European Union

Orban promises crackdown on media and civil society, calls them stink bugs

Hungary's far-right prime minister Viktor Orban vowed to crack down on those who are - according to him - funded by foreign actors, likening them to insects.

Orban government targets dual citizens to defend Hungary's 'sovereignty'

The new measures would allow the expulsion of Hungarian citizens who also hold another nationality if their actions endanger “national sovereignty”

US imposes Magnitsky sanctions on Hungary's 'propaganda minister’

“Antal Rogán is a primary architect, implementer, and beneficiary of this system of corruption," US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman said during a news conference.

Fico and Orban are undermining EU unity, Czech minister says

"If any European politician opens towards Russia, they will violate the united approach, which is not in our favor."

Hungarian secret service spies on EU officials

Hungarian agents allegedly searched hotel rooms, tapped phone calls, and monitored the movements of EU officials.

US-Hungarian relations to enter a 'golden age', Orban's foreign minister says

According to Szijjarto, we have to face a completely new reality, which his EU colleagues are "not ready to accept".

EPP to Orban: "Time to go"

"It’s time to bring Hungary back closer to Europe and allow it a chance to recover from the consequences of poor leadership," said the EPP's account on X.

German envoy summoned over remarks on Hungary's relations with NATO and EU

Szijjártó called Julia Gross' speech "unacceptable" and said the ambassador "interfered" in Hungary's internal affairs.

Orbán-linked institutions have deep ties with U.S. anti-immigration groups, new report reveals

Orbán adjacent institutions have formed alliances with U.S. anti-immigrant groups linked to white nationalist John Tanton, according to a report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.

Charles Michel debunks Orbán's claims

Charles Michael responded to Orban's letter, saying: "Without Ukraine, we cannot talk about Ukraine."

Orban to visit Putin in Moscow

Earlier this week, Orbán visited Kyiv, where he urged Zelensky to consider a ceasefire to seek an end to the war with Russia.

444 banned in Russia

444. hu is the only Hungarian news site on the Russian Foreign Ministry's ban list.

Former Orlen CEO hiding in Budapest luxury apartment

Obajtek is currently under investigation in several corruption cases in Poland.

Orbán : There aren't enough white Christians in Europe

Momentum politician Anna Donath criticized Orban's comments for their racist tone on Facebook, calling them "hateful sentences, hateful thinking, hateful rants."

Orban calls Hungary a conservative island in an ocean of liberals

Orbán called for a united front among conservatives in the US and Europe

Orbans calls for his supporters to 'occupy Brussels'

In a speech commemorating Hungary's March 15 national holiday, Orbán proclaimed his readiness to march on Brussels and the European Union.

Orbán's son goes on secret mission in Africa

Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky recently acknowledged Orbán's involvement in the Chad mission.

Hungary is the last one to approve Sweden's NATO bid

Hungary's parliamentary speaker said there was "no urgency" in approving Sweden's NATO membership bid.

Orban receives same state honour from Bosnian Serbs as Putin

In commemoration of the Day of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik, the head of the entity, presented honors upon individuals who have left an indelible mark on the republic's life.

Hungary denies extradition request for Russian linked to high-profile murder

Hungary has declined Ukraine's request to extradite a Russian man accused of involvement in the 2017 killing of a member of the volunteer Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion.

Danube water level at its highest since 2013

The unusual water levels resulted from heavy rain and snow, followed by mild weather, leading to premature winter floods.

EU unblocks €10bn in funds for Hungary

The EU had previously frozen billions of euros in funds for Hungary, citing concerns related to human rights and the rule of law.

Yermak suggests meeting between Zelensky and Orbán

Szijjártó and the head of Zelesky's office agreed on the importance of improving relations between Hungary and Ukraine.

Hungary's civil society warns new sovereignty bill is part of the Orban government’s attempt to silence all critical voices

The broad language of the legislation has raised concerns that the office could target journalists, trade unions, churches, and companies.

Orban welcomes Fico's victory amid growing concenrs for Ukraine aid

There are growing concerns that after Fico's victory Slovakia could join Hungary in blocking EU aid to Ukraine.

Fidesz announces new bill targeting journalists, NGOs and politicians

The Global Network for Independent Media expressed concerns over the 'sovereignty safeguard bill', saying "such a law, long feared, could pose a major threat to remaining independent media."

European Parliament condemns Hungarian Foreign Minister over talks with Belarus

Tamás Menczer, the foreign ministry's state secretary commended the EP's statements on Thursday calling the legislative body "pro-war".

Hungary used its veto to protect Belarusian oligarch from EU sanctions

Hungary decided to use its veto in May after 10 EU countries requested Moshensky be included in the sanction list.

US tightens visa waiver after Hungarian passport fraud

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said the US was trying to work with the Hungarian government to give them an opportunity to correct the situation but they refused.

MCC acquires Hungary's largest publishing house

Several authors terminated their contracts with Libri, fearing the Orban government would use the publishing house for their "own ideological and political purposes."

Orban says Ukraine can’t win the war

The Hungarian PM expressed sympathy for Ukraine but argued that sending them further aid will only lead to more deaths.

EU Commissioner: Long way to go for Hungary to receive EU funds

The Austrian politician called the setting up the Integrity Authority a step forward but said the Hungarian government had not yet met the conditions.

Hungary blocks €500 million military aid to Ukraine

Hungary will block European Union military aid for Ukraine unless Hungarian OTP Bank is removed from list of war sponsors.

Hungary's new law enables to report rainbow families to authorities

According to the new law, citizens are allowed to report those who contest the “constitutionally recognized role of marriage and the family” and those who contest children’s rights “to an identity appropriate to their sex at birth.”

Orban's chief of staff: Putin would not be arrested in Hungary

Bloomberg reported that Hungary blocked European Union member states from issuing a joint statement about an ICC arrest warrant against Putin.

Pro-Fidesz commentator: "I am rooting for the Russians"

Andras Bencsik made a clear statement on pro-government Hir TV on where he stands on the war in Ukraine, and said he has never met a person in Hungary who wasn't "rooting for the Russians".

Hungary is the most corrupt country in the EU, study finds

Hungary dropped four places over the past year to 77th, according to the organization's Corruption Perceptions Index replacing Bulgaria.

Szijjarto dismisses reports about Hungary blocking €500 million EU military aid to Ukraine

Szijjarto stated that while the Hungarian government isn’t in favor of the EU sending funding for weapons to Ukraine, it won’t block a planned 500 million euros in military aid.

Son Russian spy chief Naryshkin has a Budapest address

The Budapest property was bought in 2008 by Georgian-Israeli businessman Shabtai Michaeli who is linked to PM Viktor Orbán’s spin doctor, Árpád Habony.

Hungary proposes judicial reforms to unlock EU funds

The Commission will likely make a decision on the funds before the end of the month.

Hungarian government launches "survey" on Brussels’ 'failed sanctions'

Orban's government has launched a national consultation survey on the EU’s sanctions against Russia.

‘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.

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.

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 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.

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.