politics

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.

Hungary blocks EU statement urging Israel-Palestine ceasefire

Hungary was the only of the EU's 27 member nations not to back the statement. Foreign Minister Szijjártó said such statements are "one-sided." This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

New bill could wipe out Hungary's social housing stock

Wealthy insiders could purchase valuable properties for 10 percent of their market value, while social housing for the poor would be dramatically reduced. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Orbán: government will appoint people with "national worldview" to lead Hungarian universities

"I cannot in good conscience recommend anyone to such a board of trustees who is an internationalist, globalist person," Orbán said. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Hungary will not expel Russian diplomats over Czech explosion, alone in the V4

Poland, Slovakia and Czechia have all expelled Russian diplomats in response to an explosion at a Czech munitions depot blamed on a Russian military intelligence unit. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Budapest battles with government over construction of Chinese university

Mayor Gergely Karácsony says that if the planned development of a "Student City" in southern Budapest is affected by the construction of Fudan University, he will revoke the city's status as host of the 2023 World Athletic Championships. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Hungarian state television attacks Austrian journalist for asking "provocative questions"

Austria's foreign minister contacted his Hungarian counterpart over the three and a half minute television report. But Péter Szijjártó said the journalist's questions were "fake news." This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Prominent politicians stoke resentment of educators in announcing their prioritization for vaccination

The government announced teachers will be vaccinated ahead of a planned April 19 school reopening. But Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his chief of staff didn't leave it at that. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

KDNP committee chair accuses independent MP of working on behalf of "clandestine power"

An independent MP sought to extend a moratorium on evictions during the pandemic, but the Christian Democrat saw secret motives at work. Also in this week's InsightHungary newsletter: József Szájer's arrest captured on film by Belgian TV crew, Fidesz leaves the EPP, and Hungary approves two more vaccines.

EU "vaccine passport" could put some Hungarians at a disadvantage

The plan for an EU-wide immunity document would allow for member states to decide whether to recognize vaccines not approved by the bloc's medicines regulator, raising questions over whether Hungarians inoculated with Russian and Chinese vaccines might miss out on travel privileges. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Surge in Covid-19 cases forces Hungary's doctors to select who to admit to intensive wards

More young people are being admitted to intensive care with severe Covid-19 cases, and some doctors say they must consider a patient's chances of survival in determining whether to give them a place in overcrowded critical wards. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Orbán aims to build new, anti-immigration right wing after Fidesz pulls out of EPP

"We must build a European democratic right that offers a home to European citizens who do not want migrants, who do not want multiculturalism, who have not descended into LGBTQ lunacy," Orbán wrote after his party left the conservative group in the European Parliament. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

National Security Committee chairman reveals plans for secret underground tunnel

The politician, János Stummer, leaked plans for construction of a 50-meter tunnel beneath Puskás Ferenc Stadium. He said it was for the Prime Minister, but the stadium says it's for international guests. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Hungary polls citizens on lifting pandemic restrictions

The government looks set to begin easing pandemic restrictions, and is asking Hungarians to weigh in. An immunity certificate could provide certain people with additional freedoms. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Liberal broadcaster Klubrádió to go off the air after court ruling

Hungary's Media Council argued it was legally bound to deny an extension of Klubrádió's broadcast license. But the station says it is the victim of political discrimination. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Government ministers make major property purchases amid economic crisis

The land and real estate deals came to light as Hungary's hospitality sector began demanding assistance from the government. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Hungary the only country not to sign EU statement condemning violence against Russian protesters

Twenty-six EU nations called for the release of detained protesters and an end to the violence. Hungary was not one of them. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Hungary's government orders LGBT publisher to place disclaimer on children's books

In its latest attack on LGBT rights, the government required the publisher to alert consumers if a book contains characters that "display patterns of behavior that differ from traditional gender roles." This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Hungary's pro-government media spins alternative reality in reactions to storming of US Capitol

"Biden's presidency," antifa, Black Lives Matter and internal conspiracy are among the culprits identified by Hungary's right-wing media. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Vaccinations in Hungary proceed slowly amid confusion over rollout plan

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in November that a vaccination plan was complete, but a lack of transparency around the rollout and other signs indicate Hungary may not be ready for mass vaccinations. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Hungary's minister for families tells women not to expect the same salaries as men

Katalin Novák said women should be glad that they are able to give life and care for others. Also this week: Hungary's parliament passes constitutional amendment banning gay adoption, and the European People's Party declines to expel MEP Tamás Deutsch.

Orbán predicts "victory of common sense" ahead of EU summit amid hopes of solution to budget impasse

Hungarian officials are celebrating a compromise plan meant to bring an end to the EU budget stalemate, even as rule of law conditionality which they opposed remains on the books. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Szájer resigns from Fidesz amid sex party scandal, Orbán calls his actions "unacceptable, indefensible"

His resignation brings an end to a 30 year career in the party he co-founded, which has vigorously sought to curb the rights of LGBTQ people in Hungary. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Fidesz MEP József Szájer admits to participating in Brussels party raided by police

The Belgian press reports that Szájer attempted to escape the party through a window but was detained by police. He has admitted he attended the party, but did not acknowledge reports that it was a sex orgy.

Hungary joins Poland in vetoing €1.8 trillion EU budget and coronavirus relief package

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.

Constitutional amendments and gay adoption ban proposed as lockdown hits Hungary

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 predicts Hungary's hospitals will exceed capacity by mid-December, imposes new pandemic restrictions

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.

Diplomatic tensions rise after Ukraine bans Hungarian officials over alleged election interference

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.