could be granted to the government after it suspends the Authorization Act on June 20. This and other important stories from the week.
Some 280 asylum seekers were taken from the southern border to reception centers after the European Court of Justice ruled their detention was illegal. This and other important stories from this week.
The man's phone and laptop were confiscated after he shared a post by a member of Parliament. Also this week, new Special Economic Zones could come to Hungary, and the EP debates the emergency powers law.
The 64-year-old man made a post criticizing the government's decision to lift curfew restrictions the day after the peak of the pandemic. Then the police showed up.
Hungary dropped two categories in six years, leaving the group of democracies entirely. Also this week: the EC predicts a 7% drop in GDP in 2020, and Parliament rejects the Istanbul Convention on violence against women.
Budapest has created its own emergency task force, and claims the government refuses to coordinate pandemic response and has not provided adequate tests or protective equipment. This and other important stories from this week.
Government officials expect new coronavirus cases to flatten out within two weeks, raising questions about the need for radical steps to vacate hospital beds. This and more important stories from this week.
Hospitals were given eight days to vacate 36,000 beds countrywide, forcing them to disrupt treatment of chronically ill patients. This and other important stories from the week.
A new coronavirus defense fund will strip parties and municipalities of funding, and a stimulus package will leave self-employed and unemployed people without relief.
Viktor Orbán was at first reluctant to allow the coronavirus to interrupt his political plans, until he learned how to use the crisis to his advantage.
The passage of the emergency powers law, and the introduction of an omnibus draft bill that would give the government even more control over public life, caused chaos as Fidesz opponents in Hungary and abroad scambled to find a response.
The law, which is expected to pass on Tuesday, would subvert parliamentary democracy and could have serious consequences for independent media.
The Minister of Defence announced military task forces will monitor and coordinate the operations of 140 companies, and said soldiers would be on the streets beginning Friday morning.
Only pharmacies and grocery stores may keep normal opening hours as Hungary takes further steps to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Universities close, events are cancelled, and tourists stay home as Covid-19 fears ramp up in Hungary. This and other important stories from this week.
State media censors stories on Greta Thunberg, stricter rules come to the Party District, and more important stories from this week.