The Hungarian government decided to set up an anti-corruption authority that will work together with non-government organizations to oversee the spending of European Union funds. The move comes as Budapest seeks to unlock billions of euros in EU development funds that Brussels suspended on claims of state-level corruption and a decline in the rule of […]
The Hungarian government is hoping to reach a deal with the European Commission to unblock billions of euros in EU funds by the end of August. The Cabinet of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is seeking to diffuse a long-standing conflict between Budapest and Brussels over democratic standards, rule of law and corruption. Following years of […]
Hungary’s finance minister vetoed an EU directive on a global minimum corporate tax, leaving the outgoing French EU Presidency without its crown achievement. The move is seen as yet another front in Hungary’s standoff with the bloc. Hungarian Finance Minister Mihály Varga blocked a European Union initiative to implement a global minimum corporate tax rate […]
The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in the European Union, is performing a delicate balancing act as Russian begins its invasion of Ukraine. While the government condemned the Russian military action and backed the sanctions proposed by the EU, Orbán made it clear that Hungary will stay out […]
The European Court of Justice delivered a historic ruling this week that ties EU fund payments to the rule of law. The decision allows Brussels to withhold funds from Hungary and Poland, two countries that Brussels has accused of failing to uphold democratic standards. Hungary has long been at loggerheads with the European Union over […]
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said that Hungary’s general elections scheduled for April 3 should be monitored by a full-scale international election observation delegation. The unusual recommendation for a European Union member country comes after political analysts warned of the risk of rigged elections in the country, claims that were strongly refuted […]
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán concluded extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week as tensions simmer between Russia and the West. The Hungarian premier stressed that proposed sanctions against Moscow would be “pointless” and offered that the gap between Russia’s “security demands” and NATO members’ willingness can be bridged. After nearly […]
As the world watches with growing concern the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, a number of countries have come forth supporting Ukraine with material donations or offers of cyber support and training. Hungary’s Foreign Minister called for a diplomatic solution and noted that Ukraine’s minority policies leave little room for Hungary to help its neighbor. […]
Hungary will not change its immigration laws, defying a ruling by the European Union’s top court. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vowed to maintain the country’s existing laws on immigration despite a decision by the EU court that would require changes to these regulations. “We will maintain the existing regime, even if the European court ordered […]
Hungary’s opposition parties, which have joined forces to fight next year’s general election, have elected a small-town mayor to challenge incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the 2022 polls. Péter Márki-Zay is expected to win over swing voters and disillusioned Orbán supporters as the opposition seeks to stop Orbán from winning a fourth term in […]
Hungary’s opposition parties are uniting against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to unseat the long-serving premier in next year’s general elections. The alliance is organizing to rounds of primaries to decide on a joint candidate to be Orbán’s challenger in the 2022 vote. Hungary’s six opposition parties have decided to unite behind joint candidates in an […]
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán put forward USD2 billion in income tax refunds for families as the government gears up its campaign ahead of next year’s general elections. Polls suggest that Orbán’s cabinet faces a competitive race for the first time in a decade in the 2022 vote. Millions of Hungarian parents will receive partial […]
Hungary’s government stressed that it will not permit an unrestricted inflow of migrants from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country. Meanwhile, Hungary is planning an evacuation operation to bring the remaining Hungarians and Afghans, who aided Hungary out of the capital, Kabul. The Hungarian government will not allow Afghan migrants to enter the […]
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced this week that his government will hold a referendum on the country's controversial new LGBTQ law. The move comes after the act received heavy criticism from Brussels, EU member states and rights organizations. Hungarians will have to answer five questions on the bill that would forbid showing gay and […]
Hungary’s relations with the European Union took a turn for the worse after the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán passed a law that was heavily criticized for discriminating against LGBTQ people. EU lawmakers are urging the decision-making bodies in Brussels to punish Hungary by blocking funds from the EU stimulus package. Hungary came under […]
