About: Hungarian EU Presidency
Hungarian EU Presidency slithers through last debate
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán appeared before the European Parliament yesterday (5 July) in a debriefing exercise with MEPs after the end of the Hungarian EU Presidency. He was commended by political allies for his steering of the EU, but was also strongly criticised by many others for his handling of domestic affairs.
EU moving towards deal on derivatives crackdown
The European Union is moving closer to a deal on its derivatives crackdown that could risk confrontation with the US, which has warned it is straying from an agreed global approach.
Hungary scores EU points with schnapps machine
Hungary, which holds the European Union's rotating presidency, has used every tool in diplomacy to impress visiting EU officials. The most memorable touch, however, may be a parting shot of fruit brandy.
Hungary alone in waving EU flag in Tripoli
Of all EU countries' embassies in Libya, only Hungary has a diplomatic presence in Tripoli and provides information to the EU. The European Commission told EURACTIV that the situation on the ground was "very difficult" and that the EU was "paying tribute" to the Hungarian Presidency for the work they are doing.
Denmark against early Schengen enlargement too
Danish MEPs across party lines have asked their government to back France and Germany in their opposition to the early accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU's Schengen borderless area. Dnevnik, EURACTIV's partner in Bulgaria, reports.
At presidency midterm, Orbán denounces EU ‘absurdities’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán presented in Brussels yesterday (14 April) his country's accomplishments halfway through its EU presidency. Pre-empting tough questions on Hungarian internal politics, Orbán lashed out at some of Europe's "absurdities".
Hungary moves closer to eurozone opt-out
By awarding the forint the status of the only legal tender in Hungary, the country's ruling supermajority appears to be opting out from the euro zone. EURACTIV Hungary reports.
New Hungarian constitution slithers through EU hearing
Feeble disapproval was voiced at a presentation of Hungary's draft new constitution in the European Parliament yesterday (29 March), with the organisers – from Hungary's ruling centre-right parties – benefiting from the absence of socialist MEPs.
Hungary’s new constitution: Family friendly, hostile to gays
Its authors may have dubbed it "a constitution for the 21st Century" but the final text of the new Hungarian constitution, due to be adopted next month, appears to be a eulogy to the country's Christian roots and past greatness.
‘iPad constitution’ poses challenge to Hungary
The new Hungarian constitution will be ready on 15 March and will be adopted a month later, its main author, centre-right MEP József Szájer – who wrote part of it on his iPad – told EURACTIV in an interview. The country's opposition claims the procedure for adopting the new constitution is illegitimate and the controversy could impact upon the Hungarian EU Presidency.
Fidesz MEP: Hungary will have new constitution before Easter
The new Hungarian constitution will be adopted by mid-April, the week before Easter, Fidesz MEP József Szájer, vice-chair of the European People's Party and chairman of a group of three parliamentarians who are drafting the New Hungarian Constitution, told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Philosopher sparks Hungarian clash in European Parliament
The centre-right Hungarian government of Viktor Orbán is "criminalising 20 years of democratic transition in the country," a prominent Hungarian philosopher told the European Parliament yesterday (1 March). MEPs close to the Orbán government denounced the speaker as "a liar".
Brussels happy with Hungary’s pledges on media law
The European Commission welcomed yesterday (16 February) the amendments that Hungary has pledged to make to its controversial media law, seeking to draw to a close an episode that has poisoned the beginning of the Hungarian EU Presidency. EURACTIV Hungary contributed to this article.Orbán says Hungary made its critics look ‘ridiculous’
Hungary has made international critics of its media law look "ridiculous" and shown that it will not take orders from abroad, including from the EU, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said yesterday (14 February). Hungary is the current holder of the EU's six-month rotating presidency.
Hungary told to amend three elements of media law
The stand-off between the European Commission and rotating EU presidency holder Hungary this week entered an appeasement phase, after Budapest indicated it was ready to make changes to its controversial media law. Brussels said it wanted three elements of the text modifying.
Hungarian PM receives frosty reception in Strasbourg
Members of the European Parliament gave a frosty reception to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán yesterday (19 January) in Strasbourg, where he came to deliver the traditional presentation of his country's EU presidency programme.
Parliament scales down Hungary media law debate
A European Parliament debate over Hungary's controversial media law, scheduled to take place at a Strasbourg plenary, had to be rescheduled in a smaller room after the EU assembly's two biggest political groups voted against the plan.
Liberal MEPs initiate Hungarian Presidency boycott
MEPs from the European Parliament's liberal ALDE group have called for the venue of a meeting to be changed from Budapest to Brussels, as a sign of protest against a controversial media law recently adopted in Hungary, the country holding the rotating EU presidency.
Kroes: Commission ‘not shy’ on Hungarian media law
Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes said yesterday (11 January) that the European Commission would not make any compromise and would make sure EU law is implemented fully in the case of the controversial Hungarian media law.
This is Hungary’s real democratic revolution, says MEP
The Hungarian government is in fact bringing real democratic change to the country – something that didn't happen 20 years ago, Hungarian MEP György Schöpflin of the ruling Fidesz party told EURACTIV in an interview..
Fidesz MEP: West is projecting its own frustrations on Hungary
Hungary is "sort of European" but not in the same way as France or Germany. Meanwhile it's very easy for the West to project its own feelings of disappointment on Budapest by claiming it is guilty, Hungarian MEP György Schöpflin (Fidesz; European People's Party) told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Schengen confusion under Hungarian stewardship
The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the border-free Schengen space has been postponed, a Hungarian minister announced yesterday (6 January). After a nervous reaction from Bucharest, the statement was soon denied by the Hungarian authorities, who hold the EU's rotating presidency. EURACTIV's network reports.
Barroso: Media freedom is ‘our sacred principle’
Media freedom is "a sacred principle" of the European Union, José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, stated ahead of a visit alongside all his commissioners to EU presidency holder Hungary. Budapest is under fire over a controversial media law adopted recently.