‘Factory of lies’: what will Péter Magyar do about Hungary’s state media? Journalists brace for sweeping reforms after years of pro-government control under Viktor Orbán The Guardian - UK · May 6
Zelenskyy hails 'important step' as Hungary returns assets seized from Ukraine bank workers Ukraine's Oschadbank demanded the immediate return of cash and gold confiscated by Hungarian authorities in March, lawyers representing the bank in Hungary told Euronews. Euronews · May 6
'We had to fight a different kind of mafia,' Magyar says ahead of talks with Meloni The lack of information about what the leaders will discuss has led to speculation about how relations between Budapest and Rome might look after 16 years of Viktor Orbán's government. Euronews · May 6
Central Europe is a laboratory for political trends Letter: Dr Sean Hanley responds to an editorial on the collapse of social democratic parties as rightwing nationalism flourishes The Guardian - UK · May 4
Robert Fico will back Ukraine's EU membership after call, Zelenskyy says Zelenskyy said they had invited each other to meet. Slovakia's prime minister has backed Viktor Orbán's isolated line on Ukraine, though less fervently than the outgoing Hungarian leader. Euronews · May 2
Hungary's Péter Magyar defends appointing brother-in-law as country's justice minister Magyar campaigned on a promise to clean-up Hungarian politics and restore the checks and balances which had been gradually eroded by previous Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during his 16 years in power. Euronews · May 1
After Orbán's defeat, the EU faces tough questions about Ukraine's accession The imminent departure of Viktor Orbán is forcing EU leaders to confront uncomfortable questions about Ukraine's accession process that the Hungarian veto had, until now, kept unanswered. Euronews · May 1
Newsletter: Incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar in Brussels to unlock EU funds The incoming Hungarian leader is pressed for time as he seeks to unlock billions of euros in EU cash before an August deadline. Euronews · Apr 29
Magyar to meet von der Leyen as Hungary races to unlock EU cash Incoming Hungarian Prime Minister lands in Brussels for what is described as "informal, but urgent talks" with Commission chief von der Leyen. Budapest is facing a tight deadline to unlock EU funding choked during the Orbán era. Euronews · Apr 29
Ukraine war briefing: More woe for Russian oil as Tuapse refinery hit again Putin condemns drone attack; King Charles to US Congress – Ukrainians need your 9/11 spirit; acting US ambassador to leave Kyiv. What we know on day 1,526 The Guardian - AU · Apr 29
The Guardian view on the politics of central Europe: in search of a new left Editorial: Social democratic parties are suffering an almost total wipeout, as rightwing nationalism flourishes on the EU’s eastern flank The Guardian - UK · Apr 28
Hungary's incoming PM Péter Magyar offers to meet Ukraine's president in June Relations between the two neighbours hit rock bottom before Hungary's 12 April election that saw Magyar beat long-time nationalist premier Viktor Orbán. Euronews · Apr 28
EU enlargement is often deeply political – as Ukraine and Montenegro show The EU formally unblocked a €90 billion (£78 billion) loan for Ukraine on April 23 after Hungary and Slovakia dropped their opposition. This move came over a week after defeat in parliamentary elections brought the 16-year tenure of Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, to an end. He will be replaced… The Conversation · Apr 28
Media freedom ‘under sustained attack’ across EU as public trust drops, report finds Journalists face rising threats while media ownership is concentrated in fewer hands, leading civil liberties group warns The Guardian - UK · Apr 28
The Guardian - UK · Apr 27 Orbán may be gone, but his prejudices are now baked into the European political mainstream EU leaders have normalised once fringe racist narratives in their migration, border control and even foreign policies says Shada Islam, commentator on EU affairs
Euronews · Apr 27 Newsletter: EU leaders back US president after attack Also in this newsletter: On 40th Chernobyl disaster anniversary, Zelenskyy accuses Russia of committing 'nuclear terrorism.'
The Guardian - UK · Apr 26 Orbán associates rush to move wealth out of Hungary after election defeat Incoming PM Péter Magyar accuses Fidesz-linked figures of trying to shield their wealth from accountability
The Independent UK · Apr 25 Orbán steps back after a landslide loss, vowing to rebuild Hungary’s 'national side' Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will not take his seat in parliament after a landslide election loss
Euronews · Apr 24 European Council should 'think carefully' before removing unanimity, says Michel Former European Council President Charles Michel has told Euronews that some EU leaders “were hiding behind” Viktor Orbán, urging them to “fight against the abuse of veto rights”.
The Conversation · Apr 24 Orbán’s election loss frees up €90 billion for Kyiv but raises thorny question of EU membership for Ukraine As widely expected, the EU has unlocked the disbursement of its previously agreed €90 billion (£78 billion) loan to Ukraine.
Euronews · Apr 24 Orbán-style vetoes undermine EU democracy, Kaja Kallas tells Euronews hoping for reset “In this geopolitical world, we need to be credible — and for that we need to be united and able to take decisions,” High Representative Kaja Kallas told Euronews, as the bloc looks ahead to the post-Orbán era.
Reason · Apr 24 After Viktor Orbán's Defeat in Hungary, the 'New Right' Needs a New Foreign Despot To Admire Hungary is Europe's basket case, a nation that saw little economic progress under Orbán—as well as diminishing freedoms.
Euronews · Apr 24 Newsletter: At first summit without Orbán, Zelenskyy rejects 'symbolic' EU membership Also in this newsletter: EU approves €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary lifts controversial veto.
The Guardian - UK · Apr 24 Europe is in a profound state of crisis. Luckily, we know what to do We assembled a group of the continent’s leading thinkers to assess the threats: their warnings are stark, but the remedy is within reach, say Guardian Europe columnist Nathalie Tocci and author Anu Bradford
The Independent UK · Apr 23 Why the European Union's wartime loan is a vital lifeline for cash-strapped Ukraine Ukraine has secured a crucial European Union loan to support the country's wartime efforts