About: Viktor Orbán
Orbán sees shift to illiberal Christian democracy in 2019 European vote
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Saturday (28 July) that European parliament elections next year could bring about a shift toward illiberal "Christian democracy" in the European Union that would end the era of multiculturalism.
Orbán compares Juncker Commission to dead frog
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said today (27 July) that a new European Commission is needed with a new approach to migration policy, adding that the days of the current EU executive are “numbered” with its mandate expiring next May.
Hungary slams EU legal action over asylum seekers
Hungary yesterday (24 July) criticised legal action by the European Union to make the country comply with EU asylum rules as "unacceptable" and an attack against those who protect Europe.
EU raps Hungary for ‘Stop Soros’ law, steps up legal battle
The European Commission yesterday (19 July) stepped up a legal battle with Hungary over EU migration rules and denounced as illegal its "Stop Soros" law that criminalises support for asylum seekers.
EU makes another attempt to press Ukraine to fight corruption
EU leaders used the 20th EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels on Monday (9 July) to press the country’s president, Petro Poroshenko, once again to take credible steps to fight rampant corruption.
Member of Hungarian opposition: EU should not fund Orbán
Gergely Karácsony, a well-known figure of the Hungarian opposition, has called on the EU to stop funding Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s eurosceptic and populist policies with European funds. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
Chilly Western reactions to Erdogan’s win
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday (26 June) celebrated winning sweeping new powers in a decisive election victory, as his main rival accepted the outcome despite complaints over an unequal campaign that alarmed the EU.
MEPs call on Parliament to trigger Article 7 procedure against Hungary
The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) recommended on Monday (June 25) triggering an Article 7 procedure against Hungary for breaching the fundamental values of the Union under Viktor Orbán’s rule.
Tensions build ahead of hastily prepared migration meeting
Jean-Claude Juncker's invitation to a handful of EU leaders for an informal mini-summit on Sunday (27 June) to discuss migration and asylum appears to have raised more issues than the meeting can solve.
Hungary approves ‘STOP Soros’ law, prohibits ‘resettlement of alien population’
Hungary’s parliament yesterday (20 June) approved a package of bills that criminalises some help given to illegal immigrants, defying the European Union and human rights groups. Parliament, where Fidesz has a two-thirds majority, also passed a constitutional amendment stating that...
Italian PM Conte slams French ‘hypocrisy’ in migrant convoy clash
Italy forged ahead with plans to send hundreds of migrants to Spain in a small naval convoy on Tuesday (12 June) after shutting its own ports to them, sparking a war of words with France that exposed EU tensions over immigration.
‘Our time will come’ – Hungarian leader says youth will oust Orban in 2022
Can Viktor Orban be beaten? András Fekete-Győr, founder of the Momentum movement in Hungary, explains why he thinks it is possible.
Hungary moves to jail NGOs for helping migrants
Individuals or groups who help migrants not entitled to protection to submit requests for asylum or who help illegal migrants gain status to stay in Hungary will be liable to jail under legislation submitted to parliament on Tuesday (29 May).
Austrian Presidency reveals iconoclastic plans to beef up EU’s external borders
In interviews with two major European newspapers, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz lifted the veil on the plans of his country's EU presidency, which starts on 1 July. Unsurprisingly, the main highlight is to fortify the EU’s external borders.
European elections in the era of disruption
To some extent the vote next May will be a test of the resilience of the forces of disruption, the main achievement of whom so far being Brexit, writes Geoffrey Harris.
Orbán sworn in as PM for third time, eyes 20 more years in power
Fresh from a landslide election win in April, Hungary's combative premier Viktor Orbán was formally sworn in as prime minister Thursday (10 May), and hinted at designs on power until at least 2030.
New Hungary protest as Orbán installs ‘Christian democracy’
Thousands of Hungarians gathered Tuesday (8 May) to protest against strongman Viktor Orbán after he was nominated for re-election as prime minister for a third consecutive term during the inauguration of the new parliament.
Hungary blasts Commission over EU funding ‘blackmail’ plan
Hungary said Thursday (3 May) that a European Union plan to link the bloc's funding payouts to respect for the rule of law amounted to "blackmail", a day after Brussels unveiled its first post-Brexit multi-year budget plan.
Empire strikes back: EU to combat eastern strongmen with funding threat
The European Union will deploy a new financial weapon next week to try to rein in what Brussels sees as illiberal nationalism rising in the east of the bloc and threatening its democratic foundations.
Civil organisations in Hungary brace for government crackdown on NGOs
Non-governmental organisations in the crosshairs of Hungary's EPP-affiliated government are seeking new funding sources and legal ways to counter a new law that would allow the interior minister to ban NGOs deemed to pose a "national security risk".
Tens of thousands of Hungarians protest against PM Orban’s rule
Tens of thousands of Hungarians protested on Saturday (21 April) against government control over the media, which they say helped Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to a landslide election victory earlier this month.
MEPs demand triggering Article 7 against Hungary
MEPs are demanding the launch of an infringement procedure against Hungary for breaching 'core EU values', just days after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s sweeping election success.
Hungarian people want to ‘stop Soros’, Orbán says
Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Tuesday (10 April) that his resounding election win, challenged by the opposition, shows that voters want to stop US billionaire philanthropist George Soros interfering in the country.