Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is in Budapest for the European Political Community summit, on Thursday paid a visit to the Hungarian-Ukrainian bilingual primary and secondary school in Csepel, in southern Budapest, accompanied by foreign ministry state secretary Levente Magyar.
Orbán and Zelensky agreed to set up Ukrainian schools in Hungary
Magyar told MTI after the visit that students had given a warm welcome to the Ukrainian president.
The school launched classes in September after Prime Minister Viktor Orbánand Zelenskyagreed during the summer on Hungary providing education to Ukrainian children in their mother tongue.
Zelensky-Orbán summit in Kyiv this summer. Source: FB/Orbán
Magyar said Ukrainian children staying in Hungary in the several thousands wanted to maintain relations with their culture and mother tongue, and the Budapest school offered just such an opportunity.
He added that Hungary was ready to open additional schools according to demand.
Photo: FB/Zelensky
Photo: FB/Zelensky
Photo: FB/Zelensky
Photo: FB/Zelensky
President Zelensky: Ceasefire not a solution
A ceasefire currently would not offer a solution in the Russian-Ukraine war as it would not guarantee the restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, President Volodymyr Zelensky said after the European Political Community summit in Budapest on Thursday.
Zelensky told a press conference that nobody knew what would follow a ceasefire, which would not automatically spell the end of the war.
“I respect the opinion of those European leaders who urge the quickest possible ceasefire, but current conditions do not allow for it.
We will have to assess with US president-elect Trump how he imagines ending the war quickly….” Zelensky added. In response to a question, Zelensky said the 300 billion dollars-worth of Russian assets frozen under the arrangements of the sanctions against Russia could be used to arm Ukraine and rebuild its industry. “Russian aggression so far has caused 800 billion dollars-worth of destruction,” he added.
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PM Viktor Orbán was ready to greet him, but Romanian President Klaus Iohannis decided to wait for 20 seconds, showing his back to the Hungarian prime minister. PM Orbán did not understand the rudeness but waited for the President patiently with a confused grin.
The outgoing Romanian President Klaus Iohannisacted quite strangely when he arrived in Budapest for the EPC summit on Thursday morning. PM Viktor Orbán would have greeted him just like all other country leaders, but Iohannis did something unexpected.
After getting out of his car, he did not establish eye contact with PM Orbán and did not walk to him. Instead, he showed his back to the Hungarian prime minister for 20 seconds, standing behind his car and seemingly rearranging his clothes.
PM Orbán grinned but remained patient. PrtScr/X Video/ SzabadonMagyarul/X
News emerged that the Hungarian police made Iohannis wait and circulate the Puskás Aréna, the venue of the summit, for 15 minutes, so the Romanian President became angry. The Romanian Antena3 news channel wrotethat the driver missed the correct stadium entrance. That is why he had to do another round for 15 minutes. Iohannis is well-known for his impatient nature. In 2015, when he first arrived in Paris, he simply threw his coat on the car when nobody took it from him immediately. Even the Romanian media was startled by his deed and called it a controversial, even unfriendly gesture.
Shaking hands a bit later. They still do not seem too happy. Photo: MTI
Later, the Hungarian police said such allegations were only fake news. According to hvg.hu, the police followed the protocol, and nobody missed the stadium entrance.
Congratulating Trump, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis wrote on X: “Romania is a strong and committed Strategic Ally of the US. Through our joint efforts, we will bring peace and prosperity for both our countries and beyond, defending our common interests”, Anadolu news agency wrote.
Romania reiterates support for Moldova amid election, referendum
European leaders reiterated their support Thursday for Moldova as that country concluded a presidential election and referendum that saw accusations of external influence, particularly by President Maia Sandu.
A statement by the Moldovan presidency said Sandu held talks with several of her EU counterparts on the sidelines of the fifth European Political Community summit in the Hungarian capital of Budapest.
“We, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, reiterate our firm support for the Republic of Moldova following the meeting with President Maia Sandu,” it said.
It said they congratulate Moldovans for their “commitment to democracy, freedom and the rule of law,” which they said was seen in the presidential election that ended with Sandu securing a second term following a runoff earlier this month.
The statement indicated that European leaders welcomed the result of the referendum, which was held simultaneously Oct. 20, which enshrined Moldova’s EU accession aspirations in the country’s Constitution.
Moscow challenges the outcome
“We stand in solidarity with the Republic of Moldova in its quest for peace, prosperity and stability and reaffirm its rightful place in a free and democratic Europe,” it said, indicating that it happened despite “unprecedented attacks and foreign interference.”
“We strongly condemn documented attempts to influence election results through information manipulation, corruption and vote-buying schemes,” it said, adding that they reaffirm their determination to support Moldova in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Sandu won more than 55% of the vote in a presidential runoff Nov. 3, securing a second term as incumbent president. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov challenged Sandu to provide evidence of the alleged interference.
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Europe’s peace, stability and prosperity are in danger, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the plenary session of European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest on Thursday.
Europe’s peace, stability, prosperity under threat
Europe’s peace, stability and prosperity are in danger, Prime Minister Viktor Orbánsaid at the plenary session of European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest on Thursday. “The situation Europe is in is difficult, complex and dangerous,” Orbán said. He noted that Russia’s war against Ukraine is in its third year and there was a threat of escalation in the conflict in the Middle East.
Photo: FB/Orbán
Meanwhile, north Africa is being destabilised by conflicts, and illegal migration was an “unending challenge” for Europe, he added. Orbán said that after the Cold War, the prospect of a re-emergence of geopolitical blocs was looming over the global economy, which called into question the foundations of the European model.
‘We must examine ways to return to peace in Europe’, says Orbán
The prime minister told a key summit of European leaders in Budapest on Thursday that “we must examine ways to return to peace in Europe.” In his opening address of the European Political Community (EPC) summit, Orbán underlined that the security challenges faced by Europe would be reviewed at the plenary session.
Photo: FB/Orbán
The questions to be discussed include “how to return to peace in Europe, how can Europe take greater responsibility for its own security and peace in the future, how can the continent be more successful in enforcing its own interests and how can the continent remain a decisive player at talks and in developments that will decide its future.”
These issues have become particularly relevant with the US presidential election just having taken place, he said, adding that “the future of our transatlantic relations is an indispensable component of the European security architecture.” The answers given now could decide Europe’s future for decades, Orbán said, adding that “we believe that together we can be stronger than on our own.”
Photo: FB/Orbán
Photo: FB/Orbán
Orbán and Scholz with Edi Rama in Budapest. Photo: FB/Orbán
Orbán calls for better cooperation on migration with countries of origin, transit
“Better practical cooperation is needed with the countries of origin and the transit countries in order to eliminate illegal migration and human smuggling networks,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told a plenary session of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest on Thursday.
The challenges related to migration, economic security and connectivity will be discussed in working groups after the plenary session, the prime minister said. Migration is included in the EPC summit’s agenda as a priority topic for the second time, he added. In order to achieve the development goals, the countries of origin and transit must be better supported, Orbán said.
President Zelennsky talking. Photo: FB/Orbán
“We have to decide whether we are ready to set up centres in safe third countries to process asylum applications and arrange for returns,” he said, adding that Thursday’s debate might be a step forward towards achieving tangible results. “I sense a new momentum in Europe in this regard,” the prime minister said.
A total of 47 heads of state and government and leaders of international organisations have been invited to the summit.
Hungary ‘important, valued NATO member’
Orbán had bilateral talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Budapest, the venue of the European Political Community summit, the PM’s press chief said in a statement on Thursday. At the meeting held to review cooperation between Hungary and NATO, it was agreed that Hungary “is an important and valued member” of the alliance, the statement said. Orbán and Rutte agreed to continue pursuing “intensive joint work”, the press chief said.
Hungarian prime minister discusses with former ECB head
Orbán on Thursday had a meeting with Mario Draghi, the one-time Italian premier and former president of the European Central Bank, who has arrived in Budapest at Orbán’s invitation, the PM’s press chief said in a statement.
On the meeting’s agenda was the EU’s competitiveness problems, in light of Draghi’s strategic assessment report on European competitiveness, the statement said. Draghi will also participate in the EU summit in Budapest on Friday, it added.
Zelensky talks about “peace through strength” in Budapest
“I addressed the European Political Community Summit in Budapest to emphasize that the concept of “peace through strength” has proven its realism and effectiveness more than once. Now, it is needed once more“, President Zelensky wrote on his Facebook after speaking to the EPC summit in Budapest. He also said that Ukraine would not accept concessions to Russian President Putin and such a move would be suicidal for Europe.Photo: FB/Orbán
Here’s his speech:
Hungarian public broadcaster: Zelensky’s speech at Budapest summit was not open to the press
Contrary to false charges by the left-liberal media that public media channel M1 stopped its live broadcast of the Budapest summit of the European Political Community when Volodymyr Zelensky began his speech, the fact is that the Ukrainian president’s speech was not open to the press, MTVA’s press and marketing office said in a statement on Thursday.Hungarian left-liberal news portals including hvg.hu, 444.hu, magyarnarancs.hu, klubradio.hu, mfor.hu and hang.hu misled the public, “as they have done many times in the past”, the Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund said in the statement.
After Prime Minister Viktor Orban officially opened the summit, the event was held behind closed doors and the organisers did not open the Ukrainian president’s speech for broadcast by M1 or any international media provider, it added.
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Fidesz strongman “sends home” US Ambassador Pressman “with his wife”, Pressman warns of PM Orbán’s “gambling problem” – details in THISarticle
Speaker of Parliament László Kövér met Wang Huning, the chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on Wednesday, the parliament’s press chief said.
Kövér and Wang discussed bilateral ties as well as international affairs, Zoltán Szilágyi said.
Kövér said the two countries had similar views of the “present and future of the world, and our relations are characterised by mutual respect and by not interfering with each other’s affairs.”
Hungary is striving to build a pragmatic relationship with the People’s Republic of China, and “does not wish to mix ideology with economic cooperation.” It is working to strengthen connectivity in the world, and “we picture our country as a meeting point of eastern and western capital in the future”, he said. “We do not support policies raising the spectre of an economic war and restricting cooperation between the EU and China.”
Photo: MTI
Hungary will remain a home for Chinese investments
“We aim to continue to offer a home for Chinese investments in Hungary, to further strengthen trade, and to increase Hungarian exports into China,” Kövér said.
Challenges such as climate change, the effect of pollution and mass illegal migration, which are hitting both countries “in a volatile and dangerous international situation”, can only be solved through joint effort, he said.
Wang said ties between the two countries had never been stronger, “and China greatly appreciates Hungary’s efforts to solve international conflicts too.” He praised the “multilayered cultural ties” between Hungary and China, adding that Hungary was home to 5 Confucius Institutes and a bilingual Hungarian-Chinese elementary and secondary school.
Hungary’s parliamentary delegation attended a gala marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries at the Chinese National Opera House, organised by Hungary’s embassy to Beijing.
Kövér: dynamic development in Hungarian-Chinese ties
Speaker of Parliament László Kövér left Beijing and paid a visit to Chongqing, parliament’s press office reported on Friday.
During his stay, Kövér met leaders of the 30-million city and visited the Hungarian-Chinese Technology Transfer Center, one of Hungary and China’s key Belt and Road projects. At the center, Kover was briefed on the Hungarian-Chinese Food Science Research Centre, co-founded by Hungary’s University of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Southwest University.The Hungarian delegation was also presented the plans for a research laboratory implemented in cooperation between Sanxia Hospital of Chongqing University and Nobel Prize winning physicist Ferenc Krausz, aimed at facilitiating application of the latest physical research in medicine. Kövér said cooperation with Chongqing was “a tangible example of the dynamic development in Hungarian-Chinese ties in the past ten years”, adding that the two countries were partners “despite distance, cultural differences, different political structures and different magnitudes”. He also added that Hungary could provide China with the advantages of innovation, technology, and shared experience. Later in the day, Kövér laid a wreath at a memorial to 19th century Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi and his wife in Chongqing’s Elin Park.
The Hungarian-Chinese Investor Roundtable (MKBKA) held its inaugural meeting at the end of October, the body told MTI on Thursday. The MKBKA is a body of independent experts established to support the achievement of goals in the Belt and Road Initiative intergovernmental strategic cooperation agreement through recommendations and consultation. The roundtable will also contribute to the preparation and implementation of bilateral projects.
The MKBKA aims to enhance Hungary and China’s broad strategic partnership and advance cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, agriculture, investments, transportation, education, science, technology, healthcare, sport, culture and tourism. Members of the MKBKA include the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKIK), the Hungarian Association of Industrial Parks, the China Trade Information Center and the Eurasia Centre of Neumann Janos University.
The members elected Tamás Janzsó, the head of the Hungarian Association of Industrial Parks, to lead the roundtable. Members also decided to open an office in China, set up a portal for preparing projects and create databases of investment locations and suppliers. A Eurasia Club will be established for networking.
Brussels must rethink pro-war strategy in wake of Trump victory, says Fidesz
Brussels must rethink its pro-war strategy in the wake of the victory of Donald Trump at the US presidential election, András László, an MEP of ruling Fidesz said on Wednesday.
László said “Trump’s victory came as a shock” for Brussels, adding that the EU had “expected an extended period of support for Ukraine, with US help, but if Trump keeps his promise and tries to quickly end the war in Ukraine, it means that the pro-war strategy must be re-thought in Brussels.”
He added that “in that case practically everything will have to be handled from the EU budget and defence industry, which will create an entirely new situation”.
Meanwhile, László said that Trump had also urged NATO member states to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defence spending, in line with NATO directives, during his first term. Trump warned the member states not to rely on the alliance “just because its article 5 ensures protection from the US in the case of an attack,” László added.
Trump had expected the member states already at that time to shoulder their share in NATO activities, he said.
László added that Hungary had announced large military and defence investments years ago in order to carry out the modernisation of the army which is still under way.
Featured image: László Kövér in the Hungarian Parliament
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Hungary has always supported the European Union’s enlargement and “now, as the president of the EU Council, it is again stating that after many years of waiting, Serbia must join the EU”, Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in Belgrade on Wednesday, after meeting his Serbian counterpart.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky told a joint press conference with Bratislav Gašić that they had discussed the peace and security of the Western Balkans, and the war under way in the neighbourhood. Hungary’s position remains that an immediate ceasefire is needed, the only solution is through diplomacy, and peace talks should be started as soon as possible, he said.
He said that at a joint meeting of the Hungarian and Serbian governments last year, the respective defence ministries signed a strategic agreement, followed by concrete steps to bring the deal to fruition, as defence and security had always been important areas of cooperation between the two countries. He added that he and Gašić had discussed cooperation opportunities in defence, defence industry, and military, including military health. The frequent, high-level meetings between the two countries demonstrate that a golden age of Hungary-Serbia relations is under way, he said.
Photo: FB/Hungarian defence minister
Szalay-Bobrovniczky told Hungary’s public media that Serbia and Hungary were strategic partners and Serbia’s stability was important for Hungary, “also in a military sense, the region should be reliable and calm”. The Western Balkans is the most arena of the Hungarian military force’s foreign presence, he said. “For years, we have been represented with significant force in NATO’s largest land mission dubbed KFOR, and also in EUFOR Althea, which is the pledge of EU and partly NATO presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It currently has a Hungarian commander,” he said.
Gašić also highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation between the two ministries.
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What can PM Orbán and Hungary gain from Trump’s victory? – details in THISarticle
Ambassador David Pressman arrived in Hungary in 2022, and clashes between him and the Orbán-led Hungarian government have become permanent. Following Trump’s victory, government-close influencers and strongmen wrote that he should go home. One even said he should take his influencers, Ursula von der Leyen and his unnamed “wife”, as well. Pressman held a reception on Wednesday at the US Embassy in Budapest to celebrate democracy, in his words. He also criticised the Orbán cabinet, saying they gambled the US-Hungary relationship during this election. And the consequences are severe.
Fidesz strongman says Pressman should take home his “cute little wife” with von der Leyen
Zsolt Bayer, the owner of party membership card No. 5 in PM Orbán’s Fidesz party, titledhis article in government-close Magyar Nemzet, “Pressman, go home!” He wrote about the deep state, woke, cancel culture, and LGBTQ, claiming that the American deep state tried to interfere in Hungary’s domestic policies with the help of Pressman. Bayer called the ambassador a viceroy and said the USA would return to the path of normalcy following Trump’s victory.
Bayer also said Pressman should take his influencers, press, von der Leyen and his “cute little wife”. “It’s over!”, he concluded.
Ambassador Pressman (c). Photo: FB/Embassy of the USA
Hungary suffers from PM Orbán’s gambling problem
Yesterday evening, the American ambassador invited the Hungarian press to the Embassy of the United States “to celebrate democracy”. He said he does not do politics and will never comment on partisan politics.
He reminded the participants that they sat in a room where 35 years before President George H.W. Bush had met with young Viktor Orbán hoping for a partnership between the two countries. “It was the promise of democracy that brought our leaders together on that evening, and we gather again in this room tonight to celebrate democracy”.
Photo: DNH, Alpár Kató
Concerning the presidential election, he slammed PM Orbán for gambling “with the U.S.-Hungary relationship. A relationship that has been altered by his gamesmanship. The damage caused runs deeper than a four-year term of a President, because it is rooted in an impulse to transform something big and lasting, a relationship between Allies – between strong nations – into something smaller and fleeting.” Later, he added what Orbán did was “gambling with the alliance that secures your safety, like a stack of chips in a game of poker”. He highlighted that Hungary’s allies saw that gambling and added Hungary must swallow somehow the cost of that gambling. “Gambling with our alliance, in the long run, will always be a losing proposition”, he said.
Trump won – Orbán won. But will Hungary win? And what could have happened if Trump had lost? Source: Facebook / Orbán Viktor
U.S.-Hungary relationship will not be the same
Pressman underscored that no alliances can last for long because gambling will deteriorate trust between the nations, and that kills longstanding commitments.
He also said that the American elections will not change Hungary. “I know American elections matter beyond our borders, but they do not determine your destiny – you do”, he concluded.
Photo: DNH, Alpár Kató
The Hungarian government keeps repeating that the economic problems Hungary faces are caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine and the emerging blocks in world trade and politics. Since Trump promised solutions, they suggested that our problems could be solved if Trump won. For example, the Orbán cabinet always submitted and accepted the country’s next budget before June (the 2024 budget was accepted in May 2023). This year was the only exception when Orbán said they would only discuss the budget in November because they wanted to wait for the outcome of the American presidential elections.
Pressman giving an interview to Euronews and government-close Hír TV. He slammed the latter in his speech, too. Photo: FB/Embassy of the USA
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Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians live in Slovakia, a former territory of the Kingdom of Hungary, despite the numerous initiatives and legislation milestones that aimed to accelerate their assimilation. A new bill leaked by a Hungarian media outlet in Slovakia would ban Hungarian language use in Slovakia on trains and postal offices. Such a measure would be a considerable setback concerning minority rights in the EU member state.
Slovak government members made promises before
Napunk.sk, a Hungarian media outlet in Slovakia, acquired a draft of a Slovak language use bill made by the Slovak Cultural Ministry. The initiative would restrict Hungarian language use in the country.
According to Napunk, Martina Šimkovičová, the cultural minister of Slovakia nominated by the Slovak far-right nationalist SNS party, would introduce additional restrictions concerning minority language use in Slovakia. News about the planned modifications first emerged in October. Šimkovičová said the amendments would not have an anti-minority effect, so minorities should not be concerned because of the initiative.
Photo: FB/Orbán
Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó also shareda statement then that his Slovak counterpart, Juraj Blanár, assured him that the new bill would not affect the language use of the minorities. The reason for and the aim of these new language regulations does not affect the representation and use of minority languages in any way, Blanár told Szijjártó in October. “So this thinking didn’t start because of the minority languages and isn’t aimed against them”, he added.
New language law would ban Hungarian language use on trains, buses, post offices
However, the document Napunk acquired contradicts both Šimkovičová’s and Blanár’s statements.
The worst part is that individuals and companies could be fined for breaching the law, and the minimum fine would be increased 20-fold. János Fiala-Butora, a human rights expert, said the bill is something experts warned the Slovak government against.
PM Orbán and PM Fico in Budapest in January. Photo: FB/Orbán
The bill prescribes that all memorial plaques, inscriptions, and ads should contain the Slovakian version with bigger letters in the first place. There was no such measure before. In Hungarian settlements, the name of the settlement was written in Hungarian in the first place.
Furthermore, you will not be able to use Hungarian in post offices and public transport. Instead, Slovak will be compulsory.
Higher fines and a setback
The new bill would increase the language use fines drastically. In the case of companies, the lowest limit of the penalty will be EUR 1,000, instead of EUR 50. The maximum would rise from EUR 2,500 to EUR 15,000.
Mr Fiala-Butora believes the modification would be a setback to the 1990s and it even has measures more severe than the 1995 language use law introduced by the Mečiar government, a cabinet that was dedicated to being anti-Hungarian.
Photo: FB/Orbán
Photo: FB/Orbán
Szijjártó hoped for the best
FM Szijjártó said in October that the Hungarian government monitored the possible amendments to the Slovak language law and expects no setbacks concerning minority rights. He also said they started professional consultations on it.
“… usually it’s not the goals but rather the execution that determines the outcome, so we agreed to continue consulting as the bill progresses so as to avoid an aspect in the law that could have a negative effect on the use of the Hungarian language”, Szijjártó saidthen. He noted that Slovakia’s government has an ethnic Hungarian minority commissioner, Ákos Horony, who is in constant talks with the culture ministry, which is in charge of the bill.
Szijjártó highlighted there was a mutual trust between the Hungarian and the new Slovak government led by Orbán’s new European ally, Robert Fico.
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Bear crossesthe Danube from Slovakia, now feared in Hungary
The Directorate of Communications organised a roundtable meeting titled “Countering Disinformation in Europe: Building a Resilient and Secure Future” in Budapest, Hungary, on 5 November 2024.
The Directorate of Communications continues to emphasise the significance of international collaboration and solidarity in countering disinformation, reaching foreign audiences through its activities in major global centres.
The meeting, which was attended by representatives from Hungary’s outstanding think tanks, members of the press, academics from Türkiye and Hungary, and members of the diplomatic corps, addressed a wide range of topics. These included the dynamics of disinformation dissemination, its consequences and strategies for prevention, tools to prevent disinformation, its impact on national and global security, and media literacy and verification processes from a variety of perspectives.
Photo: Embassy of Türkiye in Hungary
The roundtable, held ahead of the European Political Community’s fifth meeting on November 7, 2024, noted that disinformation spreads quickly beyond national borders and emphasised the importance of international solidarity in achieving global peace, security, and political and economic stability.
In his video message to the meeting, the Presidency’s Head of Communications, Prof. Fahrettin Altun, emphasised the dangers and risks associated with disinformation, along with its distorting impact on people’s access to the truth. Head of Communications Altun highlighted the importance of addressing disinformation for the effective operation of democratic processes, the preservation of international security and stability, and peace for societies.
Photo: Embassy of Türkiye in Hungary
In her opening remarks, Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Hungary, emphasised that disinformation represents a global challenge extending beyond Türkiye and Hungary. Ambassador Ekşioğlu also emphasised the importance of collaboration between Türkiye and Hungary in combating disinformation and enhancing their capabilities in this area.
Following the opening addresses, attendees engaged in a discussion about the crisis situations arising from disinformation and the potential for international collaboration to address this issue. The necessity of closer ties between Hungary and Türkiye was highlighted in this regard.
Photo: Embassy of Türkiye in Hungary
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In the first presidential term of President Trump, he did not know who Orbán was, even though he was the Hungarian prime minister, the first leader who endorsed him after announcing his candidacy. Times changed. Trump regularly praised Orbán’s policies in his speeches and interviews before the election. Thus, Orbán can expect probably the best American-Hungarian relations in history. Is that a realistic expectation? Will he receive support from Washington, or will Trump slam his China policies? What about the Republicans who see Orbán as a national security threat?
We wrote in THISarticle that PM Orbánmight become a policymaker in the United States thanks to his close relationship with President-elect Donald Trump. Based on informants of Szabad Európa, Trump is the kind of person who gives great value to personal relationships, and since Orbán always told him what he wanted to hear, their nexus is probably the best in history if we take just US presidents and Hungarian prime ministers.
Will Orbán be as popular in the USA as Kossuth was?
The only exception may be Lajos Kossuth, immensely popular as a freedom fighter and an advocate of civil rights in the USA after the Russian-Habsburg oppression of the 1848-1849 freedom fight. Kossuth spent almost a year in the USA popularising the Hungarian cause, average Americans welcomed him as a hero and even President Lincoln allegedly took one of his most well-known messages in his famous Gettysburg Address from Kossuth.
Orbán and Trump in 2019. Trump did not know Orbán then. Photo: Facebook.com/orbanviktor
Kossuth said in 1852 that “the spirit of our age is Democracy. All for the people, and all by the people. Nothing about the people without the people – That is Democracy!”. Lincoln toldpeople after the Battle of Gettysburg that “these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Trump’s relationship with Orbán may be in another universe
Historians note that President George H. W. Bush regularly asked the opinion of the first democratically-elected Hungarian prime minister, József Antall, about Central and Eastern European issues. However, PM Orbán probably hopes for more concerning the new Trump era.
According to Szabad Európa, the Trumpist wing of the Republican Party considers Orbán a hero because of the Hungarian government’s “anti-woke”, “anti-gender” and “pro-family” policies. The leader of an American Republican think tank said there was a religious, right-wing voter group, the new rightists, who regard anti-gender and anti-LGBTQ policies as the most important. Trump and other Republican leaders established good connections with Orbán because of the Hungarian prime minister’s efficient struggles on the issue.
A fan at Tusványos Summer University in Transylvania. Photo: Facebook/Viktor Orbán
A government-close think tank’s employee told Szabad Európa that the Hungarian government’s family policy was in one package with being “anti-woke”, and anti-LGBTQ, just like strengthening the Christian middle class. Therefore, it was attractive for Trump and VP candidate Vance.
Orbán tried to incorporate Hungarian experts and companies into the Trump team. A former Hungarian diplomat stationed in Washington confirmed there might be people paid by the Hungarian government who work for Trump-close think tanks. One of them is the KÓD Market Research Institute. KÓD plays an important role in Hungary as a subcontractor.
Some Republican strongmen see Orbán as a national security threat
A Republican Senate official, on the other hand, told Szabad Európa that Republican officials travelling, and giving addresses in Hungary did not get a full view of the Hungarian government’s policies. They only learned about anti-LGBTQ but were not told what the Orbán cabinet stands for e.g. concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Vance is also a fan of Orbán. Will he remain one in office? Photo: FB/JD Vance
Furthermore, what the Hungarian government does concerning taxes or the economy is the exact opposite of what Republicans believe should be done. Therefore, cooperation in policies is unimaginable. Zsuzsanna Végh, an analyst of the German Marshall Fund, believes Orbán can serve as an example for Trump of how a democratically-elected leader can reduce checks and balances and the rule of law and create an illiberal state while remaining a member of the democratic world.
What is important for Orbán?
Szabad Európa learned that most experts believe the Hungarian government does not want more than “positive silence” concerning the Hungarian-American relationships. They want the White House to let them do what they did before. That means the Orbán cabinet will not struggle to sign a new double taxation treatyor help Hungarian citizens born abroad to get US visas.
Végh said Orbán’s importance will increase in the EU thanks to Trump’s victory, but there are many conflicts of interest between the Trump-led USA and Hungary. One of the most important is the relationship with China.
China will be a red flag for the new US administration. Photo: FB/Orbán
Some Republicans believe Orbán is a national security threat due to his Russian, and Chinese relations
The Orbán cabinet regularly argues that Hungary, as a commercially open and small country short in capital, constantly needs foreign investments. Therefore, they trade with everybody, thus remaining “economically neutral”. That is why some Republicans regard Orbán as a national security threat.
Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell slammed the Hungarian government’s close economic relationships with China and Hungary’s closeness with Iran. Furthermore, he believes Orbán helps Moscow by baulking EU and Transatlantic initiatives against Russia’s illegal aggression in Ukraine.
McConnell added that Trump was charmed by Orbán, but he and his supporters are in a minority in the Republican party, and serious people are not concerned with Orbán. He said Russians and the Chinese use Hungary as a backdoor to infiltrate the USA. He said nobody wanted to anger Trump by criticising Orbán, but they do not believe in the Hungarian prime minister.
China, Ukraine, Russia
A senior employee of a Trump-close think tank said the USA needed a stabilised Europe with a free Ukraine to turn their full attention to China. But Hungary’s China policies are problematic, and the Trump administration will raise that question soon.
A Hungarian diplomat answering Szabad Európa’s questions said Hungary should reduce its relationship with China to a pragmatic level, but that needs a well-prepared professional team, which Orbán lacks. He said the Orbán cabinet should, without promoting it, convince Trump that Hungary needs Chinese investments. It is a major question whether the Hungarian government will be able to achieve that goal in the next few years.
UPDATE: Hungarian opposition parties’ reactions
Hungary’s opposition parties have responded to Republican nominee Donald Trump’s victory at the US presidential election. László Toroczkai, the leader of the Our Homeland (Mi Hazánk) party, congratulated Trump on X, and called on sitting Hungarian
Ambassador David Pressmann to “pack his bags”.
Jobbik congratulated Trump on Facebook, saying they trusted that after his inauguration, the Russia-Ukraine war would be ended swiftly “as he promised”, and the conflict in the Middle East would be swiftly resolved.
Deputy party leader Koloman Brenner said in a statement that “Trump’s election could lead to even stricter economic and political measures in the US’s China policy, which would affect the whole of Europe”. “Trump’s victory could bring gestures in US-Hungarian relations, but they are not expected to be anything but superficial. Diplomatic relations have reached rock bottom … and that will hinder Hungary in pursuing an independent foreign policy focusing on our own interests,” Brenner said.
Momentum leader Márton Tompos said Trump’s economic and political goals were the contrary to Hungary’s interests. “The plans he has floated could rock world trade and he is expected to sharpen conflicts rather than smoothing them,” he said, calling on Europe to take steps to “resolve Ukraine’s situation … as it will be the main player to shoulder that responsibility in the future”.
Tisza leader Péter Magyar congratulated Trump in a statement, saying: “America has decided. We congratulate President Trump and the members of the Senate and Congress!” The US is one of Hungary’s most important allies and economic partners, he said. “The Tisza party is ready to cooperate with the new administration and to further develop ties between our countries.”
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The background of the Trump-Orbán bromance: the Hungarian prime minister says what he wants to hear – read more HERE
A new European strategy will be needed in connection with Ukraine, the Hungarian prime minister said in his address at the summit of the Organisation of Turkic States held in Bishkek on Wednesday morning, after a Republican victory in the US presidential election.
The Republican victory will “put the question on the table for us European leaders” whether Europe was alone capable to continue providing military and financial support to Ukraine.
“I have serious doubts in that regard, this is why a new European strategy will be needed,” Orbánsaid, adding that the upcoming summit of European leaders in Budapest on Thursday could serve as a platform for taking the first steps.
PM Orbán’s arrival. Photo: FB/Orbán
The summit will bring together 47 heads of state and government in the biggest-ever diplomatic event in Hungary’s history, the prime minister said.
The most difficult question on the agenda will be the future of the 50 billion euro EU-US loan package earmarked for Ukraine under an earlier decision by the G7, he said.
Photo: FB/Orbán
Massive pro-war majority in the EU
Concerning the economy, Orbán said that Hungary’s trade turnover with Turkic countries had exceeded 5 billion dollars for the first time last year, adding that in 2023 over 5,000 students from those countries had applied for scholarships at Hungarian universities.
The prime minister said Hungary had started implementing its commitment of contributing 100 million dollars to the Turkic Investment Fund, and said “we hope that we will welcome investments by many Turkic companies and we will contribute to your economic growth in an increasingly large share.”
Referring to the latest summit of the organisation, Orbán noted the decision made on setting up a draught prevention institute at OTS’s European centre in Budapest to find solutions to environmental challenges. He said the new institute had already launched its first major programme aimed at establishing a Hungarian, Kyrgyz and Uzbek university cooperation in the area of the Fergana Valley’s forestation.
Concerning Europe and the debate about the war in Ukraine, Orbán said “there continues to be a massive pro-war majority in the European Union” despite military experts seeing a defeat of the European strategy on the battlefield. Hungary took over the EU presidency in July “and I launched a peace mission and I am grateful to Mr President Erdogan for supporting my efforts.” As a result of those efforts “discussion has started on ways to replace the war strategy with a peace strategy,” he added.
Orbán noted that the new European Commission was set to be formed on December 1, but said “I think we cannot expect meaningful change in Brussels’ approach towards the Turkic world … we need to prepare for a continued, distanced position.” He said, however, that he advocated a pro-active policy concerning the EU and “delegate all important issues to Brussels”. The Hungarian government will promote those issues at European political and economic forums and will “support all initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Turkic world and Europe,” he said.
Pointing to the EU’s declining competitiveness, Orbán said the Hungarian EU presidency had prepared a competitiveness pact, adding that European leaders would discuss and possibly adopt the draft in Budapest on Thursday. The economic measures proposed in the draft could give a massive boost to the European economy, he said, adding that “I hope we will succeed”.
Concluding his address, Orbán said members of the audience were welcome to attend OTS’s next informal meeting set for Budapest in the first half of next year.
Orbán meets Uzbek president
Orbán met Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the president of Uzbekistan, for talks ahead of a summit of the Organisation of Turkic States in Bishkek, his press chief told MTI on Wednesday.At their talks, the two leaders highlighted a “spectacular development” of bilateral relations in recent years, and noted the two countries’ signing a strategic partnership agreement in 2021, Bertalan Havasi said. Energy cooperation now covers a number of areas and Uzbekistan seeks to join the Green Energy Corridor project, a scheme crucial for Hungary’s energy security, Havasi added. The talks also touched upon cooperation in water management, transport, and education, as well as topical international issues.
Orbán receives Turkic States Organisation’s highest award
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has received this year’s Supreme Order of Turkic World at a summit of the Organisation of Turkic States in Bishkek, his press chief told MTI on Wednesday.
The honour was presented to Orbán by Sadyr Zhaparov, the president of Kyrgyzstan, Bertalan Havasi said. It is awarded to outstanding leaders for their significant contribution to strengthening unity and cooperation among Turkic states and for nurturing their common cultural heritage. The Hungarian prime minister was given the honour “in recognition of his outstanding efforts towards strengthening ties between Hungary and the Turkic states and enhancing cooperation within the Turkic world”. Accepting the honour, Orbán called it an important goal to maintain “a live connection” between Hungary and the Turkic world.Photo: FB/Orbán
Informal Organisation of Turkic States summit to be held in Budapest
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó addressed a meeting of the council of foreign ministers of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) in Bishkek on Wednesday. Szijjártó said annual trade between Hungary and OTS member states had climbed over EUR 5bn, rising 20pc in a year and by 350pc over 15 years.
He noted that Hungary had started building ties with OTS members close to 15 years earlier and had gained observer status in the OTS six years ago.
Szijjártó said energy cooperation with OTS members had boosted Hungary’s energy security, pointing to gas deliveries from Turkiye and Azerbaijan, as well as the start of production at a Kazakh gas field by Hungarian oil and gas company MOL.
Hungary has started the transfer of USD 100m pledged for the Turkic Investment Fund, while the OTS Drought Prevention Institute in Budapest has launched its first project, he added. He said more than 5,000 students from OTS members had applied for the 1,040 scholarships Hungary offers each year to enroll at local universities.
Hungary will host an informal OTS summit in Budapest next year,
he added.
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Based on the latest poll shared by Medián, the opposition Tisza Party is ahead of PM Orbán’s Fidesz. However, they have decided not to field candidates in Hungary’s interim elections, party leader Péter Magyar said on Facebook on Wednesday.
According to the latest poll of Medián, the supporters of Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party won a majority in Hungary. Concerning the total number of eligible voters, Tisza gained 34% support, while Orbán’s Fidesz stands in second place with 32%. Additionally, only Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland), a Hungarian far-right party, could get parliamentary seats if the elections were held this Sunday.
Concerning those having a party preference, Tisza’s lead is even more significant with 43% against 39%. Finally, in the group of voters who promise to participate in the upcoming elections, Tisza garnered 46%, while Fidesz gained only 39% in the latest poll.
PM Viktor Orbán has not been defeated since the 2006 general elections. Furthermore, his Fidesz party has not fallen behind any parties in the polls since summer 2006.
23 October commemoration, demonstration of the Tisza Party in Budapest. Photo: MTI/Balogh Zoltán
Magyar’s Tisza not participating in interim elections
In his post, Magyarsaid “the government’s continuous rule by decree has rendered parliament’s role negligible, without any meaningful control by deputies over government decisions.” He said Tisza’s possible winning a mandate would not eliminate ruling Fidesz’s two-thirds majority in parliament, and a single Tisza representative “would not have any powers” in the assembly.
During the period of “hardly more than one year” before the next general election in Hungary “Tisza will not assist to a puppet show staged by Fidesz and the parliamentary opposition, which no longer has tangible support,” Magyar said.
He added that his party would focus on the 2026 spring election, enjoying the “backing of millions of Hungarians”.
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Hungarian Tisza Party announcesopen selection process for officials amid economic critique
The Hungarian forint is at a 2-year low against the American dollar following Donald Trump’s decisive victory. All regional currencies are struggling because the strong dollar is bad news for emerging currencies like the Czech koruna or the Polish zloty. Meanwhile, PM Viktor Orbán, who established a strong relationship with Trump in the past few years, congratulated the newly-elected President and talked about a “spectacular victory” and “the greatest comeback in Western political history”. FM Szijjártó expressed hopes towards a ‘top shape’ cooperation with America again.
Trump’s victory did not help the forint. The American dollar is at a 2-year-high against the Hungarian national currency and all emerging currencies are struggling in the region. The USD was at a historic peak against the forint on 8 October 2022 because of the economic difficulties following the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine.
The euro is also at a 22-month peak against the forint. The last time the EU currency was stronger was in December 2022 with 418. The exchange rate is now at 410/EUR but it was 412 earlier today.
Photo: FB/Orbán
PM Orbán congratulates, talks about “spectacular victory”
Prime Minister Viktor Orbáncommented on the US presidential election on Wednesday and said “I see a spectacular victory, perhaps the greatest comeback in Western political history, a huge fight”. Speaking about Donald Trump, Orbán said that the Republican politician had first faced prison and a confiscation of his assets. He later faced an assassination attempt while “the whole media world of the US turned against him”, Orbán said, adding that “he has still won.”
He said it gave a great encouragement to everyone “who believes in will, struggle and perseverance, and a hope for peace for the world.”
It was hoped early this year that pro-peace forces would become a majority in the Western world by the end of the year and would defeat the pro-war camp, the prime minister said, adding that “there is now a great chance” to achieve that. He expressed hope for the economy to gain heat and for US-Hungary relations “to return to their golden era.”
Photo: Facebook/Orbán Balázs
“We have a number of plans that we can carry out together with President Donald Trump in the coming years,” Orbán said in a video published on Facebook. Interestingly, Orbán was addressed as President in the Reels video.
US-Hungary cooperation can get into a top shape
“The decision of American voters gives us good hopes that political cooperation between the United States and Hungary could again get into a top shape,” the foreign minister said on Facebook on Wednesday morning.
Péter Szijjártó highlighted that bilateral political relations had been at their peak during the first presidency of Donald Trump, when “dialogue and talks were in the focus of efforts aimed at resolving conflicts that jeopardised global security”. “We have similar positions concerning peace, illegal immigration and the protection of the family,” the minister said.
“We have the best ever chance so far for peace to return to Ukraine after almost a thousand days,” he added.
‘This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again,’ Trump says
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump early Wednesday thanked Americans for the apparent “honor of being elected” to the nation’s highest office, Anadolu news agency wrote.
“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president,” Trump told supporters in Palm Beach, Florida, referring to his earlier term in office, in 2017-2021, before Joe Biden won four years as the 46th US president.
According to Fox News projections, Trump ensured victory after defeating his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s presidential election.
“This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again,” Trump added.
Pledging to fight for every citizen, he said: “We’re going to help our country heal.”
The win would make Trump only the second US president to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland, who served two separate terms in the late 1800s, with President Benjamin Harrison in between.
‘America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate’
Winning the vote was “very nice,” said Trump.
“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate. We have taken back control of the Senate,” he added.
Turning to border security, an issue he pressed on the campaign trail, he promised to “fix” the borders.
“We’re gonna have to seal up those borders … We want people to come back in, but we have to let them come back in, but they have to come in legally,” Trump said.
Stressing security, he said: “We want to have security. We want to have things be good safe … We want a strong and powerful military, and ideally we don’t have to use it.”
Trump says he is ‘working to stop wars,’ not start them
During his first term, the US had no wars for four years, except for the defeat of terrorist group Daesh/ISIS, Trump said.
“We defeated ISIS in record time but we had no wars. They said: ‘He will start a war.’ I’m not going to start (one), (I’m) working to stop wars. But this is also a massive victory for democracy and for freedom,” he added.
Stressing that being the US president is “the most important job” in the world, Trump claimed that he had a “great” first term.
“Nothing will stop me from keeping my word to you, the people. We will make America safe, strong, prosperous, powerful and free again.
“And I’m asking every citizen all across our land to join me in this noble and righteous endeavor. That’s what it is. It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It’s time to unite.”
Trump’s address saw the attendance of family members, allies, and close advisers, including tech billionaire Elon Musk.
“We have a new star. A star is born,” he said, referring to Musk, who endorsed Trump and is expected to play a role in his administration.
Separately, his running mate JD Vance thanked Trump for the trust he placed in him.
“I think that we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America,” Vance said in a short address to supporters.
Read also:
PM Orbán and Hungary may become a policymaker in the USA if Trump wins: the background of their bromance – read more HERE
Hungary highly values Kyrgyzstan for its endeavours to promote global security, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a statement after meeting the Kyrgyz president on Tuesday.
Orbán praised Kyrgyzstan’s dependable action against terrorist organisations and its pro-peace position. The prime minister said Hungary generally thrived in times of peace and was glad that Kyrgyzstan was “also on the side of peace.”
He said that Hungary, as an EU member, was helping Kyrgyzstan in European political forums to ensure the broadest possible cooperation with the bloc. He noted that bilateral relations have been raised to the level of a strategic partnership. Accordingly, two-way trade is set to double this year, he added.
At their last meeting, the Kyrgyz president said bilateral cooperation should focus on hydropower and agriculture, Orbán said, noting that a Hungarian-Kyrgyz investment fund has been set up to finance the building of a hydroelectric power plant and farm initiatives. Hungarian agricultural and food companies are now present in the country “with good results”, he said.
Orbán visits Kyrgyzstan. Photo: MTI
Meanwhile, Orbán assured the Kyrgyz president that Hungary would support the Kyrgyz initiative to protect mountain culture and way of life at the upcoming Coptic summit in Baku.
Also, 200 Kyrgyz students are studying with a scholarship in Hungary, and Hungary was ready to receive even more students in light of the strong demand.
Orbán said he had expressed his gratitude that Hungarian can now be studied in Kyrgyzstan.
Orbán noted that Hungary joined the Turkic Council in Kyrgyzstan six years ago and has since become a political member of that community. In 2025, an informal Turkish Council meeting will be held in Budapest.
Orbán said Hungarians were the only people from the East that migrated to the West and planted roots here, but they had not forgotten their origins, and always treated the Turkic peoples, including the Kyrgyz, with “friendly and fraternal feelings”.
Orbán visits Kyrgyzstan. Photo: MTI
During his official visit, Orbán and high-level Kyrgyz officials are scheduled to sign several agreements to advance bilateral cooperation, the PM’s press chief said earlier.
Orbán will also participate in a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Organisation of Turkic States held in Biskek on Wednesday.
Hungary, Kyrgyzstan to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation
Hungary and Kyrgyzstan plan to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation, which has been raised to the level of confirmed strategic partnership, the foreign minister said in Bishkek on Tuesday.
The ministry cited Péter Szijjártó saying that the relevant agreement was signed earlier in the day. Agreements on air transport, customs and justice affairs, as well as higher education scholarships were also signed, he added.
“All this goes to show that Hungary-Kyrgyz cooperation covers an especially broad area,” he said.
Szijjártó said that economic cooperation was a priority and he welcomed record-high bilateral trade last year, which has doubled this year.
“This clearly shows that both Hungarian and Kyrgyz economic players greatly profit from this cooperation,” he said.
He added that work was under way to further develop cooperation in agriculture and food production. Following successful cooperation in the area of maize seeds, he said, chances are high that honey and lamb from Kyrgyzstan will reach European Union markets through Hungarian trading companies.
“We are setting up a Hungarian seed plant here, and a hydropower plant is being built under the arrangements of cooperation between Hungarian and Kyrgyz companies,” he said.
Szijjártó also said that Hungary is popular among Kyrgyz university students, and 200 of them will get a chance to study at Hungarian universities with a scholarship. More than 600 applications have been submitted for these places, mostly in medical and engineering faculties, he said.
“We will develop cooperation between the two countries in the upcoming period, especially in areas linked to environmental protection and boosting the green economy,” he said.
“We are in agreement that all countries must set their respective economies on the path of growth in a responsible way, which means competitiveness and environmental protection must go hand in hand,” he added.
He praised Kyrgyzstan’s resolute action taken against terrorist organisations, and added that the more successful the fight against terrorism was in Central Asia, the fewer migratory waves could be expected in Europe.
“Accordingly, we support the quickest possible ratification of a cooperation pact between Kyrgyzstan and the EU,” he said.
Hungary prioritises peace and opposes the prolongation of war, Levente Magyar, a foreign ministry state secretary, said at the ceremonial opening of the Sultanate of Oman’s embassy in Budapest on Tuesday, adding that Oman’s dedication to finding diplomatic solutions accorded with Hungary’s ethos.
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Administrative and Financial Affairs Khalid bin Hashel bin Mohammed Al-Muslahi and Ambassador Malallah Mahmood Shaban Al Balushi attended the event on behalf of Oman.
Magyar said the embassy’s opening marked a new chapter in the two countries’ histories. Strengthening links with the Middle East is a basic pillar of the Hungarian government’s foreign policy and economic strategy, he added. The large number of ambassadors from Middle Eastern countries attending the event “is a testament to this.”
He praised Oman’s intermediary role in resolving regional conflicts, adding that Oman was among the first countries to call for peace talks to resolve the Yemeni conflict and guarantee the security and freedom of Red Sea shipping.
The state secretary said that Hungary continued to support the personal ties developed with Oman in recent years, primarily under the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship scheme arrangements. He noted that talks on launching direct flights between the two countries’ capitals and main cities are underway.
Nowadays, you can’t imagine everyday life without social media. The vast majority of people have at least one account, whether that be Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Politicians are no exception, they have long been active on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. However, with the rapid evolution of technology, more and more politicians are jumping on the TikTok bandwagon.
TikTok offers a unique opportunity for politicians to connect with younger audiences and share their messages in a more relatable way. It’s also a chance for the public to see a different, often more personal side of their leaders, beyond the typical polished campaign appearances or formal interviews.
In Hungary, the trend is no different. A growing number of politicians have started to make their presence felt on TikTok. While some of their videos have resonated well, others have missed the mark—some even verging on cringeworthy. So, let’s dive into the most awkward and uncomfortable TikTok moments from Hungarian politicians.
Viktor Orbán
Hungary’s Prime Minister primarily uses TikTok for two main purposes: responding to questions—usually the simpler ones that highlight his personality—and promoting the government’s political agenda. However, not every post hits the mark. Occasionally, a video or two misses the intended effect, leading to some awkward or questionable moments, like the following example:
In this short clip, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán attempts to engage the younger generation by showcasing AI-generated ministers, paired with his voiceover. The response in the comments section, however, did not quite match his expectations. Reactions included comments like, “What is this?” and “I might have to move.” While there were some positive remarks, the ones that garnered the most attention and likes leaned more toward criticism and disapproval.
Alexandra Szentkirályi
Alexandra Szentkirályi, former government spokeswoman and Fidesz party member, is more active on TikTok than the Prime Minister and often focuses on issues affecting Budapest. However, this time, her video did not land as intended. In a post made during the recent flooding, she urged opposition politician Péter Magyar not to exploit the situation for political purposes. Ironically, she then spent the remaining 30 seconds criticizing him, turning the video into a politically charged statement itself. This shift in tone led to mixed reactions and gave the video an unintended twist.
Péter Magyar, President of Hungary’s largest opposition party and Member of the European Parliament, has mastered connecting with the younger generation on social media, as evident from his impressive view counts. However, despite his strong online presence, his attempt at AI-generated content did not quite hit the mark, coming off as more unsettling than engaging.
Ferenc Gyurcsány, former Prime Minister of Hungary and current opposition politician, responds to a viewer’s question in the video below. While answering questions is not unusual of him, the issue here is that this particular response was filmed while he was driving. Instead of appearing relatable or laid-back, the video comes across as awkward and even a bit embarrassing.
In the end, no matter which social media platform you browse, you are bound to come across videos that miss the mark. That does not mean politicians being active on TikTok is inherently negative. Their content can be entertaining and offer a more personal glimpse into who they are beyond politics. Beyond these examples, many other figures in the political arena have embraced TikTok, recognising it as an essential tool for engaging with voters and building a stronger connection with the public.
The world will turn its attention to Budapest this week as the capital city is going to host top diplomatic events, Barna Pál Zsigmond, a government official, told public broadcaster M1 on Tuesday.
The parliamentary state secretary of EU affairs noted that Budapest will host a European Political Community summit on November 7 and an informal summit of the European Council the next day.
“Thursday’s event will be a summit of European countries in a geographical sense with the UK, Turkiye, the Caucasus, and the Western Balkan countries in attendance while on Friday EU heads of state and government are set to meet,” he said.
The agenda of both events includes discussions about major geopolitical, geostrategic, and economic issues, as well as the US presidential election, Zsigmond said, adding that a Budapest declaration on Europe’s competitiveness was also planned to be adopted.
As we wrote today, traffic in Budapest is expected to be completely paralysed for the next few days due to diplomatic events, details HERE.
European Union regulations currently do not make it possible to monitor EU institutions’ compliance with the rule of law, the EU affairs minister told an international conference in Budapest on Monday, adding that an aim of the Hungarian EU presidency was to explore ways to make up for the shortcomings.
Jónos Bóka told the event organised by Transparency International Hungary and the Connect Europe Association that rule-of-law procedures were “the greatest challenge” for the EU as they politicised the bloc’s fundamental values rather than reinforcing them.
“A deep and mutual distrust has been generated between member states and institutions, which makes sincere cooperation extremely difficult,” the minister told the conference called “Protecting European values and the EU budget – Rule of law and transparency: weak points in Hungary’s EU presidency programme”.
Bóka said Hungary was being attacked “for its interpretation of the rule of law as a sovereign and democratic country, and for pointing out double standards, inconsistencies and hidden political agendas” in the EU.
The Hungarian presidency has launched several initiatives to resolve those debates, he said.
Meanwhile, Bóka insisted there had been a shift in the European Commission’s approach to the rule of law. “The Commission’s report mostly tackles areas that are under member states’ purview. Making funding from the multiannual financial framework conditional on issues outside the EU’s competency is clearly crossing a line.”
“Making the rule of law transnational is part of creating a European constitutional federation … Some of the debates are focusing on the aim to turn the EU’s system of regulations into a value system. I am firmly convinced that the EU is a community of values. But that doesn’t mean that EU law should be turned into a system of values,” Bóka said.
A common norm that would allow punitive measures to be imposed when the rule of law is violated remained elusive, Bóka said. To achieve that, “we need a clear political mandate and a full-scale reform of the competencies of the EU and member states, with an emphasis on the protection of the latter,” Bóka said.
At an informal meeting in Budapest early in September, EU affairs ministers have discussed strengthening the rule of law and the bloc’s competitiveness simultaneously, Bóka said. “The delegations agreed that those goals would best be served by taking the specificities of member states into account … but neither EU institutions nor the majority of member states supported a proposal to start working on the institutions’ better compliance with the rule of law,” he said. As an example, Bóka pointed to the oversight and transparency of asset declarations, which he said were considered a rule-of-law issue when violations of the norms were discovered in member states, but not when they were found in EU institutions.
Responding to a question, Bóka said Hungary continued to be “at the EC’s service” on continuing negotiations on frozen EU funding.
Regarding the execution of the EU court’s ruling to fine Hungary over its approach to migration, Bóka said talks with the EC were ongoing on that matter too. “It seems to me that many member states have come around to Hungary’s stance on regulating migration. Sanctioning the member state that is implementing that approach is undermining the credibility of the whole political procedure,” he said.
Bóka said the debate on European values should be conducted in talks between member states’ constitutional courts.
EC Vice-President Vera Jourova gave a speech at the event through a video link.
Péter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza Party, issued a statement on Monday, saying that “there should be no compromise over our children or grandchildren,”, adding that “a well-functioning … state has the primary obligation to save and protect the most vulnerable, children.”
Magyar called for zero tolerance in all cases of child abuse. He insisted that Hungary had “hundreds of thousands of children living below the poverty line”, and slammed the authorities for lengthy adoption procedures and for letting “abandoned babies remain in hospital care for up to one year”.
Magyar criticised the government for “learning nothing” from the child molestation scandal at the orphanage of Bicske, and said the government had “promised everything but failed to do anything”. He said the area of child protection suffered from “a lack of experts, underpaid teachers, lengthy legal procedures and unprepared authorities.”
“Ruling Fidesz’s politicians and oligarchs are having a great time on board of pricy luxury yachts while hundreds of thousands of children have no access to proper food,” Magyar said, pledging to protect children and to be rigorous in applying laws “against criminals no matter who they are or where they come from.”
