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Viktor Orban

Viktor Orban
The latest news and updates on Viktor Orban, a Hungarian lawyer who co-founded the anti-communist Federation of Young Democrats (Fidesz), initially liberal, later shifting it to the centre-right. He served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 2002, overseeing Hungary’s NATO accession and economic improvements. Continuously holding the premiership since 2010, Orban leads Fidesz, implementing conservative, nationalist policies. His tenure is characterised by "illiberal Christian democracy," strong anti-immigration stances, and pronatalist initiatives. While credited with economic growth, his administration faces significant criticism for undermining democratic institutions, judicial independence, and media freedom.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban. Photo: EPA
Hungary

Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats, Moscow vows ‘painful’ response

Budapest says the envoys had acted in ways incompatible with their status, but stresses the decision does not mean cutting ties with Russia.

Hungary

Hungary parliament approves Orban-critic judge as president

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China-EU relations

Inspectors checking workers’ papers at BYD factory site in Hungary: source

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Hungary

Chess champion turns down offer to be Hungary’s president

Prime Minister Peter Magyar had floated Judit Polgar, but chess icon says she lacks the strength to lead a fractured country.

Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

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

Peter Szijjarto’s announcement that he would take a job at the world’s top electric carmaker prompted accusations of a conflict of interest.

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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.

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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’.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: EPA
Hungary

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’.

Hungary

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’.

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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.

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

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

Hungary

‘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.

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Hungary

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.

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

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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
Hungary

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.

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.

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Hungary

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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

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Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban concedes defeat in parliamentary elections to his rival, conservative Peter Magyar, a former government insider and political newcomer who has promised “system change”. Photo: AFP
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.

Hungary

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.

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.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz is trailing the rival Tisza Party in the polls ahead of the April 12 election. Photo: Reuters
Hungary

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.

Serbian military police block a road after explosives were discovered near the international gas pipeline connecting Serbia and Hungary. Photo: Serbia’s Ministry of Defence via EPA
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’.

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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.

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