viktor orban

Trump administration expresses 'serious concerns' over corruption in Hungary in trade report

The report mentions Hungary’s public procurement process as one of the most serious concerns, an “extremely high risk of corruption.”

Orban flies to Dubai conference with Tucker Carlson

"International conference with an American icon: go Tucker Carlson!" - Viktor Orbán wrote on his social media with a photo showing him boarding a plane.

Orban calls USAID a "dark conspiracy"

The Hungarian PM believes "the world owes a debt of gratitude" to Trump for "putting an end" to the US' main overseas aid agency.

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.

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."

US contacted the Hungarian government about the Russian hacker attack, US envoy says

Pressman says this incident shows the threat that Russia poses to our allies.

Internal documents prove Russian hackers infiltrated the Foreign Ministry

An internal report, obtained by 444 shows the extent of Russian hacking operations targeting Hungary's Foreign Ministry.

Xi Jinping and Orban agree on strategic partnership

The Hungarian Prime Minister said that Hungary supports all initiatives to end the Russian-Ukrainian war, including the Chinese "peace plan".

Orban proposes constitutional amendment after presidential pardon controversy

Orban's statement comes after pressure is intensifying on Hungary's head of state, Katalin Novák, to step down following revelations that she granted a presidential pardon to an individual convicted as an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case.

Hungarian journalists and activists were targeted by spy firm, Linkedin says

Black Cube, a private intelligence firm, orchestrated a video campaign using LinkedIn to target Hungarian activists and journalists in the lead-up to last year's election.

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.

CPAC embraces Viktor Orban despite his previous remarks on 'mixed-race' society

The Hungarian Prime Minister received a standing ovation from the Republican audience.

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.

Hungary's government won't confirm or deny using Pegasus spyware on journalists

Officials insist all covert surveillance in Hungary is conducted in accordance with the law, but will not commit to an investigation of the Pegasus scandal. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Orbán becomes first EU leader to be placed on "free media predators" list

Orbán joined leaders like Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines on the list of 37 heads of state or government that "crack down massively on press freedom." This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

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.

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.

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.

Surge in Covid-19 cases forces Hungary's doctors to select who to admit to intensive wards

More young people are being admitted to intensive care with severe Covid-19 cases, and some doctors say they must consider a patient's chances of survival in determining whether to give them a place in overcrowded critical wards. 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.

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 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.

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.

Orbán predicts "victory of common sense" ahead of EU summit amid hopes of solution to budget impasse

Hungarian officials are celebrating a compromise plan meant to bring an end to the EU budget stalemate, even as rule of law conditionality which they opposed remains on the books. 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.

Orbán and Morawiecki vow to maintain veto after Budapest talks on stalled EU budget

The two leaders said they wouldn't accept a rule of law mechanism contained in the €1.8 billion EU budget and pandemic recovery package, further holding up the badly needed funds as European economies shrink. 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.

Constitutional amendments and gay adoption ban proposed as lockdown hits Hungary

A host of late-night draft bills would change Hungary's election law, cement access of Fidesz-tied foundations to public funds, and further marginalize the LGBTQ community.

Orbán announces curfew, school and business closures following record-breaking pandemic week

Orbán announced a curfew of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Tuesday at midnight as deaths and hospitalizations continue to rise to record levels.

Orbán predicts Hungary's hospitals will exceed capacity by mid-December, imposes new pandemic restrictions

A midnight curfew, the closing of discos, and reduction of capacities at events and theatres are among the only measures taken by the government during the second wave, but still lag far behind steps taken by other European countries. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Diplomatic tensions rise after Ukraine bans Hungarian officials over alleged election interference

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says the Hungarian government interfered in Ukraine's internal affairs when officials campaigned in a local election in Transcarpathia. FM Szijjártó called the accusation "pathetic nonsense". This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Hungary's Foreign Minister attacks Joe Biden, accusing him of corruption

Foreign Minister Szijjártó demanded Biden respond to corruption allegations involving his son's business dealings in Ukraine. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

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.

Military colonel appointed chancellor of Budapest's University of Theatre and Film Arts

The mechanized infantry officer was chosen by a government-appointed board of directors, which students and faculty have rejected as the occupation of the university enters its second month. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

No Facts, Only Interpretations: Modern Disinformation with Dr. Péter Krekó

Imported and homespun modern disinformation campaigns - designed to confuse and disorient audiences - have led to polarization, political tribalism and shifting geopolitical dynamics. An interview with political scientist and disinformation expert Dr. Péter Krekó.

Foreign Ministry sought information on journalists' foreign trips

The ministry said that journalists attending training courses abroad was part of a political attack by George Soros. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.

Orbán: no broad restrictions planned, "the country must function"

The Prime Minister said Hungarians don't want the country to shut down as it did during the coronavirus' first wave. Also this week: EU countries impose restrictions on travelers from Hungary, US Ambassador David Cornstein resigns, and Foreign Minister Szijjártó says Trump deserves the Nobel Prize.

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.

Students occupy top arts university after leadership resigns over autonomy fears

Students and leadership at SzFE argue a new board of directors stacked with government appointees threatens to place the university under political control. Also this week: V4 citizens permitted to travel to Hungary, media organizations call on the EU to act on Hungary undermining media freedom, and public workers stage a three-day strike.

Hungarian government silent on Belarus election and violent repression of protesters

At a meeting in Minsk in June, Alexander Lukashenko told Viktor Orbán than Hungary "understands us more than any other" country in the EU. Plus: Hungary buys $1 billion US missile defense system, Mike Pompeo skips visit to Budapest, and other stories from this week.

Resignations begin at Index after firing of editor-in-chief, protest for press freedom planned

Several journalists have resigned so far after their demands for the reinstatement of Szabolcs Dull were rejected. Also, Viktor Orbán claims victory over EU budget negotiations, and other stories from this week.

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.

Index and Independence: How Hungary's Leading Outlet Became the Target of Political Control

The complex story of Index.hu and its struggle to resist outside interference is emblematic of a decade of attacks on Hungary's pluralistic media ecosystem.

Asylum seekers released from transit zones after ruling by European court

Some 280 asylum seekers were taken from the southern border to reception centers after the European Court of Justice ruled their detention was illegal. This and other important stories from this week.

Second person in 24 hours arrested for "fearmongering" after sharing a Facebook post

The man's phone and laptop were confiscated after he shared a post by a member of Parliament. Also this week, new Special Economic Zones could come to Hungary, and the EP debates the emergency powers law.

Orbán: There are no liberals, only communists with university degrees

Right-wing extremists march in Borsod county, the opposition wins a key by-election, Trump and Orbán have a chat, and other stories from this week.