coronavirus
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 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.
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.
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.