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Hungary

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hungary. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Budapest

Head of State

President Tamás Sulyok

Head of Government

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

Hungarian chess Olympic winner Judit Polgar at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January. Photo: Getty Images North America / AFP

European Union

Chess champion Judit Polgar rejects offer to become Hungary’s president

PM Peter Magyar had nominated Polgar as a figure from outside politics to help carry out his ‘regime change’ from Orban’s hardline era.

1 hour ago

Electric & new energy vehicles

Hungary probes deal with China’s BYD after ex-foreign minister takes job there

35 minutes agovideocam

China-EU relations

China’s car shipments to EU surge, but could be nearing peak: European analysts

12 Jul 2026 - 3:00PM

Nato

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

10 Jul 2026 - 9:46AM

A revolver given to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, with the president’s name engraved on it, is displayed during a press presentation in Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo: Office of the Lithuanian President via AFP

Crime

Man jailed for killing US tourist in Hungary during ‘intimate encounter’

After his arrest in 2024, the man claimed Michalski’s death had been an accident. But police said he had attempted to cover up his crime.

10 Jul 2026 - 5:36AM

Hong Kong transport

Cathay Pacific ordered to submit report after Hungarian fighter jets intercept plane

City’s flag carrier says London-bound flight temporarily lost communication with local air traffic control, but was never in danger.

9 Jul 2026 - 2:30PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Looking East: Europe’s banks look to Hong Kong amid global uncertainty

European banks, facing rising costs and energy instability, are turning to Hong Kong for funding, with Hungary’s OTP Bank leading the shift.

30 Jun 2026 - 7:29PMvideocam

Hungary’s biggest lender, OTP Bank, has given a vote of confidence to Hong Kong as European banks seek alternative options amid geopolitical tension, rising financing costs and increasingly unstable global energy supplies. Photo: Handout

Extreme weather

Heatwave grips Eastern Europe after Germany weather breaks records

The intense and unusually early heat event underscores how climate change is transforming summers in the world’s fastest-warming continent.

29 Jun 2026 - 8:15PMvideocam

Extreme weather

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected.

24 Jun 2026 - 9:28PMvideocam

Czech Republic

Thousands protest Czech government plan for public broadcaster funding

Critics warn shifting TV and radio funding to the state budget will dismantle media independence.

22 Jun 2026 - 10:19AM

A protest rally in Prague on Sunday in support of public media. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Zelensky proposes meeting Putin in US after Russian leader ‘ignores’ G7 invite

Ukrainian leader said he made the proposal in a call with Trump, suggesting Putin would find the offer of a US meeting ‘harder to refuse’.

16 Jun 2026 - 5:38AM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: EPA

Viktor Orban

Hungarian parliament rules out Orban return with 8-year limit for PMs

Viktor Orban was ousted by PM Peter Magyar in an election in April after 16 years in power. Magyar has promised a ‘regime change’.

16 Jun 2026 - 2:07AM

China-EU relations

Opinion | EU threat of trade war against China is a strategic farce

The EU is mistaken in believing it still has economic leverage. A trade war will not save an economy in decline.

10 Jun 2026 - 5:01PMvideocam

European Union

Hungary MPs back plan to cut their own salaries by 40 per cent

New PM Peter Magyar had pushed for the cuts, saying that ‘besides humanity, it is about self-restraint and humility’.

9 Jun 2026 - 12:30AMvideocam

Hungary’s new Prime Minister Peter Magyar. Photo: AFP

European Union

Ukraine, Hungary agree on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks

The long-running dispute had strained ties between Budapest and Kyiv and complicated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

4 Jun 2026 - 5:02AMvideocam

France

French police arrest 780 after violent Paris Saint-Germain celebrations

Authorities said that planned celebrations for the team’s win on Sunday afternoon at the Champ de Mars, near the Eiffel Tower, would go ahead as scheduled.

31 May 2026 - 9:56PM

China-EU relations

Chinese investment in Europe surges to 7-year high despite rising trade tensions

But study warns that new project pipeline appears to be drying up, as Chinese investors face pressure from both Beijing and Brussels.

20 May 2026 - 5:04PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Chinese companies in Hungary scramble to adjust to post-Orban era

BYD tells builders of Hungarian factory to abide by labour laws as new government adopts stricter approach to foreign investment.

19 May 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

The mayor of Szeged,, Laszlo Botka, visits the BYD factory being built in the Hungarian city on April 21. Photo: Xinhua

Ukraine war

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

The move came on the same day the WHO said Ukraine’s mental health crisis is growing, with ‘work to do until the end of the century’.

15 May 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

European Union

Poland’s ex-minister facing prosecution at home travels from Hungary to US

Former Justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro faces prosecution for alleged abuse of power.

11 May 2026 - 8:45PM

European Union

‘Wonderful’: new Hungarian PM Magyar sworn in ending Orban’s 16-year rule

Magyar’s centre-right party defeated authoritarian Orban last month, which will allow it to roll back many of his policies.

9 May 2026 - 11:56PMvideocam

Hungary’s Peter Magyar is sworn in as the new prime minister at parliament in Budapest on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Viktor Orban

Orban won’t take up Hungary parliament seat after loss, wants to lead renewal

The PM’s defeat was hailed by many as proof that the wave of right-wing populism that has swept across the US and Europe has peaked.

26 Apr 2026 - 11:18AMvideocam

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban salutes supporters in Budapest on April 12. Photo: AFP

European Union

Germany’s Merz says no ‘immediate’ Ukraine EU membership

There is little appetite to fast track Kyiv to full membership in the EU – causing some to pitch possible interim benefits in the meantime.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Ukraine war

EU approves US$106 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary lifts veto

The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for the next two years.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

European Union

Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law breaches EU rules as court ruling hailed as ‘historic’

The European Court of Justice rules that the rights of transgender and non-heterosexual individuals in Hungary have been infringed upon.

21 Apr 2026 - 5:58PM

People carry a Rainbow flag at the Budapest Pride parade held in Hungary’s capital last year. Photo: AFP

European Union

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

Rumen Radev has criticised military support for Ukraine’s war effort and the European Union’s heavy reliance on renewable energy.

20 Apr 2026 - 9:25PM

Former Bulgarian president Rumen Radev attends a pre-election event of his political coalition “Progressive Bulgaria” in Sofia on Thursday. Photo: TNS

Fame and celebrity

Meet Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoang, the Olympians who made their runway debut

The brothers, who were born to a Chinese father and Hungarian mother, now represent China in sport – and appeared at Shanghai Fashion Week.

19 Apr 2026 - 6:00AM

Focus

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

19 Apr 2026 - 1:32AMvideocam

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Hungary

Chess champion Judit Polgar rejects offer to become Hungary’s president

PM Peter Magyar had nominated Polgar as a figure from outside politics to help carry out his ‘regime change’ from Orban’s hardline era.

Hungary probes deal with China’s BYD after ex-foreign minister takes job there

China’s car shipments to EU surge, but could be nearing peak: European analysts

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

Man jailed for killing US tourist in Hungary during ‘intimate encounter’

After his arrest in 2024, the man claimed Michalski’s death had been an accident. But police said he had attempted to cover up his crime.

Cathay Pacific ordered to submit report after Hungarian fighter jets intercept plane

City’s flag carrier says London-bound flight temporarily lost communication with local air traffic control, but was never in danger.

Looking East: Europe’s banks look to Hong Kong amid global uncertainty

European banks, facing rising costs and energy instability, are turning to Hong Kong for funding, with Hungary’s OTP Bank leading the shift.

Heatwave grips Eastern Europe after Germany weather breaks records

The intense and unusually early heat event underscores how climate change is transforming summers in the world’s fastest-warming continent.

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected.

Thousands protest Czech government plan for public broadcaster funding

Critics warn shifting TV and radio funding to the state budget will dismantle media independence.

Zelensky proposes meeting Putin in US after Russian leader ‘ignores’ G7 invite

Ukrainian leader said he made the proposal in a call with Trump, suggesting Putin would find the offer of a US meeting ‘harder to refuse’.

Hungarian parliament rules out Orban return with 8-year limit for PMs

Viktor Orban was ousted by PM Peter Magyar in an election in April after 16 years in power. Magyar has promised a ‘regime change’.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | EU threat of trade war against China is a strategic farce

The EU is mistaken in believing it still has economic leverage. A trade war will not save an economy in decline.

Hungary MPs back plan to cut their own salaries by 40 per cent

New PM Peter Magyar had pushed for the cuts, saying that ‘besides humanity, it is about self-restraint and humility’.

Ukraine, Hungary agree on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks

The long-running dispute had strained ties between Budapest and Kyiv and complicated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

French police arrest 780 after violent Paris Saint-Germain celebrations

Authorities said that planned celebrations for the team’s win on Sunday afternoon at the Champ de Mars, near the Eiffel Tower, would go ahead as scheduled.

Chinese investment in Europe surges to 7-year high despite rising trade tensions

But study warns that new project pipeline appears to be drying up, as Chinese investors face pressure from both Beijing and Brussels.

Chinese companies in Hungary scramble to adjust to post-Orban era

BYD tells builders of Hungarian factory to abide by labour laws as new government adopts stricter approach to foreign investment.

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

The move came on the same day the WHO said Ukraine’s mental health crisis is growing, with ‘work to do until the end of the century’.

Poland’s ex-minister facing prosecution at home travels from Hungary to US

Former Justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro faces prosecution for alleged abuse of power.

‘Wonderful’: new Hungarian PM Magyar sworn in ending Orban’s 16-year rule

Magyar’s centre-right party defeated authoritarian Orban last month, which will allow it to roll back many of his policies.

Orban won’t take up Hungary parliament seat after loss, wants to lead renewal

The PM’s defeat was hailed by many as proof that the wave of right-wing populism that has swept across the US and Europe has peaked.

Germany’s Merz says no ‘immediate’ Ukraine EU membership

There is little appetite to fast track Kyiv to full membership in the EU – causing some to pitch possible interim benefits in the meantime.

EU approves US$106 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary lifts veto

The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for the next two years.

Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law breaches EU rules as court ruling hailed as ‘historic’

The European Court of Justice rules that the rights of transgender and non-heterosexual individuals in Hungary have been infringed upon.

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

Rumen Radev has criticised military support for Ukraine’s war effort and the European Union’s heavy reliance on renewable energy.

Meet Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoang, the Olympians who made their runway debut

The brothers, who were born to a Chinese father and Hungarian mother, now represent China in sport – and appeared at Shanghai Fashion Week.

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

Opinion | EU threat of trade war against China is a strategic farce