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Hungary

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hungary. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Budapest

Head of State

President Tamás Sulyok

Head of Government

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

Poland’s former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro reacts after he was detained by police at the Polish TV Republika station’s headquarters in Warsaw, Poland in January last year. Photo: via Reuters

European Union

Poland’s ex-minister facing prosecution at home travels from Hungary to US

Former Justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro faces prosecution for alleged abuse of power.

11 May 2026 - 8:45PM

European Union

‘Wonderful’: new Hungarian PM Magyar sworn in ending Orban’s 16-year rule

9 May 2026 - 11:56PMvideocam

Viktor Orban

Orban won’t take up Hungary parliament seat after loss, wants to lead renewal

26 Apr 2026 - 11:18AMvideocam

European Union

Germany’s Merz says no ‘immediate’ Ukraine EU membership

There is little appetite to fast track Kyiv to full membership in the EU – causing some to pitch possible interim benefits in the meantime.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz (middle) shakes hands with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of an informal meeting of the European Council, in Ayia Napa on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

EU approves US$106 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary lifts veto

The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for the next two years.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

European Union

Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law breaches EU rules as court ruling hailed as ‘historic’

The European Court of Justice rules that the rights of transgender and non-heterosexual individuals in Hungary have been infringed upon.

21 Apr 2026 - 5:58PM

European Union

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

Rumen Radev has criticised military support for Ukraine’s war effort and the European Union’s heavy reliance on renewable energy.

20 Apr 2026 - 9:25PM

Former Bulgarian president Rumen Radev attends a pre-election event of his political coalition “Progressive Bulgaria” in Sofia on Thursday. Photo: TNS

Fame and celebrity

Meet Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoang, the Olympians who made their runway debut

The brothers, who were born to a Chinese father and Hungarian mother, now represent China in sport – and appeared at Shanghai Fashion Week.

19 Apr 2026 - 6:00AM

Focus

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

19 Apr 2026 - 1:32AMvideocam

European Union

Incoming Hungarian leader vows to suspend state news broadcasts

Peter Magyar wants to restore media independence after his landslide election win, ending Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:05PMvideocam

Hungary’s Prime minister-elect Peter Magyar in Budapest on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

United States

Vance had 2 jobs last week. Neither happened for the US vice-president

J.D. Vance returns to Washington empty-handed after a diplomatic tour that saw the fall of a key European ally and a stalemate in Islamabad.

14 Apr 2026 - 1:32PM

US Vice-President J.D. Vance in Islamabad for Iran talks on Saturday. Photo: AP

China trade

Hungary’s PM-elect Magyar sends warm overture to China, vows fair play for firms

Peter Magyar pledges reforms to restore transparency and fiscal stability as Hungary shifts from Viktor Orban’s investment model.

14 Apr 2026 - 12:37AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Why Beijing isn’t panicking over Hungarian PM Orban’s stunning election defeat

China’s substantial investments in the central European country point to bilateral cooperation that is mutually beneficial, analysts say.

13 Apr 2026 - 9:33PMvideocam

Viktor Orban

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:42AM

Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban concedes defeat in parliamentary elections to his rival, conservative Peter Magyar, a former government insider and political newcomer who has promised “system change”. Photo: AFP

China manufacturing

Chinese firms in Hungary face a post-election reckoning – no matter who wins

With opposition Tisza party leading in the polls, businesses ponder implications if Orban’s Fidesz party loses 16-year grip on power.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:57PM

People attend an election rally for Hungary’s governing Fidesz party in Debrecen on Thursday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says China helped get Iran to the negotiating table for ceasefire deal

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:28AMvideocam

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European Union

Vance visits Hungary to boost Orban re-election bid

Orban, a Eurosceptic nationalist in power since 2010, is facing the toughest re-election bid of his career, with polls indicating his party will lose.

8 Apr 2026 - 9:25AM

China-EU relations

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:40PMvideocam

Viktor Orban

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

6 Apr 2026 - 1:46PM

Ukraine war

Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

US redirects air defences and eases oil sanctions on Moscow, leaving Kyiv to face Russian assaults with dwindling resources.

26 Mar 2026 - 2:08PM

European Union

EU delays proposal to permanently ban Russian oil imports

The proposal is not cancelled, but would no longer be published by April 15 due to ‘current geopolitical developments’.

24 Mar 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia at the Hungarian MOL Group’s Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary. Photo: Reuters

Slovenia

Slovenia’s liberal PM claims win over conservatives in tight election

Prime Minister Robert Golob’s party has a slight edge over his Trump-aligned rival Janez Jansa.

23 Mar 2026 - 12:01PM

Prime Minister of Slovenia Robert Golob, middle, addresses the media at the parliament in Ljubljana on Sunday. Photo: AP

Ukraine war

EU leaders clash with Hungary’s Orban for blocking Ukraine loan

A vital US$103 billion lifeline is being held up by Budapest over a dispute involving a war-damaged oil pipeline.

20 Mar 2026 - 2:42PM

European Union

EU inspects Druzhba pipeline in bid to unclog Hungary’s block on Ukraine aid

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has vetoed giving Ukraine its promised US$103 billion EU loan until Russian oil supply is resumed.

19 Mar 2026 - 6:26PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Zelensky urges EU to bypass Hungarian veto on vital US$103 billion loan

Putin ally Viktor Orban has been blocking the loan, in part because of a closed pipeline supplying his country with Russian oil in Ukraine.

18 Mar 2026 - 10:35PM

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (right) receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the headquarters of the Spanish government on Wednesday. Photo: dpa

Electric & new energy vehicles

Top Chinese EV makers are selling more cars overseas than at home

Top EV makers such as BYD, Great Wall Motor and Chery are selling more cars in overseas markets than at home.

6 Mar 2026 - 3:29PM

Last month, BYD sold 100,600 units overseas, 53 per cent of its total. Photo: AFP

Russia

Russia may halt gas supplies to Europe amid Iran energy spike, Putin warns

The leader says the chaos triggered by the Iran crisis has led to the emergence of other buyers willing to pay top dollar for fuel.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:56AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine urges China to play ‘critical’ role for peace as war enters fifth year

Top Ukrainian envoy urges Beijing to ‘walk this last mile together’ on anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

24 Feb 2026 - 10:00PM

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