VIDEOS: Hungarian astronomer discovered the asteroid heading towards Earth
Krisztián Sárnecky was the first scientist to detect an asteroid speeding towards the Earth this morning.
According to index.hu, the Hungarian astronomer, detected the asteroid this morning when it entered our planet’s atmosphere. He immediately passed the information to his German and Czech colleagues, who could see what happened.
That was not the first time that the Hungarian astronomer caught an asteroid hitting the Earth. In March 2022, he did so two hours before the impact. He discovered other comets and asteroids from the observatory in Piszkés-tető in the Mátra Mountains.
Thanks to his discovery, astronomers in Leipzig, Berlin and Prague could take several photos and videos of the asteroid’s impact.
The asteroid he discovered today entered the Earth’s atmosphere at 1.30 AM. 2024 BX1’s diameter was around one meter, and it fell into pieces in the atmosphere. It might happen that we will find some of it in Germany or Czechia later.
Read also:
- Amazing! The first Hungarian object is on its way to the Moon – videos and details HERE
Here is footage of its impact:
Thanks to my wonderful colleague @allplanets I knew where and when to look for a #meteor coming down over #Berlin tonight. Here’s the video! pic.twitter.com/kBhGz6Ahir
— Michael Aye (@mi********@ma******.online) 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@michaelaye) January 21, 2024
Here it is pic.twitter.com/6cDzlJ5hqD
— GionGionni (@GionniGion) January 21, 2024
Above Prague:
Prague’s view of #Sar2736: a minor planet entering Earth’s atmosphere on Jan 21, 2024, at 00:32 UT. pic.twitter.com/KXDnBvzmGX
— Hanjie Tan (@HonkitTan) January 21, 2024
Above Berlin:
über Berlin. pic.twitter.com/AYROUbTpSy
— FloBerlin (@BerlinFlo5) January 21, 2024
Warning: Budapest flights cancelled due to heavy weather
Heavy snow and sleet are forecast at Frankfurt and Munich airports. Lufthansa has introduced a reduced timetable to avoid last-minute cancellations, delays and chaos at the airport. Budapest flights are also affected.
On Wednesday, 17 January and Thursday, 18 January, Lufthansa has thinned its schedule in advance due to the expected disruptions. Four flights to and four flights from Budapest have also been cancelled, AIRportal.hu reports.
The German meteorological service has issued an alert for heavy snow and sleet in the Frankfurt and Munich areas. Airports have informed airlines of the threat.
According to AIRportal.hu, the operators of two major airports have both reminded affected passengers to check the status of their flight with the airline and not to depart for the airports if their flight has been cancelled.
Lufthansa’s reduced schedule will affect several Budapest flights on Wednesday:
- Flights LH1334, LH1336 and LH1338 arriving in Budapest from Frankfurt at 09:50, 12:10 and 13:55 and LH1676 from Munich arriving in Budapest at 12:35 have been cancelled.
- There is also no flight LH1675 from Budapest to Munich at 08:05 and no flights LH1335, LH1337 and LH1339 to Frankfurt at 10:35, 12:55 and 14:45 on Wednesday.
Read also:
Ryanair will fly from Budapest to a bankrupted airport almost bought by Putin-close oligarch
The Irish low-cost airline announced a new flight from Budapest to Germany, but the destination airport was bankrupted before and is very far from the closest big German city.
According to okosutas.hu, Frankfurt-Hahn is connected to Frankfurt only by name and the marketing experts. Frankfurt is one of the most important German cities, home of Europe’s sixth biggest international airport. However, Hahn is almost 120 km from the main airgate, so you must drive at least 1.5 hours to reach it from the Ruhr region city on the banks of River Rhein. Hahn is closer to Luxembourg than Frankfurt.
Ryanair announced that they would launch a new flight there. We wrote about their announcement in THIS article. The planes will commute twice a week between the two cities but only between June and September. The first plane will take off on 2 June.
Frankfurt-Hahn (a successful marketing trick) was very popular in the 2000s when budget airlines did not fly to big city airports. Such cheap airports were good for them. That changed in the last two decades, and low-cost airlines tend to travel to the main airports but keep some of the small ones.
Frankfurt-Hahn – Lake Balaton flights will also return?
Hahn was at the top in 2007 with more than 5 million passengers. However, in 2021, that number went below 1 million. As a result, the airport went bankrupt, but the first buyer did not pay for it. Then, a Putin-close oligarch came, but after the invasion, he became a persona non grata.
Finally, they could find an investor who saw an opportunity in the airport far from Frankfurt but in a region densely populated. The new owner invested a significant amount of money into the development of the airport. Moreover, the main airport of Frankfurt increased its costs, so budget airlines left in 2022. Following that, Ryanair started to increase the number of its flights to Hahn last year. Thus, it is understandable why they relaunched their Budapest-Frankfurt-Hahn flight this year.
This may help people because low-cost flights are rare to that German region from Budapest. And who knows? Maybe the once popular Frankfurt-Hahn-Sármellék (Lake Balaton) flight will also return.
Read also:
Ryanair announces new flight from Budapest to one of Europe’s busiest air gates
The Irish low-cost airline announced a new flight from Budapest Airport to Germany. That means they will surely beat Wizz Air in Budapest in the summer season, since they will have more flights than the Hungarian budget airline.
According to Airportal, a Hungarian air travel-focused news outlet, the Irish airline will fly between Budapest and Frankfurt-Hahn, an airport 120 km away from Europe’s 6th busiest airport, twice a week. That goes for the period between June and September.
Based on the booking system of Ryanair, the first flight will take off from Budapest Airport on 2 June. The planes will carry passengers on Wednesdays and Sundays between Budapest and Hahn.
On Wednesdays, the flights will operate under the FR 9778 register code. They will depart from Frankfurt-Hahn at 1.10 PM and arrive in Budapest at 2.55 PM. The return flights will travel under FR 9779 and take off at 3.20 PM to land in Hahn at 5.05 PM. On Sunday, the flights will commute three hours later.
The route will be served by Malta Air’s Boeing 737 planes based in Hahn. The booking of the flights is available until 29 September.
This is why Ryanair beat Wizz Air in Budapest
According to Budflyer, a Hungarian air travel news-focused Facebook page that always has precise information, this is the fourth new Ryanair flight in the 2024 summer timetable. As we wrote in THIS article, the fierce competition between Ryanair and Wizz Air for passengers across Europe is palpable. But it seems the Irish will win Budapest this summer in terms of the number of flights launched from the Hungarian capital.
If we consider Debrecen International Airport, where only Wizz Air is present, the numbers change, and Hungary’s biggest budget airline remains Wizz Air.
Wizz Air did not announce any new flights from Budapest for the 2024 summer season. The only difference compared to their previous season is that their Edinburgh flight will commute to Glasgow instead of the Scottish capital. Budflyer believes the reason is the engine problems of the newly-acquired Airbus planes. As a result, many Wizz planes must remain on the ground for an accurate checkup, so the airline cannot expand as much as they would like. We summed up that problem in THIS article.
Read also:
Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture: German protest to shape future of European agriculture
Recent protests mounted by German farmers against subsidy cuts is a move that will “define the future existence of European agriculture”, the Hungarian agriculture minister said on Wednesday, indicating Hungarian farmers’ solidarity with their German counterparts.
Speaking to public broadcaster M1, István Nagy called it “outrageous” that the German chancellor was still advocating support to Ukraine while his country’s “food sovereignty was at risk” and local farmers were facing serious problems.
“It is clear that the EU’s internal market has turned over; while local farmers must obey rigorous regulations, Brussels has opened the community’s markets to Ukraine where no regulations apply,” said Nagy, expressing Hungarian farmers’ solidarity with their German peers.
Speaking to public radio’s morning programme, Nagy said “the EU’s agricultural sector has never before been so overideologised”. “It is not about Ukrainian farmers any more, but about US, Dutch, German and Saudi Arabian multinational companies that have purchased vast arable lands in Ukraine eyeing the safe EU markets”.
“And they wrap it up in a green ideology, making European farmers feel guilty,” the minister said.
Read also:
Warning: Hungarian trains affected by German rail strike
The German rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced a strike until Friday, with significant disruption and delays expected on the affected sections. According to the Hungarian State Railways, MÁV, some Hungarian services will also be affected.
A walkout has been announced by the German railways from 2 AM on Wednesday until 6 PM on Friday evening. The reason given was that DB had not used the Christmas period to make a negotiable offer, Index reports. GDL members involved in freight transport started the strike as early as 7 PM on Tuesday evening.
The walkout in Germany also affects some MÁV services,
the Hungarian railway company said on its website on Tuesday.
DB’s walkout affects the following trains:
- Kálmán Imre EuroNight, which operates direct wagons between Budapest-Stuttgart-Budapest,
- Railjet xpress between Budapest-Vienna-Salzburg-Munich-Budapest,
- the Metropol EuroNight, which operates the direct Budapest-Berlin-Budapest services,
- and the Hungária EuroCity trains running between Budapest-Hamburg-Budapest.
Passengers travelling to Germany should check the DB and MÁV information platforms and customer services, they added.
Read also:
Rock legends to perform in Budapest: tickets on sale tomorrow!
One of the most successful hard rock bands of all time, Scorpions, will play in Budapest, Hungary again this summer. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of its album Love at First Sting, the German band will perform a new show in the Hungarian capital. The Scorpions will also play their greatest hits alongside songs from the 1984 album, organisers Live Nation said on Tuesday. Tickets go on sale tomorrow!
Scorpions to perform in Budapest again
The Scorpions last performed in Hungary in May 2022, as part of a world tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of their first album, Lonesome Crow. Founded in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, Scorpions have become one of the most successful rock bands in Germany and continental Europe over the past almost six decades, Pénzcentrum writes.
They will perform in Budapest this year on 29 June in the Papp László Budapest Sports Arena.
One of the most successful bands of all time
To date, the Scorpions have sold more than 120 million records, played more than 5,000 shows, won countless awards and received a star on the Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame. In 1988, the Scorpions were the first Western rock band to play (five sold-out) concerts in Leningrad, in the then-Soviet Union. They were also pioneers in China and Southeast Asia, being the first Western band to play in many places.
Scorpions and Omega
The group became a worldwide known and established band in the eighties, and commemorated the regime change with the song Wind of Change. The Scorpions covered the song of Hungarian band Omega titled Gyöngyhajú Lány in English in 1995 and gave it the title White Dove.
The two bands performed together multiple times. The current line-up of the Scorpions features Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine, Matthias Jabs on guitar, Pawel Maciwoda on bass and Mikkey Dee on drums.
Scorpions and Omega performing together in 1994 in Budapest:
“We’re very excited to be back on tour and can’t wait to present our new show to fans around the world, featuring our biggest hits alongside material from the legendary Love at First Sting album! Get ready… We’re stepping it up, it’s going to be one hell of a ride!!!” Live Nation quoted the legendary singer, Klaus Meine, as saying.
Tickets for the Budapest show go on sale Thursday, 11 January at 10 AM. Scorpions Rock Zone fan club members and registered Live Nation members have an exclusive pre-sale opportunity that started on Wednesday, 10 January at 10 AM.
Tickets are available HERE.
Read also:
EXCLUSIVE – Shareholder’s warning: Budapest Airport’s purchase may not happen
According to Hungary’s Ministry of National Economy, the government may sign the relevant contract to buy Budapest Airport this spring. However, one of the shareholders sent us a message in which they clear that may not happen.
Márton Nagy, Hungary’s minister of national economy, a new ministry created after the Christmas festivities by PM Orbán, said the government would sign the relevant contracts with the shareholders of the Budapest Airport this spring. There are three shareholders: the German AviAlliance (54.44%), a Canadian pension fund, the Canadian Pension fund Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments, 21.23%), and Malton (Singapore) with 23.33%.
Mr Nagy added that negotiations were in a state that a contract might be signed soon. PM Orbán said on his 21 December international press conference that the airport’s purchase is a “finished issue”. He added only technicalities remained to discuss and agree on.
The European Commission approved the purchase of Hungary’s main airgate last December. The buyers will be the Hungarian state-owned Corvinus Investments and the French Vinci Airports. The majority of the shares will be in Hungarian hands, while the French will operate the airport. We wrote about that HERE.
The Hungarian government said they would include a Qatar state-owned investments fund. Furthermore, the Orbán cabinet promised to build a new terminal after the acquisition, airportal.hu wrote. Hvg.hu added that the Qatar fund would join the project as a financial or strategic investor.
Shareholder’s warning: Budapest Airport’s purchase may not happen
We received a letter lately from one of the shareholders of the Canadian pension fund writing that the purchase of the airport is not as sure as PM Orbán suggested at the last December press conference. Here is their unchanged email:
“I’m a share holder in the Canadian Pension fund Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) Canada. Shareholders still have not voted yet on the proposed offer from Hungarian authorities. It’s not a done deal.
Don’t listen to Hungarian authorities – of course, they will try to present a positive position. Contact the current owners for their perspective. There is still no agreement on price and value of transaction. Once it’s been agreed, then the offer must go before the shareholders for a vote.
The airport is currently operating very well. There is concern with the EU, that if the Hungarian government in any way becomes involved, it’s going to be unsuccessful; as was the case previously. This transaction is a long way from completion.”
December decision might serve as a compass
24.hu wrote that between 16 and 21 November, the three shareholders of the Budapest Airport’s owner company decided to separate their shares into three. That means they are preparing for an acquisition during which three new shareholders would replace the old ones.
AviAlliance created the following packages: 28.28%, 16.08% and 11.09%. Malton’s numbers are the following ones: 11.9%, 6.77%, 4.67%. Finally, here are the share packs of the Canadian pension fund: 10.83%, 6.16%, and 4.24%. If you add those numbers up, these are the new owner packages: 51% for the state-owned Hungarian Corvinus, 29% for the French and 20% for the Qatari investors.
24.hu added last December that it is not enough to reach an agreement with the shareholders. The Hungarian government must negotiate and agree with the airport’s creditors. The different types of loans concerning the airport reach EUR 1.5 billion.
Read also:
The Hungarian military booms, strengthened greatly in the last year
The Hungarian military has had a year filled with developments. New additions have arrived into the arsenal and upgrades have been implemented.
It has been an eventful year for the Hungarian Defense Forces. The old Chief of Staff Major General Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi has been replaced by Major General Gábor Böröndi. Recruitment is in full swing, joint military exercises with several nations have taken place in Hungary and numerous new weapons have been introduced to the military. Let’s take a peek at the new weapons that arrived this year and how the current military arsenal is looking.
Air Defense
Hungary’s air defense has seen significant improvements this year, making up for more than 20 years of lag. Since the mass dismantling in 2010, the Hungarian airspace has not been properly protected. However, this fall marked a new level in the Hungarian ground-based air defense. The first two batteries arrived from the NASAMS, which is a Norwegian-American air defense missile system. It provides real and reliable protection against modern fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles.
Additionally, the defendable area is several times larger with NASAMS. This new air defense system has a network-based operation, advanced communication system, and exceptional hit accuracy, which completely elevates Hungarian air defense, vg.hu writes. The Gripens also received extra upgrades, namely extra missiles, which are also compatible with the NASAMS system.
Helicopters in the Air Force
New helicopters arrived at the Hungarian Defense Forces this year. The fleet got updated with the first four out of the 14 previously ordered Airbus H225Ms. Similar to the previously arrived models, some of the new additions will be equipped for fire support tasks. What’s more, two years ago, Hungary ordered the German IRIS-T, considered one of the world’s best short-range air-to-air missiles, for its fighter jets. To summarise, Hungarian air defense has modernised drastically in the previous period, and now fits the requirements of the 21st century threats that may arise.
Tanks
The first four Leopard 2A7+ arrived at the Tata armored brigade, out of the 44 that Hungary previously has ordered.
The Leopard 2A7+ is one of the world’s most modern tanks, but Hungary may acquire an even more effective weapon in the second half of the decade as Rheinmetall’s Zalaegerszeg plant participates in the development of the company’s newest tank, the Panther.
The first Lynx armored fighting vehicle was completed at the Zalaegerszeg plant, which has an annual production capacity of 50. The Hungarian Defense Forces ordered a total of 209 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles and the first 46 will come from Germany. This year also marked the completion of Hungary’s self-propelled howitzer fleet, which now consists of 24 PzH 2000s. The Hungarian artillery underwent a gigantic technological leap with these new weapons.
Industrial Growth
In addition to Rheinmetall’s investment in Zalaegerszeg, where they completed the building of the military plant there have been some other new investments. Such as a weapons factory being established in Győr, which will manufacture Gidrán 4X4 MRAPs. The Hungarian Defense Forces plan to deploy a total of 400-500 Gidrán vehicles in various configurations. Among them, the two most exciting types could be the mortar-equipped version and the artillery reconnaissance vehicle. There will likely be traditional troop carriers and gunners, command and casualty transport versions as well.
A domestically owned ammunition factory will be established based on the prestigious Italian Beretta license. It will produce NATO standard ammunition rounds, meeting the needs of modern machine guns and rifles deployed in the Hungarian Defense Forces.
All in all, there have been various minor and major developments through the year. It can be said that the above list includes only the most significant military developments. Based on all this, the arsenal of the Hungarian Defense Forces has grown significantly this year, and there has been no shortage of new announcements.
Read more about the first Hungarian to fly a plane HERE.
Read more about the ten richest Hungarians in 2023 HERE.
House Speaker: Hungary lost a true friend
House Speaker László Kövér has sent his condolences to his German counterpart over the passing of Wolfgang Schauble, former president of the Bundestag, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
Schauble died on Tuesday, at the age of 81.
In his letter to Baerbel Bash, Kövér said Schauble had “remained a true friend of Hungary throughout his life”.
“He was a politician of great character, a humanist and a man,” said Kövér, adding that Schauble, who also served as finance minister and the leader of the CDU party, “was committed to open and earnest dialogue”. He was an influential politician, also valued and respected by his opponents, Kövér added.
Schauble was one of the few German politicians who played a key role in the German reunification and was an active supporter of the political regime change in Hungary, and in central Europe, the parliamentary speaker said.
“With his passing, Germany and Europe have lost an excellent politician, and Hungary a true friend,” Kövér said, and expressed his deepest condolences also on behalf of the Hungarian parliament.
Read also:
First image of Hungary’s Holy Crown found in a Medieval German codex
Hungary’s Holy Crown was never just a crown. It has always symbolised the unity of the nation and the country. No monarch could rule until he was crowned with the Holy Crown by the archbishop of Esztergom in Székesfehérvár. However, the first image of the artefact was discovered in a Medieval German codex in Munich, and not in a Hungarian document in Hungary.
That is because many written materials were destroyed during the Ottoman occupation. Therefore, original written documents about Hungary can only be discovered as copies in Western archives. And even though the Holy Crown played a key role in Hungary’s history, its first depiction is not in Hungary but in Munich in a German Medieval codex.
The Hungarian Holy Crown had an adventurous history. Its arrival is already legendary. Allegedly, it was given by the pope to the first Hungarian Christian king, Stephen I. Historians say it was assembled only in the 12th century from a Greek female and a Latin crown.
The national artefact was stolen multiple times and was even buried after the 1848-1849 War for independence. After WWI, the Americans took it to Fort Knox in Kentucky and returned it only in 1978. First, it was displayed in the National Museum, then in the Hungarian National Assembly. Checking it out is part of the parliament tour, but you can take no photos or videos.
The first image of the Hungarian Holy Crown is an illustration
We do not know how the Holy Crown looked in the 13th, 14th or 15th century. That is due to the fact that the first authentic image of it that survived the centuries was made only in the 16th century and is preserved in a German Medieval codex.
Made in 1555, the priceless document is now in Munich, and the Holy Crown of Hungary was painted in it as an illustration to a story of how King Mathias I (1456-1490) retrieved it from Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III.
Here is a photo from the relevant page of the codex:
As you can see, the golden cross on the top of Hungary’s Holy Crown was straight. Now it is tilted. The harm was the result of an accident in the 17th century when the cape of the iron chest held it shut before the crown was properly placed.
Read also:
Christmas nightmare: Wizz Air passengers left in Dortmund before Christmas
Due to a technical problem, passengers could only return to Budapest yesterday afternoon instead of Saturday the 23rd. Wizz Air has pointed out that due to the significantly increased traffic and often adverse weather conditions, delays are frequent and occasional cancellations may occur.
Passengers left in Dortmund before Christmas
A full flight of people were kept waiting by Wizz Air in Dortmund on 24 December due to a plane malfunction on Saturday, a reader of Index wrote in a letter to the news portal. The reader wrote that her husband was due to fly home on Saturday, but the incident left them sitting on the plane for about two hours. The airline subsequently said they would not be leaving on Saturday. The passengers managed to book accommodation for the night.
On Sunday morning they were promised a plane at 10 AM. However, shortly afterwards it turned out that there would be no plane. “We have little confidence that the promise of this afternoon will be fulfilled. No Wizz Air employee with them, no information, and saddest of all, they are constantly being let down, so everyone is waiting for promises while missing out on other alternative ways to get home,” Gabriella wrote to Index.
Wizz Air explanation
Index sent a few questions to Wizz Air about the incident. The low-cost carrier underlined in its response that the days leading up to Christmas are particularly busy for air travel, as many people are travelling to visit their families and many people time their family holidays abroad for this period. Due to the significant increase in traffic and often adverse weather conditions, delays and cancellations are common.
One example was the heavy snowfall on Saturday, which forced the closure of Runway 1 at Liszt Ferenc International Airport for hours, causing flight cancellations and significant delays for all airlines affected (read more HERE). The Dortmund flight concerned experienced a technical problem and, for the safety of passengers, it was not possible to take off until the repairs had been made.
The process took longer than expected, which is why the flight had to be rescheduled for 24 December. Wizz Air has arranged accommodation, board and transfers for all passengers. Passengers on the flight departed back to Budapest yesterday afternoon at 3:30 PM.
Read also:
Hungary announced another important military development
The Hungarian Armed Forces has asked Rheinmetall to develop a heavy brigade air defence system in line with NATO requirements, the defense ministry said on Thursday.
Modernising equipment is not just about acquisitions but steady development, too, the ministry’s statement said.
A key part of the Lynx fighting vehicle is its air defence system designed for active defence against low-flying, small drones and traditional air targets, it said.
The German arms company has received an order to develop the short-range air defence system called Skyranger 30 Lynx. Based on the Lynx chassis, it will provide direct air defence protection for the heavy brigade equipped with modern combat vehicles, the statement said.
Read also:
Hungary to participate in tank development
Hungary will participate in tank development in cooperation with Rheinmetal, Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Friday.
“Together with our large German partner, we will develop and bring to market a state-of-the-art, latest-generation tank under the name Panther,” he said on Facebook after the signing of contracts with Rheinmetal.
He added that the project would bring serious advantages to Hungary, enabling the country to join developments which “are the privilege of serious and strong countries”.
Seventy Hungarian engineers will work on the project for years, and “our Zalaegerszeg plant will offer the framework for this cooperation”, through which serious defence industry development will be carried out in Hungary, he said.
“We ensure the security of Hungarian people through the most modern means,” he added.
Read also:
- Leopard tank spotted in Budapest last night – details and VIDEO HERE
Proof: Hungary a meeting point of investments from East and West – VIDEO, PHOTOS
German automotive industry supplier ZF will invest 24 billion forints (EUR 63m) at its bases in Kecskemét, in central Hungary, and Debrecen, in the country’s east. Meanwhile, South Korean automotive industry supplier Hanon Systems will invest 43 billion forints (EUR 113m) at local bases in Székesfehérvár, Pécs and Rétság.
ZF Chassis Modules Hungary will make shock absorbers as well as front and rear axles for electric vehicles to be manufactured from 2025 at the BMW plant in Debrecen and the Mercedes factory in Kecskemet, FM Péter Szijjártó said.
The state is providing 2.4 billion forints in support for the investment that will create 313 jobs, he said, adding that Hungary is “at the forefront” in the switch to electromobility. Here is a video:
South Korea Hanon to invest HUF 43 billion in Hungary
South Korean automotive industry supplier Hanon Systems will invest 43 billion forints (EUR 113m) at local bases in Székesfehérvár, Pécs and Rétság, the minister of foreign affairs and trade announced on Friday. The investment will involve upgrades and capacity expansions as well as a training programme for a staff of 200, Szijjártó said. The state is supporting the project, which will create 250 jobs, with 5.7 billion forints, he added.
Hungary faced “tough competition” to attract the investment, he said, noting that Hanon Systems had 53 factories in 21 countries around the world.
South Korean companies formed the largest group of foreign investors in Hungary in 2019 and again in 2021, said Szijjártó. Three of the world’s ten biggest EV battery makers are South Korean and two of those companies have big plants in Hungary, he added.
Read also:
Hungarian Minister believes Germans will flee to Hungary for better future
Hungarian Minister of Economic Development, Márton Nagy, scrutinises Germany’s economic standing in a recent Magyar Nemzet article, instead of addressing Hungary’s economic situation.
Nagy suggests that due to Germany‘s failing budget policy, many German nationals may flee their country in a bid to escape the German stagnation.
Did the Germans mess up?
Nagy delves into the intricacies of the three-party political coalition steering Germany, highlighting the diverse political views within. He states that these conflicting positions, represented by the coalition’s constituent parties, are pulling the German economy in disparate directions, resulting in the implementation of a “shadow budget.” Nagy details this unconventional economic approach and explores potential consequences, including a potential trend of German migration to Hungary.
Telex provides a more in-depth analysis of the situation, explaining how the coalition shifted a significant portion of state assets into special funds to maintain the appearance of budgetary balance. These off-budget funds now surpass the annual budget itself, effectively creating a second budget. Nagy labels this a “technocratic takeover” by the German coalition, asserting that the Constitutional Court’s ruling on 15 November deemed the way the coalition managed the taxpayers’ and creditors’ money unconstitutional.
Diverging paths
The Minister writes that diverging paths further complicate the economic landscape. Nagy outlines the reasons behind Germany’s economic struggles, attributing them to the conflicting goals of the coalition. Pursuing the green-energy transition, inclusive growth and fiscal discipline simultaneously proves challenging, with only two out of the three achievable at any given time. The Minister criticises misguided policy measures, such as the gradual phase-out of nuclear energy and the push for complete energy independence, asserting that these policies have exacerbated the situation, pushing the German budget policy to the brink of collapse. Since the Minister doesn’t touch on that in his writing, you can read more about Hungary’s financial state in this article.
Meanwhile in Hungary..
In contrast to Germany, Nagy anticipates widespread political repercussions. He predicts a political crisis in Germany and foresees a short-lived career for Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Nagy asserts, “Hungary can expect an influx of Western political and economic refugees due to our anticipated economic growth in Europe by 2024, fostered in a stable, predictable and secure environment, while Germany unfortunately faces stagnation.”
Concluding his article, Nagy emphasises Hungary’s approach as rational and pragmatic rather than ideological, advocating for the transformation of the traditional energy industry into a new, sustainable one. He contends that those capable of producing and storing green energy will secure a prosperous future. Whether Nagy’s predictions hold true remains to be seen, but the pursuit of a green future is undoubtedly a crucial endeavour. Check out this article to learn more about Hungary’s progress in this area.
Hungary’s 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Germany
Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, attended a conference marking the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Hungary and Germany, in Budapest on Monday.
Ties between the two countries “are so deeply rooted and so complex that they cannot be assessed exclusively on basis of the political situation at the moment,” he said in his address.
Hungarian-German relations are “good, intensive, and affect many areas of life,” Gulyás said.
Gulyás noted that “it has always been the German economy and German culture that had the strongest presence in Hungary”, adding that “friendship between the two peoples has prevailed even in the hardest times.” He also added that “though we will have better political ties, we can be proud of our economic and cultural relations.”
As for the economy, he said Germany’s presence was “decidedly strong”, Hungarian-German business transactions accounting for 25 percent of Hungary’s foreign trade turnover. Ninety percent of German investors in Hungary are “most satisfied” with the business environment, he added.
Citing surveys, Gulyás said most Germans viewed Hungarians positively, while over two-thirds of Hungarians had expressed their preferences for Germany.
Hungary has an interest in Germany having a stable government, in maintaining good ties with that country and that “dialogue should remain factual in all areas”.
“Hardly any other countries have such strong linguistic and cultural ties; this is what should be appreciated in politics,” he said. “Politics is working to worsen the situation but the overall picture is not as bad that we should despair,” he added.
Former German ambassador to Hungary Ursula Seiler-Albring said bilateral ties were “friendly and resting on good foundations”. She said that “while there may be temporary tensions” the do not make good relations impossible and the parties “stay in communication and seek solutions that are acceptable for both sides”. “Germans and Hungarians have always understood each other well,” she added.
Julia Gross, the incumbent ambassador, expressed her country’s gratitude for Hungary’s role in the process of Germany’s reunification.” “We will always be grateful to Hungary,” she said.
Read also:
Significant delays and cancellations concerning international trains in Hungary
The amount of snow falling in the last few days was so huge that many international trains commute with significant delays in Hungary. Fortunately, we cannot blame the Hungarian State Railways for the situation. The international trains were delayed because of the heavy snowfall in Austria and Germany.
We wrote HERE that in some places, even 20 cm of snow fell in Hungary’s Western regions, but that is nothing compared to what happened in Austria and South Germany, especially Bavaria. We also reported how the Austrian State Railways (ÖBB) disconnected the international trains coming from Hungary because of their regular and significant delays. The reason for that was the renovation of the Vienna-Budapest railway line.
However, the current delays are not the fault of MÁV or other Hungarian institutions or companies. According to the Hungarian State Railways, considerable delays, cancellations and carriage modifications can took place concerning trains coming from the West.
That comes after an intensive snowfall in Austria and Germany, especially around Munich. As a result, regional and international trains suffer significant delays, and some cannot even start their journey.
Winter in Austria:
The routes concerned are Railjet, Eurocity, and Euronight trains coming from Munich, Salzburg or Zürich to Budapest via Hegyeshalom and Győr. Furthermore, the extraordinary weather also affects the Hungarian counterparts from Budapest.
ÖBB recommended all passengers to delay their journeys. The German State Railways (Deutsche Bahn – DB) did the same concerning all travels around Munich.
Passengers in trouble in Budapest can get help in the customers’ centre in Budapest’s Keleti railway station. For example, you may get tips for accommodation in the capital provided your train was cancelled or delayed.
The timetable was modified due to the extraordinary weather conditions. For example, Kálmán Imre EuroNight (EN 463) will not commute from Salzburg to Budapest today. Moreover, Wiener Walzer Euronight (467 and 465) will not come from Zürich on 3 December. Swiss and Austrian authorities will attach a night carriage to the trains because all hotels are full.
Here is a video about how much snow fell in Munich, baulking air traffic from and to the airport:
At Munich airport a plane that was supposed to fly to Dubai for a global warming summit was frozen on the runway 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/DCBvr9W9EV
— Roberto (@UniqueMongolia) December 2, 2023
Read also: