Fidesz

Fidesz delays vote on controversial law targeting NGOs and the media

The proposed legislation sparked mass protests in Hungary, and public figures who don't typically speak out on politics made vocal statements criticizing the bill.

Hungarian news outlets take a joint stand for press freedom

“The aim is clearly to intimidate and silence.”

Far-right politician to receive statue in Hungary

A think tank close to the Orban administration called XXI Century Institute, held a commemorative conference to mark the 90th anniversary of Csurka's birth.

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.

Budapest mayor calls for new election after recount decision

Karácsony also announced plans for a public demonstration on Friday evening.

Former Orlen CEO hiding in Budapest luxury apartment

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

Orban calls Hungary a conservative island in an ocean of liberals

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

Viktor Orban slips down on Politico's power player list

Viktor Orbán, has slipped down a notch in the rankings of European influencers-- despite his persistent anti-Brussels campaigns this year.

Fidesz to submit 'sovereignty' bill targeting 'foreign influence'

A Fidesz lawmaker earlier suggested that the new bill could potentially impact "journalists, civil organizations, and political parties."

Orban government attempts to ban under-18s from World Press Photo Exhibition over 'LGBTQ images'

Dóra Dúró, deputy president of the far-right Our Homeland party, had previously urged the government to investigate whether the exhibition violated Hungary's controversial child protection law.

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".

Orban lists Joe Biden and George Soros among his opponents

The Hungarian Prime Minister listed the US President, Geore Soros and Brussels bureaucrats as his opponents during a meeting of the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition.

‘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.

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.

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.

Government plans repeal of lex-CEU and NGO law after European court rulings

CEU says it's still not coming back to Budapest from Vienna, and NGOs are worried a new draft bill would be used to stigmatize and harass them. 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.

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.

Member of Hungarian punk band beaten, songs censored after performance at government-financed concert

Government-critical songs were cut from the final video of a performance by Hétköznapi Csalódások, and a guest member, who appeared in the video as an evil clown, was later beaten by unknown assailants.

Conservative backlash against women’s rights in Hungary

Over the past decade a growing narrative has gained traction in Hungary, calling on women to embrace their fate as homemakers and caretakers as Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the self-appointed defender of Europe’s Christian values has steered the country towards a conservative, in his words “illiberal democracy.”

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.

Former military colonel shuts down internet at arts university campus amid ongoing student occupation

Government-appointed leadership is taking increasingly aggressive measures to bring an end to the occupation and strike at the university. Also: Fidesz retains its two-thirds majority with by-election, coronavirus deaths surpass 1,000, and a Budapest district prohibits construction of permanent housing for the homeless.

Orbán turns attention from pandemic defense to the "great battle" of 2022 elections

Fears of an economic downturn and its electoral consequences are driving the Hungarian government's Covid policy as scientists go unheard.

Hungary's second coronavirus wave breaks spring records

Active coronavirus cases are nearly triple the highest total from the first wave in spring as the disease spreads throughout the country. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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"

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.

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.

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.