EC slashes Hungary's growth forecast to lowest in region, below tepid EU average

Hungary's economic recovery remains sluggish, with the country projected to significantly underperform its Central European neighbours in both growth and investment, according to the European Commission's spring forecast.

Viktor Orban makes huge political misstep in supporting Simion, Hungarian analyst says

The outcome has been a defeat for Viktor Orban as ethnic Hungarians overwhelmingly supported the pro-European candidate, Nicusor Dan.

Hungarian fertilser maker agrees with bondholders on extending €200mn debt

Hungary’s leading fertiliser maker Nitrogemuvek, owned by businessman Laszlo Bige, has reached an agreement with investors holding 75% of its €200mn bond package on a 60-day extension of the debt after the company missed a deadline last week.

BYD moves European HQ to Hungary, sets up €250mn business and development

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD will relocate its European headquarters from the Netherlands to Hungary as part of a newly signed strategic cooperation agreement with the Hungarian government on May 15.

Viktor Orban's "bullet shield" and long-time chief prosecutor leaves post to secure job at Constitutional Court

Peter Polt is stepping down as chief prosecutor after more than two decades in the role, three years before his mandate was due to end, to take up a seat on the Constitutional Court, an institution already stacked with figures loyal to Viktor Orban.

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.

Hungary's CPI falls to 4.2% in April as food price controls take effect

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.

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.