Hungary’s new government is moving to repair relations with Ukraine and European partners, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcoming Budapest’s decision to unblock EU accession talks and efforts to resolve longstanding disputes over minority language rights in Transcarpathia.
Russia Expels Hungarian Diplomats as Espionage Dispute Deepens
Russia has ordered Hungarian diplomatic personnel to leave the country in retaliation for Budapest’s expulsion of ten Russian diplomats over espionage and national security concerns, marking a sharp deterioration in relations between Moscow and Hungary’s new government.
Hungarian Parliament Prepares to Elect New President Following Constitutional Amendment
Hungary’s parliament must elect a new president within 30 days after a constitutional amendment ended the incumbent’s mandate, with parliamentary speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer temporarily assuming presidential duties during the transition.
Former Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán Attacks New Government's Tax and Economic Policies
Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has criticised Hungary’s new administration for abandoning the economic policies pursued during his 16 years in power, arguing that higher taxes could undermine major industrial investments by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD.
Hungarian Authorities Arrest Former Minister Balázs Hankó Over Alleged €47 Million Misappropriation
Hungarian authorities have detained former culture minister Balázs Hankó on suspicion of diverting more than €47 million in public funding for unauthorised purposes during his tenure, in a major corruption investigation following the change of government.
Hungary Cuts EU Defence Loan Request From €16 Billion to Just Over €5 Billion
Hungary’s Finance Ministry has sharply reduced its application under the European Union’s SAFE defence financing programme, citing concerns about sovereign debt and a reassessment of borrowing plans inherited from the previous administration.
Hungary Launches Renewable Energy Investment Plan to Reduce Reliance on Russian Fuels
Hungary’s Energy Ministry has unveiled a multibillion-forint programme to expand solar and wind power integration into the electricity grid, seeking to lower domestic energy costs and reduce the country’s dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports.
Hungary's Paks II Nuclear Project Faces Further Delays Over Russian Reactor Components
Hungary’s nuclear regulator has indicated that additional safety certification will be required for critical Russian-made components at the Paks II expansion, pushing the planned start of operations further into the next decade.
Hungary Reviews Chinese-Funded Budapest-Belgrade Railway Project
Hungarian government auditors have begun examining the financing and contractual arrangements behind the Chinese-funded Budapest-Belgrade railway modernisation project, assessing whether the investment can be restructured to better serve domestic freight and logistics needs.
Former Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó Questioned Over BYD Investment Subsidies
Hungary’s parliamentary national security committee has questioned former foreign minister Péter Szijjártó for three hours about his links to construction contractors and the state incentives offered to Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD during his time in office.
Hungarian Investigation Finds More Victims in Budapest Children's Home Abuse Case
An independent investigation released by Hungary’s State Secretary for Child Protection has found that the former director of a Budapest children’s home likely abused more victims than authorities previously acknowledged, prompting plans for extensive reforms to child protection institutions.
Hungary Allocates 80 Billion Forints to Ease Regional Hospital Debt Crisis
Hungary’s health authorities have approved an emergency allocation of 80 billion forints to settle outstanding debts at state-run hospitals, aiming to prevent the suspension of non-emergency surgical procedures at several regional medical centres.
Hungarian Parliament Debates Tighter Rules for Asian Guest Workers
Hungary’s parliament is considering legislation that would introduce stricter recruitment quotas and oversight for workers from outside the European Union, particularly those employed by multinational manufacturers, following growing tensions in industrial communities.
Hungary's Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady as Forint Stabilises
Hungary’s central bank has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, balancing easing domestic inflation against the need to support the forint amid continued economic uncertainty in the eurozone.
Ukraine's New Ambassador Takes Office in Budapest After Months of Diplomatic Delays
Sándor Fegyir, a university professor from Transcarpathia who has served on the Ukrainian front line, has formally assumed his position as Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary after delays to his accreditation under the previous Hungarian administration.
Hungarian Teachers Move Closer to Agreement on Proposed 20% Pay Increase
Hungarian teachers’ unions have reported progress in negotiations with the new education authorities over a proposed 20% increase in base salaries, as the government seeks to address persistent staffing shortages in primary and secondary schools.
Budapest Tightens Restrictions on Short-Term Tourist Rentals to Ease Housing Shortage
Budapest authorities have approved new zoning rules restricting unregulated holiday rentals in central districts, seeking to improve housing availability for residents and address steep increases in residential rents.
Hungarian Retail Sales Recover Modestly as Food Inflation Reaches Three-Year Low
Hungary’s Central Statistical Office has reported a slight monthly increase in retail sales as food inflation falls to its lowest level in three years, suggesting that easing grocery costs are beginning to support household purchasing power after a prolonged economic downturn.
OTP Bank Reports Strong Third-Quarter Profit on Central European Lending Growth
Hungary’s largest commercial bank, OTP, has exceeded market expectations for third-quarter earnings, supported by sustained corporate borrowing and the expansion of digital banking services across its Balkan subsidiaries.
BMW Reaffirms Production Schedule for Electric Vehicle Factory in Debrecen
German automaker BMW has confirmed that its multibillion-euro manufacturing facility in eastern Hungary remains on schedule to reach full production, dismissing concerns that weaker European economic conditions could delay the rollout of its Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform.
Infineon Expands Hungarian Semiconductor Testing Facility With €50 Million Investment
German chipmaker Infineon has opened a new semiconductor testing wing at its Cegléd facility in Hungary, investing €50 million to strengthen European automotive chip supplies as manufacturers expand electric vehicle production.
Hungarian State Broadcasters Reduce Political Coverage Following Management Changes
Independent media analysts have reported a sharp decline in partisan political messaging on Hungarian public television following a post-election management overhaul, alongside increased appearances by independent experts compared with the same period last year.
Hungarian Corruption Survey Finds Only One in Four Citizens Would Report Misconduct
A representative study published by Hungary’s Integrity Authority shows that although most citizens regard corruption as a serious national problem, only around a quarter say they would report suspected wrongdoing to authorities if they witnessed it.
Hungarian Mental Health Survey Links Rising Anxiety to Financial and Workplace Pressures
A national Ipsos study has identified financial insecurity and workplace stress as leading contributors to anxiety among Hungarian adults, while finding that social stigma continues to discourage many people from seeking professional mental healthcare.
Hungarian Farmers Adopt Fish-Farming Water Technology to Restore Drought-Damaged Land
Farmers in the Great Hungarian Plain are introducing irri