Orban

Students protest across Budapest to support teachers' strike

Thousands of students formed miles-long human chains on Wednesday and Thursday in support of their teachers fighting for higher wages and better working conditions.

State Secretary of Hungarian Foreign Ministry: "One China"

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

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

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

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”.

EC launches conditionality mechanism against government, MNB raises base rate again, government extends price caps, Warsaw launches Hungarian-language campaign to stop Russia

This is the first time that this mechanism has been launched in the history of the EU.

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.

Rubles for gas, a shift in MTVA (?), job seeking refugees, pro-Putin demo

The payment in rubles for Russian gas is not a violation of EU sanctions, government spokesman Zoltán Kovács said on Saturday.

Opposition votes die by fire, V4 in recess, Russian hackers in the MFA, polls favor Orbán

A reader of Atlatszo.ro, the Romanian edition of Átlátszó, found some 30 filled out ballots in Transylvania, near Jeddar, which were undoubtedly cast for opposition parties.

Curia rules against government in LGBTQ case, new facility for refugees, a credit-line yet too far, and OSCE not happy

Last year, a bookshop chain has been fined 250,000 forints for selling an LGBTQ book, a children’s story depicting a day in the life of a child with same-sex parents.

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.

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.

April 3 is D day, COVID-related deaths exceed 40,000 and Hungarian govt backs Kazakh regime

Hungarian President Janos Ader called the general elections and also set the date for the homophobic “Child protection” referendum for April 3 in an official statement published on Tuesday.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

Orbán criticizes "semi-Marxist" West in "Europe Uncensored" video conference

Orbán joined the leaders of Slovenia and Serbia and emphasized an East-West divide in Europe. Also, external advisor recommends removal of Index editor-in-chief, and other important stories from this week.

When the Prime Minister Said, "They Really Love Interest", Everyone In Hungary Knew Who He Meant

The evolution of overt and covert anti-Semitism under the government of Viktor Orbán.

"Soros plan" makes another appearance in a National Consultation

A new round of National Consultations, uniformed guards in Hungarian schools, a Fradi midfielder reprimanded for a show of solidarity with George Floyd, and the "Slave Law 2.0" in this week's Insight Hungary newsletter.

Budapest spars with central government over transparency, protective equipment

Budapest has created its own emergency task force, and claims the government refuses to coordinate pandemic response and has not provided adequate tests or protective equipment. This and other important stories from this week.

Orbán predicts pandemic will peak by May 3 as thousands of hospital beds remain empty

Government officials expect new coronavirus cases to flatten out within two weeks, raising questions about the need for radical steps to vacate hospital beds. This and more important stories from this week.

Economic minister predicts recession as government announces stimulus plan

A new coronavirus defense fund will strip parties and municipalities of funding, and a stimulus package will leave self-employed and unemployed people without relief.

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.

Hungary seals its borders and instructs bars, restaurants to close their doors

Only pharmacies and grocery stores may keep normal opening hours as Hungary takes further steps to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Orbán announces National Consultation on restitution for prisoners, segregated Roma

The last National Consultations were in 2018 on "Family Protection" and in 2017 on the "Soros Plan".

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"

Hungarian Bar Association: government is damaging confidence in the rule of law

Hungary's top defense lawyer called for the government to pay court-ordered compensation to prisoners and to Roma victims of school segregation.

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.