Hungary
Viktor Orban escalates crackdown on civil society and media with sweeping Russian-type foreign agents law legislation
Hungary's ruling Fidesz has unveiled a draft law that critics warn could cripple the country's remaining independent media outlets and civil society organisations, deepening fears over democratic backsliding and growing estrangement from the EU.
Central Europeans overwhelmingly oppose Trumpist narratives about free speech, 2025 Media Freedom Poll shows
Citizens of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia oppose the Trump administration’s narratives about free speech as allegedly not requiring the regulation of social media, with nearly 90% demanding that online platforms act against hate speech.
COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?
As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.
Hungary’s Richter expands US footprint with strategic investment in biopharma company
CEE’s leading pharma Richter Gedeon has acquired a "significant stake" and entered into a business development partnership with Granata Bio, a US-based company specialising in reproductive health.
Magyar Telekom to spin off mobile towers unit
Magyar Telekom will spin off its passive mobile infrastructure into a separate unit, the company announced on May 13. The transaction, pending approval by shareholders at the June 26 EGM, could be closed in the last quarter.
Hungary's annual vehicle output set to reach 1mn soon, Foreign Minister says at automotive conference
Ongoing projects in Hungary's vehicle sector will push annual output above 1mn cars and 2mn engines, and Hungary will have the world's second-largest EV battery production capacity, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.
Viktor Orban meets Bank of China chairman amid deepening financial ties with Beijing
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Bank of China chairman Ge Haijiao in Budapest on May 12. The talks focused on expanding the Chinese banking giant’s operations in the country, according to a brief government statement.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Orban backs away from far-right Romanian presidential candidate Simion
Hungarian PM Orban’s apparent support for ultranationalist politician George Simion sparked a backlash from Romania’s Hungarian minority.
COMMENT: Central Europe’s diverging economic paths challenge regional policy synchronisation – ING
The economic trajectories of Central and Eastern European countries are drifting apart, with growth, inflation, and policy direction showing increasing divergence.
War is a growing concern across Europe – Statista
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the formal end of World War II in Europe, reports Statista.
Former Hungarian PM Ferenc Gyurcsany, long-time adversary of Viktor Orban, quits politics
Ferenc Gyurcsany, Hungary's former PM and longtime figurehead of the Democratic Coalition, is stepping down from all political roles and retreating from public life, marking the end of a polarising two-decade career that shaped Hungarian politics.
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Hungary’s retail recovery slowed in March despite government intervention in food prices
Hungary’s retail sector lost some momentum in March, with sales volumes falling 0.5% from the previous month despite the government-introduced profit margin cap in effect from the middle of the month.
Investment plans of German-owned companies slump to post-crisis low
Hungary’s German business community is growing increasingly pessimistic, with corporate investment sentiment hitting its weakest level since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
Brussels refers Hungary to EU Court over release of human smugglers
The European Commission has referred Hungary to the European Court of Justice over its controversial policy of releasing convicted human smugglers from prison before they complete their sentence, citing violations of EU criminal law obligations.
COMMENT: The US doesn’t have the clout to split Hungary off from China
The US doesn't have the clout to even get countries as small as Hungary to cut their ties with China, says political commentator and bne IntelliNews columnist Arnaud Bertrand.
COMMENT: Trump’s tariff drive hits emerging markets as growth and inflation forecasts slide – Oxford Economics
President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies are already casting a long shadow over emerging market economies, with analysts cutting growth forecasts and warning of prolonged investment uncertainty and policy disruption.
EU allies prepared to back Moldova’s EU accession bid without Ukraine if Hungary’s veto not lifted
EU member states most supportive of Ukraine are ready to move forward with accession talks for Moldova without Ukraine, if Hungary continues to block progress for Kyiv.
UK insect numbers plummet by two thirds in three years, Bugs Matter survey shows
The population of flying insects in the United Kingdom has fallen by two thirds in just three years, according to new findings from a nationwide “Bugs Matter” citizen survey, raising alarm among ecologists and conservation groups.