vaccine

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

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 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.

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.

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'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.

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.

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.