Hungary’s political landscape remained highly active this week, with migration once again moving to the centre of the domestic and European debate, while the government continued to define its position on Ukraine, EU relations and the first major tests of the post-election political order.
In politics, the key questions centred on Hungary’s continued migration emergency, the government’s attempt to resolve the EUR 1 million-a-day EU fine, and Budapest’s decision to keep blocking parts of Ukraine’s accession process over minority-rights concerns. At home, the first signs of pressure on the new administration appeared alongside fresh polling, while Fidesz and Mi Hazánk are beginning to confront the strategic realities of opposition.
The economy and business picture was dominated by a widening budget gap, continued cost-of-living pressure and a growing list of domestic policy changes, from pensions and social spending to Airbnb regulation and the bottle-return system. Meanwhile, in diplomacy, Hungary took a firmer line on alleged Russian hybrid activity, Péter Magyar moved closer to the European People’s Party, and Budapest hosted a busy round of European and bilateral diplomatic engagements.
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