Against the wind: Budapest Pride celebrates its 25th year amid political pushback
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.
2020. augusztus 22.
2020. augusztus 21.
Foreign Minister Szijjártó photographed on the deck of oligarch's luxury yacht
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.
2020. augusztus 14.
Opposition parties to unite against Orbán in 2022
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.
2020. augusztus 13.
Hungarian government silent on Belarus election and violent repression of protesters
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.
2020. augusztus 6.
Foreign detainees begin hunger strike at immigration detention center
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.
2020. július 23.
Resignations begin at Index after firing of editor-in-chief, protest for press freedom planned
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.
2020. július 22.
Index.hu editor-in-chief fired amid fears of takeover
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.
2020. július 16.
Orbán accused of "blackmail" over threats to veto EU budget and coronavirus relief package
The Hungarian government says it will only approve the desperately needed measures if rule of law conditions are removed and Article 7 proceedings closed.
2020. július 14.
Index and Independence: How Hungary's Leading Outlet Became the Target of Political Control
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.
2020. július 9.
Orbán criticizes "semi-Marxist" West in "Europe Uncensored" video conference
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.
2020. július 2.
Hungarian ambassador receives one year suspended sentence for possession of child pornography
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.
2020. június 25.
Fearing for its autonomy, university holds protest against privatization plan
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.
2020. június 22.
Index is in danger: independence of Hungary's largest news outlet is under threat
Editorial staff are protesting after a shake-up intitiated by figures tied to the ruling party appears to threaten the independence of Index.hu.
2020. június 18.
EU court rules against Hungary's NGO law
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.
2020. június 16.
When the Prime Minister Said, "They Really Love Interest", Everyone In Hungary Knew Who He Meant
The evolution of overt and covert anti-Semitism under the government of Viktor Orbán.
2020. június 11.
European Commissioner: national consultation question "fake news"
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.
2020. június 4.
"Soros plan" makes another appearance in a National Consultation
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.
2020. május 28.
New bill would "allow rule by decree indefinitely" after end of state of emergency, NGOs say
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.
2020. május 22.
Asylum seekers released from transit zones after ruling by European court
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.
2020. május 14.
Second person in 24 hours arrested for "fearmongering" after sharing a Facebook post
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.
2020. május 12.
He criticized the government on Facebook, and was taken from his home by police at dawn
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.
2020. május 7.
Freedom House: Hungary downgraded from democracy to "hybrid regime"
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.
2020. április 30.
Budapest spars with central government over transparency, protective equipment
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.
2020. április 23.
Orbán predicts pandemic will peak by May 3 as thousands of hospital beds remain empty
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.
2020. április 16.
Thousands of patients relocated or sent home following government order to vacate hospital beds
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.
2020. április 10.
Economic minister predicts recession as government announces stimulus plan
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.
2020. április 7.
In His Element: How Orbán Regained Control of the Crisis
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.
2020. április 3.
The Politics of Crisis: emergency powers law ignites international firestorm
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.
2020. március 26.
Rule by decree: emergency bill could grant government extraordinary powers
The law, which is expected to pass on Tuesday, would subvert parliamentary democracy and could have serious consequences for independent media.
2020. március 19.
"The pandemic has entered its second phase" - Gov't implements economic relief measures, military task force as coronavirus spreads
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.
2020. március 16.
Hungary seals its borders and instructs bars, restaurants to close their doors
Only pharmacies and grocery stores may keep normal opening hours as Hungary takes further steps to limit the spread of coronavirus.
2020. március 12.
State of Emergency declared as coronavirus cases reach 16
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.
2020. március 5.
Two students test positive for coronavirus in Hungary's first cases
State media censors stories on Greta Thunberg, stricter rules come to the Party District, and more important stories from this week.
2020. február 27.
"We want peace" - Roma demonstrators lead protest for judicial independence
The coronavirus spreads, police investigate a TikTok video, Budapest takes over financing of four theatres, and other stories from this week.
2020. február 26.
Dunaújváros and the future of opposition unity
Total unity in Dunaújváros brought the opposition its first ever victory in a national election, and could light the path toward defeating Fidesz in 2022.
2020. február 20.
Orbán: There are no liberals, only communists with university degrees
Right-wing extremists march in Borsod county, the opposition wins a key by-election, Trump and Orbán have a chat, and other stories from this week.
2020. február 13.
Orbán announces National Consultation on restitution for prisoners, segregated Roma
The last National Consultations were in 2018 on "Family Protection" and in 2017 on the "Soros Plan".
2020. február 10.
"We need to replace them" - How a burgeoning grassroots culture changed the rules in the 8th District
A diverse movement of left-wing organizers in Budapest is working on two fronts to make social - and political - change.
2020. február 6.
Fidesz supporters hold "anti-racist" protest in Budapest
Around 2,000 people gathered in the 7th District to oppose anti-white racism and anti-Christian bigotry.
2020. január 30.
Court says pro-government media merger was unlawfully approved
The competition authority did not investigate media mega-conglomerate KESMA after Prime Minister Orbán declared it to be "of national strategic importance"
2020. január 23.
Hungarian Bar Association: government is damaging confidence in the rule of law
Hungary's top defense lawyer called for the government to pay court-ordered compensation to prisoners and to Roma victims of school segregation.
2020. január 21.
Opposition faces uphill battle in maintaining coalition through 2022
After the opposition showed unity could result in election wins, Fidesz faces a tough choice: compromise or domination.
2020. január 16.
EP Votes to Step Up Article 7 Proceedings Against Hungary
The EPP's support for the resolution deepened the fault lines between the group and Fidesz, making it even more likely that Hungary's ruling party will leave EPP and seek other allies in the European Parliament.
2020. január 9.
Orbán says Fidesz must "take a new direction" if EPP is unable to change
In the independent media's only chance of the year to pose questions to the prime minister, Orbán said it was unfair that Roma children that faced school segregation received monetary damages. The first 2020 edition of the weekly English-language newsletter from Insight Hungary.