About: Hungary
Parliament seeks financial punishment for countries breaching rule of law
European Union countries that undermine the bloc's democratic principles could lose EU funds, under a draft law backed by the European Parliament on Thursday (17 January).
Orban puts hopes in new anti-migration European Parliament
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Thursday (10 January) said he hoped the next European Parliament will be dominated by anti-immigration forces. He also criticised France and Germany in blunt terms, saying he "must fight" French President Emmanuel Macron.
2019 LOOKAHEAD: New brand of social upheaval takes shape ahead of EU elections
The yellow vests in France and Belgium may be only the tip of the iceberg of a major social upheaval ahead of the European elections, with a common denominator: people protesting their worsening living standards do not want to be represented by the existing political forces.
Hungary protests spark opposition coalition – but will it last?
Week-long protests in Budapest have forged fragmented opposition parties into a rare coalition against Viktor Orbán, drawing young Hungarians into the streets to demonstrate against what they see as his increasingly authoritarian rule.
Weber: There is no special treatment for Viktor Orban in EPP
For the European People's Party, it is clear that Europe must stand by its principles and defend the rule of law, Manfred Weber, the head of the EPP group in the European Parliament, told EURACTIV Poland.
Opposition MPs ejected from Hungary state TV after protest
Security guards ejected two independent lawmakers from Hungary's state television building on Monday (17 December) after they tried to read out a petition, a day after police used tear gas against pro-democracy protesters in Budapest.
Belgian PM suggests Visegrad countries should be ousted from Schengen
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Friday (14 December) EU countries that show no solidarity in the management of migration open the debate about whether they have a place in the Schengen area.
Tweets of the Week: Strasbourg attack, democracy challenged in Hungary, and Theresa May
Outrage over Strasbourg attack, democracy in Hungary continues to crack, and Theresa May avoids the sack.
Chaos as Hungarian MPs pass ‘slave law’ and government-controlled court
Rare scenes of chaos gripped the Hungarian parliament Wednesday (12 December) as it passed a controversial judicial reform, as well as labour legislation that critics call a "slave law".
Of funds and values: Conditionality in EU cohesion policy
As the EU's multi-annual budget is being negotiated, the amounts and efficiency of spending matter but also priorities and European values when disbursing programmes. Smarter conditionality is needed, triggering less political backlash, and, where needed, direct payment to beneficiaries, argue Benedek Jávor and Laszlo Andor.
Marrakesh UN forum adopts migration pact despite withdrawals
A United Nations conference adopted a migration pact in front of leaders and representatives from over 160 countries in Morocco on Monday (10 December), despite a string of withdrawals, including several EU countries, driven by anti-immigrant populism.
Orbán exempts pro-government behemoth media group from scrutiny
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has exempted a mammoth pro-government media group from scrutiny by the national competition watchdog, according to a decree published late on Wednesday (5 December).
Soros-funded university says it is being forced out of Hungary
Hungary's Central European University, founded by George Soros, said on Monday (3 December) it has been forced out of the country in "an arbitrary eviction" that violated academic freedom, and confirmed plans to enrol new students in neighbouring Austria next year.
Macedonia moves closer towards name change
Macedonia's lawmakers moved closer on Sunday (2 December) to rename the country and remove a key hurdle on the road to breaking a decades-long stalemate with Greece.
Hungary persists in row with Soros-founded university
Just days from a deadline to settle a legal dispute with a university founded by US billionaire George Soros, Hungary's foreign minister indicated Wednesday (28 November) his government will not back down.
US warns Hungary and neighbours against Turkish Stream
The US has repeatedly taken position against Nord Stream 2, a Russia-sponsored pipeline planned to bring gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. But this time Washington took position against another such pipeline, bringing Russian gas under the Black Sea.
Six EU countries – and counting – back out from the global migration pact
Bulgaria has become the sixth EU country after Hungary, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Croatia to signal that it will not sign the global migration agreement at a ceremony in Morocco in December.
Hungarian police drops Orban-linked corruption probe
A police decision to close a corruption probe linked to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's family "strengthens doubts" about the independence of Hungary's law enforcement bodies, an EU official said Wednesday (7 November).
EU’s troublemakers find comfort in Chinese arms
Cornered by their EU partners, Italy, Hungary and the UK were welcomed with open arms by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his landmark trade event held in Shanghai this week, where around 3,000 companies from more than 130 countries are taking part in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Macron warns Europe of a return to 1930s
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned Europe of a return to the 1930s because of the spread of a nationalist "leprosy" across the continent, in an interview published Thursday (1 November).
Hungary’s top court clears journalist who kicked refugees
The Supreme Court in Hungary, a country known for its tough stance on migration, has cleared of all charges the camerawoman who kicked refugees live on camera at the Serbia-Hungary border in 2015.
Commission regrets Austria’s decision not to sign the global migration pact
Austria will follow the United States and Hungary in backing out of a United Nations pact on migration over concerns that it will blur the line between legal and illegal migration, the right-wing government told media on Wednesday (31 October). The EU Commission regretted the decision.
Macron warns Visegrad Four not to leave EU values behind
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday (26 October) warned eastern EU members not to fall out of step with the bloc's principles, singling out Hungary and Poland whose nationalist governments have clashed with Brussels.