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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
This week, a 35-year-old man who was sexually abused by his priest as a teenager became the first in Hungary to publicly tell his story, shining light on decades of secrecy and denial within the Catholic Church.
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.
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'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
Katalin Novák said women should be glad that they are able to give life and care for others. Also this week: Hungary's parliament passes constitutional amendment banning gay adoption, and the European People's Party declines to expel MEP Tamás Deutsch.
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.”
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.
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.
The Belgian press reports that Szájer attempted to escape the party through a window but was detained by police. He has admitted he attended the party, but did not acknowledge reports that it was a sex orgy.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Foreign Minister Szijjártó demanded Biden respond to corruption allegations involving his son's business dealings in Ukraine. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
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.
Five days after the man's death, the Chief Medical Officer said she would request his medical report from the hospital. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Fears of an economic downturn and its electoral consequences are driving the Hungarian government's Covid policy as scientists go unheard.
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.
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.
The ministry said that journalists attending training courses abroad was part of a political attack by George Soros. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
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.
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 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.
Requests by public employee trade unions to be allowed to work from home were denied, and now they are planning a three-day strike in September. This and other stories in this week's InsightHungary newsletter.
Hungary's LGBTQ festival has weathered two and a half decades of struggle for tolerance and equal rights. A history of its victories and setbacks.
The foreign minister posted pictures of himself to social media, working in his office on a diplomatic response to the crisis in Belarus. He was actually vacationing in the Adriatic on a luxury yacht owned by a government-tied billionaire. This week's InsightHungary newsletter.
The six largest opposition parties announced they will author a common platform and run joint candidates in all electoral districts in a bid to unseat Fidesz.
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.
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.
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.
The firing of Szabolcs Dull came after weeks of shakeups at Hungary's largest news outlet which led staff to believe the site's independence was under attack.
The Hungarian government says it will only approve the desperately needed measures if rule of law conditions are removed and Article 7 proceedings closed.
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.
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.
19,000 pornographic images of minors were found by an international investigation on computers owned by the former ambassador to Peru. This and other stories from the week.
Students, teachers and sympathizers opposed plans to bring the University of Theatre and Film Arts under the control of a foundation led by government appointees. This and more stories from the week.
Editorial staff are protesting after a shake-up intitiated by figures tied to the ruling party appears to threaten the independence of Index.hu.