About: Viktor Orbán
Tweets of the Week: Hungary, EU Aid, D.I.Y. Art
Orban’s audacity is right off the chart; an EU support scheme will everyone take part?; and a bored lockdown world makes its own art.
Von der Leyen ‘concerned’ over Hungary virus emergency law
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed "particular" concern on Thursday (2 April) over a coronavirus emergency law in Hungary that has given nationalist premier Viktor Orbán sweeping powers.
Sassoli shows his differences with von der Leyen over Hungary
European Parliament President David Sassoli has asked the European Commission to assess whether the new laws introduced in Hungary under the disguise of coronavirus emergency comply with the most important text of EU treaties, he said late on Tuesday (31 March).
Orbán to rule by decree with new powers to ‘silence critics’
The Hungarian Parliament approved new emergency powers on Monday (30 March) that will allow the ruling Fidesz party the right to rule by decree, without a set time limit, in a move that prompted an outcry from human rights groups.
Coronavirus to father EU’s ‘first dicatatorship’?
A "dictatorship" at the heart of the EU? A draft law to grant anti-coronavirus emergency measures set for adoption by Budapest has alarmed observers who fear it will hand Prime Minister Viktor Orbán unlimited power.
Hungary’s state of emergency law is a ‘blank cheque’ to Orban, critics say
A draft Hungarian law allowing the government to rule by decree during the state of emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic risks staying in place indefinitely, the opposition has warned.
Janez Jansa, admirer of Viktor Orban, to be nominated PM of Slovenia
The centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), led by former prime minister Janez Janša, late on Tuesday (25 February) agreed on a future government coalition with three other parties, the four parties said.
EPP coup: Orbán sends angry memo to party leadership
Viktor Orbán, Hungary's strongman and prime minister, called for an “internal debate on the future mission of the EPP" in a memorandum sent to the leadership of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), whose dominance has receded following the May European elections.
A brief history of graft in Orbán’s Hungary
Corruption is deeply embedded in Hungary, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán shielded by a cluster of wealthy bosses with close personal and political ties to the leader, writes Szabolcs Panyi.
Hungary plans citizen survey against court compensations for Roma
Hungary’s right-wing government plans next month to survey its citizens to determine whether the courts should stop financially compensating Roma for discrimination and prisoners for mistreatment. Critics say the government survey will pave the way for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán...
Palestinian leader warns UN on Trump’s ‘Swiss cheese’ peace
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday (11 February) urged the UN Security Council to reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, saying it would splinter Palestinian lands and never bring lasting peace.
Brexit redraws European Parliament battle lines
This Friday's (31 January) Brexit and the departure of Britain's MEPs will shake up the balance of power in the European Parliament and could complicate Brussels' reform agenda.
Top Hungarian lawyer accuses PM Orban of harming rule of law
Hungary's top defence lawyer accused Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Tuesday (21 January) of undermining the rule of law through his refusal to accept two court decisions that require payouts of state funds.
Austria and V4 agree on everything but nuclear
The leaders of the V4 group met on Thursday (16 January) in Prague’s renovated national museum to discuss migration, border security, competitiveness, enlargement and climate. The newly appointed Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, also in attendance, said he wanted to “fight”...
Fidesz-PiS talks point towards potential exit from EPP
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Poland's ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) in Warsaw on Tuesday (8 January) amid growing speculation that his Fidesz party plans to leave the EPP.
Behind-the-curtain of the EU’s 2050 climate plan, part II
In October 2018, EURACTIV revealed how the European Commission was planning to propose an ambitious new climate plan for 2050. Now the EU is on the cusp of agreeing to implement it. Here is how the pieces line up ahead of crunch talks later in December.
Orban says Hungary to increase its EU influence with the enlargement portfolio
Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hailed Friday (22 November) the confirmation of Budapest's nominee as a key EU commissioner as the country's "biggest diplomatic success" in a decade.
MEPs shut out of Hungary Council hearing as rule of law situation worsens
MEPs are reeling after being shut out of a Council hearing under the Article 7 procedure against Hungary for systemic breaches to the rule of law, as the situation in the country further deteriorates.
Tusk vows to fight populism, elected new EPP chief
Outgoing EU Council president Donald Tusk pledged Wednesday (20 November) to fight political populism as he was elected leader of Europe's main conservative parties during their group meeting in Croatia.
British MEP: Orban is not an extremist, would be ‘interesting’ to have him in ECR
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has done nothing really outrageous except to challenge the “EU orthodoxy” in some areas, and has been unfairly labelled as an extremist, the leader of British conservatives in the European Parliament, told EURACTIV.
Budapest declares climate emergency, teases carbon-neutrality
The new Green mayor of Budapest on Tuesday (5 November) added his city to the growing list of capitals to have declared climate emergencies. It is the first visible break with Viktor Orbán’s government, which still opposes an EU plan to go climate-neutral by 2050.
Germany decries Iran’s move to speed up nuclear work, urges return to accord
Iran's announcement that it has developed advanced machines to speed up uranium enrichment jeopardises a 2015 accord with world powers, Germany's foreign minister said on Monday (4 November), urging Tehran to return to the pact.
Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland ‘breached EU law’ by refusing refugees
The Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland likely broke EU law by refusing to take in asylum-seekers at the height of the refugee crisis in 2015, the top EU court's legal advisor said Thursday (31 October).