politics

EU chief recommends cutting billions of funds for Hungary

For the past decade, Orbán's right-wing government has faced criticism from civil rights organizations for undermining democratic standards.

Helsinki Committee: Chief judge unlawfully appointed several judges

Documents obtained by the Helsinki Committee show that András Zs. Varga proceeded unlawfully on several judicial applications.

New report on Chinese influence in Hungary raises concerns

The Hungarian government behaved like "a Trojan horse in the Western alliance system," a new report by the Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) claims.

Hungary's media regulator probes Netflix over same-sex kiss in a cartoon

An episode of a kids series is potentially violating Hungary’s 'child protection' law.

State Secretary of Hungarian Foreign Ministry: "One China"

The state secretary implied that Hungary does not recognize two, but only 'one China'.

CPAC embraces Viktor Orban despite his previous remarks on 'mixed-race' society

The Hungarian Prime Minister received a standing ovation from the Republican audience.

Orban causes outrage for opposing 'mixed race' society in Hungary

Later in Vienna, Orban said he can sometimes express himself 'in an ambiguous way.'

Szijjarto meets Lavrov in Moscow to discuss new gas deals despite EU sanctions

During the talks, Lavrov told Szijjarto that 'Washington's Russophobic policies are damaging' to Hungarian-Russian relations. 

New tax law sparks protests in Budapest

Viktor Orban’s popularity has weakened over the past month due to the record weakening of currency and the highest inflation in the past two decades.

‘Threats to democracy in Hungary are real’, says nominee for ambassador to Hungary

David Pressman expressed concerns over press freedom, human rights, and the rule of law in Hungary.

Hungarian Prime Minister’s salary doubles amid sky-high inflation

The Prime Minister’s salary is now ten times the Hungarian average and more than twenty times the minimum wage in the country

Katalin Novak awards Jordan B. Peterson with Order of Merit

The Canadian psychologist and writer gave a lecture at the office of Katalin Novak this week. The President later praised the conservative figure on her Facebook.

ECHR: Hungary's treatment of asylum seeker was 'inhuman'

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Hungarian authorities’ use of a handcuff and a leash on an Iraqi asylum seeker was ‘inhuman and degrading.'

EU Russian oil ban held up because Hungary objected to sanctioning Patriarch Kirill

After long negotiations, the European Union finalized its decision to ban purchases of Russian oil.

Orban declares state of emergency

The Hungarian PM said that the war next door poses a constant threat to Hungary and it is putting the Hungarian people’s “physical security at risk”, and “threatens the energy and financial security of the economy and families.”

Orbán embraces 'great replacement theory’ in his inaugural speech

On Monday, the Hungarian PM said he sees a suicidal attempt across Western Europe, including the “gender madness” and the “great European population exchange”.

Fidesz voters would prefer even stronger ties with Russia

Political preference among Hungarians has a considerable impact on the perception of Russia and Ukraine – Median Institute's latest polls show. The survey conducted on a sample of 1,000 Hungarian citizens, was commissioned by 444.

Klitschko confronts Orbán, Hungarian GDP slows down, new parliament holds first session in May, Freedom House slams Hungarian democracy

According to former world boxing champion, Volodymyr Klitschko, “Hungary’s loyalty towards Russia can still be felt’, he said in an interview given to local online journal Válasz Online.

Rallies on March 15, Orbán misses train to Kyiv, fuel shortage and a stealthy drone flies over Hungary

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his challenger Péter Márki-Zay both showed confidence as they rallied supporters less than three weeks before the general elections.

NATO troops in Hungary, opposition protests against public media, madame President and 400 HUF/EUR

Hungary’s government issued a decree on Monday allowing NATO troops to be deployed in western Hungary and weapons shipments to cross its territory by land or by air to other NATO member states.

Government condemns Russia, opposition turns to OSCE over false media coverage, Hungarians welcome refugees, Hungary supports Ukraine's EU accession

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned Russia’s war waged against Ukraine, in a video posted on his Facebook page last Thursday.

ECJ rules against gvt, Orbán and MZP address the nation and Liu Shaoang gets gold

Hungary slammed the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and accused the top court of political bias and abuse of power following the ECJ’s decision on tying the disbursement of European funds to the rule of law.

OSCE sends full mission, immunity certificates extended, Budapest to host Swimming World championships, Skating federation wants investigation following Liu's disqualification

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has decided to send a full scale observation mission to Hungary for the April 3 general elections.

Viktor Orban meets Vladimir Putin, teachers go on strike and Pegasus used lawfully (?)

Viktor Orbán meets Vladimir Putin in Moscow amid mounting tensions between Russian and the EU/NATO. Teachers stage a warning strike and Pegasus spyware used lawfully according to data protection watchdog

Signatures collected for referendum, Csollány dies at 51, House of music inaugurated and Hungary gets bad mark for corruption

Opposition collects signatures for referendum, Olympic champ Szilveszter Csollány dies at 51 from Covid, controversial House of Music inaugurated, and Transparency International slams Hungary as second most corrupted EU member state.

Hungary allows 4th jab, Orbán caps food prices, Völner sinks deeper, and Lakmusz is launched

The Hungarian government allowed the 4th vaccine against the Covid-19, in a bid to curb the fifth wave of the pandemic, Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s office declared in a press conference.

Opposition activist found dead, Omicron gains ground, Viktor Orban to meet Vladimir Putin and a plea for money

Gergely Homonnay , a Hungarian writer and political activist close to opposition party DK, was found dead in Rome.

Völner resigns, Far-right EP group fails to launch, and green light to vaccine mandate

Völner resigns, Far-right EP group fails to launch, János Kóbor dies and green light to vaccine mandate

Complaint against Kövér, EP delegation disappointed, inbound flights banned from South Africa and Karácsony pulls back veto

Opposition files complaint against Kövér, EP delegation disappointed, gvt bans flights from Africa, Karácsony pulls back veto

Masks on again, new president for Momentum, pressure mounts between Brussels and Budapest, UN says press freedom under threat

Covid-19: masks are on again, Donáth leads Momentum, pressure mounts between Brussels and Budapest, UN critical on press freedom

Orbán re-elected as Fidesz leader, fuel prices capped at HUF 480, government closer to buying Budapest Airport, opposition warns of election fraud

Orbán re-elected as Fidesz leader, fuel prices capped at HUF 480, government closer to buying Budapest Airport, opposition warns of possible election fraud

New restrictions, a plea for money, and a presidential visit

New restrictions to curb 4th wave, joke party says no to cooperation, Orbán asks for money from EU and a presidential visit from South Korea

Massive demonstrations in Budapest, a NO from the Curia, a record fine from competition watchdog, and a 6-year sentence for a bus driver

Massive demonstrations in Budapest on Oct. 23, Curia says no to referendum question, a record fine from competition watchdog, and a 6-year sentence for a bus driver responsible for Verona accident

Márki-Zay wins primaries, Hungary receives emergency epidemic loan from Asia, head of media watchdog resigns

Péter Márki-Zay wins opposition primaries, Hungary receives an emergency epidemic loan from Asia Investment Bank, controversial resignation of Media watchdog.

Tensions spark between Dobrev and Márki-Zay, Hungarian government tackles the EU twice, and president of Momentum steps down

Battle between Dobrev and Márki-Zay intensifie, Hungarian government at odds with EU over Poland and LGBTQ, President of Momentum Fekete-Győr steps down

Karácsony and Márki-Zay fail to agree, LIBE concerned with rule of law in Hungary, FreeSZFE students graduate and Paks2 is denied a permit

Karácsony and Márki-Zay fail to agree before 2nd turn of primaries, LIBE still much concerned with rule of law in Hungary, FreeSZFE students receive their diplomas and Paks2 is denied an important permit from nuclear watchdog

Dobrev wins opposition primaries, extra money to pensioners, Mészáros wins big, and extremists arrested

Dobrev, Karácsony and Márki-Zay proceed to 2dn round of opposition primaries, Orbán pays extra money to the retired, Mészáros wins really big, and far-right extremists arrested

Primaries reloaded, turbulent start of Parliament, homophobic complaints and covid infections on the rise

Opposition primaries reloaded, a turbulent start of Parliament's autumn session, an increase in homophobic complaints and in daily covid-19 infections.

A friendly debate, a state of emergency extended, a Pope and a Prime Minister

Hungarian voters saw their first prime ministerial debate since 2006, the government moved to extend the epidemic state of emergency until 2022, Budapest welcomed Pope Francis, and Orbán braces for 2022 general elections.

Opposition primaries, a picnic in Kötcse, racism in the stadium and extended casino concession

Opposition primaries have started, Orban outlines his strategies for Fidesz elite in Kötcse, racism during the Hungary-England football match and a 35 year extension of the capital's casino concession.

A go for a referendum, a no for Athletics, a trip to Rome and increasing numbers of complaints

Budapest Mayor grows bolder as his referendum questions get a partial approval from election officials and threatens to veto the 2023 Athletics World Championships, to be hosted by Budapest. Orban's family trip from Croatia to Rome rises concern amid independent media, and the recently adopted homophobic law fuels a series of new complaints.

HUXIT, evacuation from Kabul, exodus from SZFE and double-digit increase of the GDP

The issue of Hungary leaving the EU resurfaced, while the government managed the evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan amid confused communication. Old students of the SZFE left the institution for good, and GDP figures indicate a rapid recovery of the local economy.

Orbán's big Fox interview, great Olympic performance, and a 3rd jab against covid

Hungarian Prime Minister Orban was the star of Tucker Carlson's reportage from Hungary for Fox News, while Hungary welcomed back it Olympic athletes as heroes, proud of their excellent performance. The administration of the 3rd jab against covid has started, and authorities do not count Facebook ads as political advertising, even in times of election campaign.

Hungary loses Norway Grant, and braces for referendum on homophobic law

Hungary lost HUF 77 billion, as it failed to reach an agreement with Oslo on the Norway Grant. Earlier, healthcare workers demonstrated for better wages and conditions, while F1 champions raised their concern over the recent adoption of the homophobic law.

Protesters call for government to resign over Pegasus spyware scandal

Around 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Budapest against the alleged use of powerful spyware to monitor the phones of journalists and politicians. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

European Commission launches legal actions against Hungary over LGBTQ policies

Hungary has "restricted the freedom of expression of authors and book publishers, and discriminates on grounds of sexual orientation in an unjustified way," the commission said. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Orbán becomes first EU leader to be placed on "free media predators" list

Orbán joined leaders like Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines on the list of 37 heads of state or government that "crack down massively on press freedom." This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

European leaders call for sanctions against Hungary over anti-LGBT law

Germany's interior minister Horst Seehofer suggested that cutting Hungary's access to EU funds could be a suitable response to the law which prohibits the display to minors of content depicting homosexuality or gender reassignment. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Orbán skips Hungary's Euro match to meet with far-right Italian politician

Reports in German media emerged Wednesday morning that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán would not travel to Munich as planned to view the Euro 2020 match between Hungary and Germany, where he likely would have received a cold welcome over his government's passage of a law seen as limiting the rights of LGBT people.

Hungary joins European Union in condemning Belarus for forced grounding of airliner

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said he was "pleased that the European Union has finally acted swiftly, decisively, and with sufficient vigor and unity." This week's InsightHungary newsletter.