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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

Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar attends a press conference in Paris, France, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

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

31 May 2026 - 9:56PM

China-EU relations

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

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

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

A man in military uniform sits near a makeshift memorial dedicated to the fallen Ukrainian soldiers and international volunteers in Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine on April 20, 2026. Photo: EPA

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

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

European Union

Incoming Hungarian leader vows to suspend state news broadcasts

Peter Magyar wants to restore media independence after his landslide election win, ending Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:05PMvideocam

Hungary’s Prime minister-elect Peter Magyar in Budapest on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

United States

Vance had 2 jobs last week. Neither happened for the US vice-president

J.D. Vance returns to Washington empty-handed after a diplomatic tour that saw the fall of a key European ally and a stalemate in Islamabad.

14 Apr 2026 - 1:32PM

China trade

Hungary’s PM-elect Magyar sends warm overture to China, vows fair play for firms

Peter Magyar pledges reforms to restore transparency and fiscal stability as Hungary shifts from Viktor Orban’s investment model.

14 Apr 2026 - 12:37AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Why Beijing isn’t panicking over Hungarian PM Orban’s stunning election defeat

China’s substantial investments in the central European country point to bilateral cooperation that is mutually beneficial, analysts say.

13 Apr 2026 - 9:33PMvideocam

Peter Magyar, leader of Hungary’s Tisza Party, waves the national flag at a victory rally in Budapest on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua

Viktor Orban

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:42AM

China manufacturing

Chinese firms in Hungary face a post-election reckoning – no matter who wins

With opposition Tisza party leading in the polls, businesses ponder implications if Orban’s Fidesz party loses 16-year grip on power.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:57PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says China helped get Iran to the negotiating table for ceasefire deal

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:28AMvideocam

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US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he warns of potential escalation ahead of a deadline for Iran to accept a peace deal. Photo: AP

European Union

Vance visits Hungary to boost Orban re-election bid

Orban, a Eurosceptic nationalist in power since 2010, is facing the toughest re-election bid of his career, with polls indicating his party will lose.

8 Apr 2026 - 9:25AM

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (right) welcomes US Vice-President J.D. Vance in front of his office in Budapest, Hungary on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

China-EU relations

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:40PMvideocam

Viktor Orban

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

6 Apr 2026 - 1:46PM

Ukraine war

Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

US redirects air defences and eases oil sanctions on Moscow, leaving Kyiv to face Russian assaults with dwindling resources.

26 Mar 2026 - 2:08PM

Russian soldiers carry ammunition for a self-propelled cannon to fire towards a Ukrainian position. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via AP

European Union

EU delays proposal to permanently ban Russian oil imports

The proposal is not cancelled, but would no longer be published by April 15 due to ‘current geopolitical developments’.

24 Mar 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia at the Hungarian MOL Group’s Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary. Photo: Reuters

Slovenia

Slovenia’s liberal PM claims win over conservatives in tight election

Prime Minister Robert Golob’s party has a slight edge over his Trump-aligned rival Janez Jansa.

23 Mar 2026 - 12:01PM

Ukraine war

EU leaders clash with Hungary’s Orban for blocking Ukraine loan

A vital US$103 billion lifeline is being held up by Budapest over a dispute involving a war-damaged oil pipeline.

20 Mar 2026 - 2:42PM

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