Hungarian government

BREAKING NEWS: Orbán’s cabinet closes Hungary-Ukraine border to Ukrainian agricultural imports

ukraine hungary

The European Union should demand that non-EU countries exporting farm produce to the bloc abide by the same production standards maintained by EU member states, István Nagy, the agriculture minister, in Brussels on Monday, arguing that cheap produce entering the EU “without controls” further weakened Europe’s competitiveness.

The EU agreement on Ukrainian imports expires in June, and even then, it fails to protect European farmers adequately. Nagy told a press conference after a meeting with EU counterparts.

Referring to various imports such as honey, eggs and sugar, he said import quotas had been exhausted and, even then, had upset markets in some member states. Brussels must not only take Ukrainian interests into account, but make sure that the long-term interests of Hungary and other border countries are secured, he said, adding “we haven’t heard much about the European Commission’s plans in this respect”.

Hungary’s number one task in the face of Ukrainian farm imports remains to protect the interests of Hungarian farmers, he insisted. Until a solution is found, Hungary will close the Ukraine-Hungary border to Ukrainian farm produce, he said.

Nagy said the EU, when it came to revising Ukraine’s association agreement, “should take greater care in determining the volume of imports”, and should include “sensitive produce” such as wheat and corn in the updated agreement. Imports, he said, got stuck in border states and caused severe market disruption.

He welcomed the restoration of Ukraine’s Black Sea transport routes, allowing exports to reach their destinations via traditional sea routes. The minister said global food security was vitally important, but this must not come at the expense of the competitiveness of Hungarian farmers and domestic trade. He said Hungary faced “unpredictable and irreversible consequences” should Ukraine succeed in its bid to join the EU, as this would dilute agricultural subsidies and “lead to the ruin of Hungarian farmers”.

As we wrote a few days earlier, Hungarian farmers’ association said that Ukraine’s EU accession would be catastrophic.

Georgia parliament speaker Salva Papuasvili held talks in Budapest

Georgian parliament's speaker Salva Papuasvili held talks in Budapest

László Kövér, Speaker of the National Assembly and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received Salva Papuasvili, Speaker of the Georgia’s Parliament, in Budapest.

Orbán: Hungary backs Georgia in dispute with Brussels

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received Salva Papuasvili, the Georgian parliament’s speaker, in Budapest on Monday, and they discussed political cooperation as well as economic and energy ties.

Orbán called for a stop to “the attacks by Brussels and the Soros network against the pro-peace Georgian government”. The prime minister also said the EU financing of opponents of the Tbilisi government must be halted.

Georgian parliament's speaker Salva Papuasvili held talks in Budapest
Georgian parliament’s speaker Salva Papuasvili held talks in Budapest. Photo: MTI

Georgia, he added, was ready for EU membership and should be allowed to join as soon as possible.

The officials agreed that Hungary-Georgia ties “are based on shared values”, including their “common cultural and Christian heritage and a commitment to peace”.

Economic cooperation should better reflect the level of political relations, the prime minister said, adding that bilateral investment and business relations and trade should be expanded in the future, the statement said.

Speaker: Hungary continues to support Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity

Hungary will continue to support Georgia in maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Speaker of Parliament László Kövér said after signing a cooperation and partnership agreement with Georgian counterpart Shalva Papuashvili in Budapest on Monday.

Georgian parliament's speaker Salva Papuasvili held talks in Budapest
Georgian parliament’s speaker Salva Papuasvili held talks in Budapest. Photo: MTI

“With this agreement, cooperation between the parliaments of Hungary and Georgia has been elevated to the same strategic level at which bilateral governmental ties have been maintained since 2022. It also symbolises the friendship built between Hungary and Georgia based on common interests and traditions,” Kover said.

The speaker said he was convinced that cooperation would help to advance Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

Hungary’s legislature will help Georgia in its endeavours by sharing its own recent experiences, he said. EU countries and institutions must respect Georgia’s sovereignty in this process, he said, adding that Hungary would work to ensure that they do so.

Any interference in Georgia’s domestic affairs “is unacceptable”, Kover said, adding that Hungary, even as an EU member state, had been forced to endure similar EU forays into his affairs as Georgia had suffered.

The EU, he added, was likely to change its stance in light of the outcome of the US presidential election.

Fulfilling the criteria for EU membership was a matter of objective facts rather than ideological prejudices, the speaker said. Given Georgia’s economic development and growth, it would be the best-prepared candidate by the end of the decade, he said, adding that Hungary would use all means at its disposal to ensure that Georgia “becomes a full EU member sooner rather than later”.

Papuasvili thanked Hungary for its “friendly support and help”, and called it “a great honour” to visit Hungary.

Today’s discussions embraced specific security and political issues, he said, thanking Hungary for its support for Georgia’s sovereignty.

Centuries-old bilateral relations “are based on European values”, he said, also noting the Hungarian prime minister’s visit to Georgia just after the 2024 general election.

Budapest Mayor: Orbán must tell UAE partner that the shady mini-Dubai project is off the table – UPDATE

Budapest mini Dubai Grand Budapest project

Budapest needs affordable suburban homes built “in a transparent way” in the city’s Rákosrendező development area, Gergely Karácsony, the city’s mayor, said in response to a statement by a government official on Monday. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is going to the Emirates soon, the mayor said in a message about “mini-Dubai”.

Botond Sára, the head of the government office, said in a video posted on social media that the Budapest assembly “is facing perhaps the biggest decisions of its life”. “The councillors are set to decide whether to prevent the construction of apartments and jobs or support a development project which will yield money that could be used for developing the city’s public transport system developments and keeping the city clean,” said Sára.

Karácsony said in response that “it is becoming clearer and clearer that this is not a large-scale development project but a ‘back-door deal’ of the government,” adding that the project which he dubbed “mini Dubai” was aimed at building luxury apartments for foreigners rather than affordable housing for locals. The mayor said the metropolitan council wanted to ensure affordable housing with plenty of green spaces in the Rákosrendező area, “with the involvement of investors … in a transparent way, not in back-door dealings with Arab billionaires, but in competition, serving our sovereignty and Budapest residents.”

Orbán’s upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates

The Rákosrendező brownfield area is in north-eastern Budapest’s 14th district, which is subject to conflicting development plans by the government and the municipality,
Concerning Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates, Karácsony said

“if the prime minister represents Hungary … he will be obliged to tell his business partners that the shady mini-Dubai project is off the table.”

He said the “scandalous” purchase agreement of the project site and the prime minister’s visit were just a few days apart, adding “but this is mere coincidence, what else could it be?”
Karácsony pledged to “preserve Budapest’s sovereignty and its gold reserves” and he suggested that “the prime minister could inform his business partners and watch the city council’s Wednesday meeting online”. Karácsony has said that Budapest enjoys pre-emption rights over the entire Rákosrendező area, insisting that the legal situation was “clear and unequivocal”.

Mini-Dubai issue, key news in chronological order:

UPDATE

Later on Monday, Karácsony said the state had sent the capital’s Budapesti Közművek company a call to exercise its right of pre-emption for the entire Rákosrendező area. In a Facebook post, he said the “smart-aleck” government had been “talking nonsense in recent days” regarding the pre-emption rights are whether they existed or not.

“We will exercise our right of pre-emption, and Rákosrendező will become Park City instead of a mini-Dubai,” he added.

New government measures to boost SMEs: €10M hiring fund and successful investment support program

worker

The Ministry of National Economy has earmarked a €10 million recruitment fund for businesses, and the investment support scheme seems to have attracted a large number of applicants, proving the usefulness of the plan.

Govt launches HUF 4.1bn scheme to boost headcount at SMEs

On Monday, State Secretary for Employment Policy Sándor Czomba announced the launch of a EUR 10m (HUF 4.1bn) program to support capacity expansions and new hires at SMEs.

Businesses may apply for up to almost EUR 6,200 (HUF 2.5m) per new hire –who must be jobseekers — to cover part of payroll costs and spending on equipment. The subsidies are for a period of six months, but applicants must pledge to keep the new hires employed for at least a year. Czomba said the program, with an application deadline of February 14, could support 1,700 new hires. During the previous phase of the scheme, he noted that some 560 SMEs had received support for close to 3,000 hires.

Close to 2,000 businesses apply for the Demján Sándor scheme SME investment support

Close to 2,000 small and medium-sized businesses submitted applications for the investment support component of the government’s Demján Sándor scheme on the January 23 deadline, the National Economy Ministry said at the weekend.

Out of the around 6,800 companies that pre-registered, some 1,885 applicants requested a combined HUF 136.9bn in investment funding, it added. Companies could apply for funding between HUF 5m and HUF 200m. The funding documents are expected to be issued in April 2025 and applicants will have 12 months to implement the investments and competitiveness improvements they planned.

As we wrote few days earlier, The government is weighing the addition of more products to an online platform that monitors the prices of a broad range of food at Hungary’s biggest supermarket chains, details HERE.

Also interesting is that many guest workers leave Hungary to work in other countries, prompting PM Orbán to introduce stricter measures. Read details HERE.

FM Szijjártó: guarantees needed before voting for extending anti-Russia sanctions

FM Szijjártó anti-Russia sanctions

The foreign minister has said that before he meets EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday, he wants to make clear that “guarantees are needed either from Ukraine or from the European Union” on Hungary’s future energy security.

Péter Szijjártó said in an interview to public radio on Sunday that putting the Hungarian economy and energy security at risk would be a red line for Hungary. The EU foreign ministers are scheduled tomorrow to decide whether to extend the existing sanctions against Russia, he noted. “Our position has been consistent day in day out: sanctions are harmful,” he said, adding that they caused far greater damage to Europe’s economy than to Russia’s.

Rather than bringing peace closer, sanctions only served to reduce living standards in Europe while causing economic damage to European countries, he added. Hungary, Szijjártó said, had “fought hard” against sanctions so as to prevent harm to national security and strategic interests. Brussels had not so far managed to enforce sanctions against Hungary’s will when it came to gas deliveries or nuclear industrial cooperation, he added.

FM Szijjártó anti-Russia sanctions
Photo: FB/Szijjártó

He added, however, that the EU “turns its head the other way” or even encourages Ukraine “to behave shamelessly” towards certain EU countries. Szijjártó noted the restrictions of energy shipments to Hungary and Slovakia, and he insisted that “attacks” had been made against the TurkStream pipeline.

He said Hungary and other central European EU member states were being threatened by a country bidding to become an EU member, while the European Commission tried to convince Hungary to ease sanctions and allow Ukraine “to play us for fools” when it came to energy security. “This won’t work in the future; we’ve made that clear,” he said. Szijjártósaid the government represented Hungarian interests. “For us Hungary comes first,” he added.

He noted that he had spoken to EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas on Saturday and told her that Hungary “expects both her and [EU] leaders” to act in the interests of EU member states, and not “represent us externally while not representing others internally”. The minister said that all democracy meant in Brussels was bureaucrats and larger member states laying down the law and interpreting rules “just how they want to”. European rules, he added, “clearly stipulate that unanimity is required on sanctions”. “But they’re already saying that in the absence of unanimity, certain rules will be interpreted differently.”

“Does the law have force [or not]?” Szijjártó said if the decision is not made unanimously, “then they would rape” the European rule of law and democracy by seeking a solution to political foreign policy issues through majority decision-making. Attacks against Hungary under the guise of “rule of law”, he said were in fact political attacks.

Read also:

  • Polish PM Tusk: Orbán is in Putin’s team if blocks sanctions; FM Szijjártó: Tusk is a Soros-agent
  • PM Orbán vetoes the extension of anti-Putin sanctions!

Drivers beware: Speeding penalties in Hungary reach new heights

Speeding penalties in Hungary have become extra high

Speeding penalties in Hungary have risen dramatically following a series of tragic accidents that claimed innocent lives. In response, the Hungarian government has increased fines by a staggering 67%. For instance, a driver exceeding the speed limit by just 17 km/h—reaching 67 km/h in a 50 km/h zone—now faces a penalty of HUF 50,000 (approximately EUR 122).

Speeding penalties in Hungary increased by 67%

According to vezess.hu, a Hungarian media outlet focused on driving and automotive news, the state collected a record HUF 26.2 billion in speeding fines in 2023. The minimum fine, which had been HUF 30,000 until 1 September 2023, has now risen to HUF 50,000, marking an increase of 67% in less than two years. The maximum speeding penalties in Hungary have similarly surged to HUF 468,000 (around €1,150).

This hike in speeding penalties in Hungary is partly a response to a series of horrific accidents linked to speeding. One of the most tragic incidents occurred in July 2023 when a speeding car struck a cyclist before colliding with another vehicle on Budapest’s Árpád Bridge. Several people were injured in the accident, and the cyclist tragically died in hospital. The cause of the crash was a spontaneous speed race. This incident, along with others, sparked widespread public outcry, prompting local authorities to take action. For example, Budapest’s Mayor Gergely Karácsony has announced plans to install new speed cameras across the city.

Speed cameras in a police car (Copy)
Speed camera inside a police car. The speed cameras in question are installed devices. Photo: FB/Hungarian Police

Speeding penalties in Hungary compared to neighbours

When compared to neighbouring countries, the speeding penalties in Hungary are notably steep. Vezess.hu reports that Austria, Germany, and Spain impose fines that are typically half, or even a quarter, of Hungary’s penalties. The publication compared Hungary’s fines to those in Austria, Romania, and Slovakia, finding that Romania’s penalties are either comparable to or even higher than those in Hungary. On the other hand, fines for minor speeding in Austria and Slovakia are lower than in Hungary. However, drivers who exceed the speed limit by significant amounts—such as travelling at 200 km/h on a motorway—may face substantially higher fines in Austria, with penalties reaching up to five or six times those in Hungary.

The media outlet also compared speeding fines relative to the average wages in each country. In Hungary, a driver travelling at 67 km/h in a 50 km/h zone would pay the equivalent of 8.55% of the average monthly wage. In Romania, this figure is 8.2%, while in Slovakia it is a much lower 3.15%. In Austria, however, the rate is just 0.66%. This comparison reveals that both Romania and Hungary have significantly higher penalties relative to average wages.

Speeding penalties in Hungary have become extra high
Photo: depositphotos.com

Speed limits and fines in Hungary

Hungarian regulations tend to impose the highest fines when drivers significantly exceed the speed limit. For example, if a driver speeds at 200 km/h on a motorway, where the speed limit is 130 km/h, the fine would consume 24% of their monthly income in Hungary. In Romania, this figure is slightly higher at 24.6%, while in Slovakia it jumps to 44.2%. In Austria, however, the fine could account for as much as 48% of the average monthly wage.

Here are the speed limits for passenger cars, motorcycles, and vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of up to 3.5 tonnes in Hungary:

  • Highways: 130 km/h
  • Main roads: 110 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
  • Within built-up areas: 50 km/h

Many Hungarian drivers face fines on sections of roads where the speed limit is lower than usual, but warning signs can often be difficult to notice.

For more details on speeding penalties in Hungary, click HERE.

Read also:

  • Shocking: Over 10,000 speeding drivers caught in just 4 days in Budapest – read more HERE
  • Will the cars of motorists driving far above the speed limit be seized in Budapest? – details in THIS article

Featured image: depositphotos.com

What does FM Szijjártó know? He called for ‘protection’ of TurkStream pipeline

szijjártó poland friendship

Ensuring the security of gas supplies would be impossible without TurkStream, so the pipeline must be protected at all costs, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs, said on Saturday, calling on the European Union to stand up for the energy security of Hungary and central Europe.

After phone talks with the Turkish energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Szijjártó said on Facebook that “several worrying decisions have been made in our neighbourhood that pose challenges to the security of our energy supplies.”

TurkStream is currently the most important pipeline in terms of Hungary’s gas supply, he said. “Deliveries are currently uninterrupted, but so are physical, political and financial attacks against the pipeline.” Szijjártó said he and Bayraktar had agreed that “the attacks against TurkStream are outrageous and unacceptable. We must protect TurkStream at all costs!”

He also called it unacceptable that “the EU and other foreign institutions are ignoring the attacks that put the energy security of Hungary and other central European countries at risk.” He called on the EU to stand up for the region’s energy security and guarantee “that no foreign player impedes the energy security of our country and the region.”

Read also:

  • Polish PM Tusk: Orbán is in Putin’s team if blocks sanctions; FM Szijjártó: Tusk is a Soros-agent – read more HERE
  • New direct flights to New York, Washington from Budapest on the horizon?

Hungarian government international spokesperson received prestigious US award

Zoltán Kovács and Donald Trump Jr award

Zoltán Kovács, the state secretary for international communications and relations at the Prime Minister’s Office, has received a Safari Club International award.

Kovács said he accepted the International Legislator of the Year award for his work in recent years and during Hungary’s EU presidency.

He said in a post on his Facebook page on Saturday that the award from one of the weightiest international hunting and nature conservation organisations was presented before an audience of 3,700 at the US-based body’s annual conference in Nashville.

Zoltán Kovács and Donald Trump Jr award
Zoltán Kovács and Donald Trump Jr in Nashville. Photo: FB/Zoltán Kovács

Kovács paid tribute to Hungarian professionals, foresters, hunters and nature conservationists who had ensured that “Hungary remains a stronghold of common-sense nature conservation and the preservation of traditional hunting values in Europe.”

In his speech, Kovács emphasised the importance of cooperation between various American, international and Hungarian organisations, and he highlighted tasks facing people involved in environmental protection and sustainable wildlife management in light of the “common sense” agenda of President Donald Trump.

Read also:

  • From Hungary to the USA: Donald Trump’s Surprising Hungarian Noble Lineage Revealed! – read more HERE
  • Political Satire or Musical Masterpiece? Majka’s latest song tops lists in Hungary, UK, Germany, Romania!

Hungary’s housing market skyrockets in 2025: Why are investors turning to Hungarian real estate?

Housing

The housing market in Hungary has surged in 2025, with significant price increases. The main drivers of this rise in demand are the release of pension savings and the decline in yields on the previously lucrative government bond market, which are encouraging more and more people to invest their money in property. This phenomenon has triggered a substantial boom, particularly in the market for one- and one-and-a-half-bedroom flats, where nearly all sales are taking place rapidly as prices escalate.

In contrast, competition is less intense for detached houses and larger apartments, providing buyers with the opportunity to monitor price developments more closely and negotiate if necessary. Despite government targets for affordable housing, the measures have had the opposite effect, and prices have continued to rise.

Housing
Source: Pixabay

Investing or building a home?

According to Szeretlek Magyarország, an analysis of current trends in the housing market reveals two distinct groups of buyers: those looking to purchase their own home and those seeking investment opportunities. Investors are particularly attracted to 1–1.5-bedroom semi-detached houses, as these are easy to let, have low maintenance costs, and can be sold quickly if required. Bargaining in this market is virtually impossible.

Those in search of larger apartments or detached houses, on the other hand, may prefer to wait, as price increases in these types of properties are currently driven more by psychological than actual demand pressures.

Shocking Eurostat data shows how property prices skyrocketed in Hungary between 2010 and 2024 hungary news
Photo: depositphotos.com

Compared with recent years, government bond yields are no longer competitive with the potential returns offered by real estate. While rental yields from real estate may be lower on their own, when combined with capital appreciation, they now present a more attractive alternative. Consequently, real estate has become the preferred choice for investors.

However, it is important to note that the real estate market has already passed the point where buyers could acquire properties at significantly advantageous prices. Following the announcement of initial government measures, sellers reacted swiftly by raising prices, which have now stabilised at high levels and are unlikely to decrease substantially in the near future.

Regional differences in Hungary: Budapest and its surroundings

The housing market in the capital remains the most active in Hungary, with significant price disparities between districts. According to Világgazdaság, average prices per square metre exceeded HUF 1.3 million (EUR 3,171) in District V and District XII, while in District II, homebuyers spent an average of HUF 120 million (EUR 292,683) per property.

Top Hungary news Hungarian parliament Budapest
Photo: depositphotos.com

New developments and infrastructure investments, such as the Grand Budapest project, have had a significant impact on local prices, particularly in Zugló and Újbuda, where the value of second-hand properties has risen alongside new housing. The largest housing price increases, ranging from 18% to 20%, were observed in Újbuda’s property market, the most dynamic in the capital.

Less sought-after areas of the capital, such as Csepel and Soroksár, continue to offer more affordable prices. In Soroksár, the average price per square metre is HUF 571,000 (EUR 1,393), significantly lower than in the city centre, making it an attractive option for buyers on a lower budget.

The regulation of short-term housing has had a noticeable impact on the investor market. In District VI, where prices per square metre previously exceeded HUF 1 million (EUR 2,439), these regulations have reduced demand and moderated prices. This has created opportunities for those seeking property for owner occupation or long-term rental.

Experience shows that once prices reach a higher level, they are very unlikely to decline. Even during economic downturns, sellers often wait rather than lowering prices. Therefore, buyers may need to adjust to current prices, especially for smaller investment properties, where no significant changes are expected. To ensure a successful purchase, experts advise buyers to stay well-informed, view multiple properties, and carefully consider their options. Sellers, on the other hand, are encouraged to list their properties at realistic prices and take market feedback into account.

Read also:

Polish PM Tusk: Orbán is in Putin’s team if blocks sanctions; FM Szijjártó: Tusk is a Soros-agent

Donald Tusk and President Zelensky Orbán eu sanctions

“If PM Viktor Orbán really blocks European sanctions at a key moment for the war, it’ll be absolutely clear that in this big game for the security and future of Europe, he is playing in Putin’s team, not in ours. With all the consequences of this fact”, the Polish prime minister wrote in an X port. FM Szijjártó reacted to the harsh message from Warsaw by saying the PM Tusk was a Soros agent, which means that the official Hungarian-Polish relationship reached a historic low.

Hungary will not pay the price of other people’s wars, “and we won’t allow anyone to put our energy security at risk”, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has said in reaction to a post of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Tusk, who also holds the rotating presidency of the European Council, said on Facebook in Polish: “If [Prime Minister] Viktor Orbán actually blocks European sanctions … it will become absolutely clear that … he is playing for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s team, not on ours.”

Donald Tusk and President Zelensky Orbán eu sanctions
Tusk and Zelensky. Photo: FB/Tusk

Szijjártó on Saturday responded on Facebook: “This may be hard for an agent of Soros to understand, but if it comes to teams, we are playing on the Hungarian team. That’s why we represent Hungarian interests: we aren’t willing to pay the price of the wars of others, and we won’t allow anyone to put Hungary’s energy supply at risk. Because for us, it’s Hungary first.”

Later on Saturday, Szijjártó had talks over the phone with Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign and security affairs chief. Szijjártó noted that the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council will meet on Monday to decide whether the sanctions against Russia should be maintained. “The picture is clear: we won’t pay the price of other people’s wars or at the same time allow our energy security to be put at risk,” he said. “There is no need to try to convince us; what we need are guarantees from Ukraine,” he added.

Europe needs peace, not war, political director Orbán says

Europe needs peace since, regardless of the war’s outcome, it stands to lose if the war continues, the prime minister’s political director, Balázs Orbán, told a conference in Budapest on Saturday. Orbán told the Peace Conference organised by the Rubicon Institute that ending the conflict was “in Europe’s fundamental interest”, and this should happen “as soon as possible”, he said.

According to “relevant literature”, interstate wars lasting more than a year were “the most dangerous” as they threatened to last for decades, Orbán said. “The longer a war lasts, the harder it is to conclude it,” he explained. Further, conflicts without parallel negotiations were usually the “bloodiest, the highest-intensity conflicts”, he added.

He said starting the negotiations did not require a detailed peace plan in advance, as the first step would be a ceasefire. “For peace, we need to restore communication, achieve a truce and active mediation, not sanctions and threats,” he said.

Read also:

  • From Hungary to the USA: Donald Trump’s Surprising Hungarian Noble Lineage Revealed – read more HERE
  • PM Orbán vetoes the extension of anti-Putin sanctions – details in THIS article

Year of Culture started in the Carpathian Basin

Hungarian government 'we stand by Szekler freedom' Year of Culture

The government is launching the Year of Culture in the Carpathian Basin in 2025, making all government-funded cultural programmes available in the region, Minister of Culture and Inovation Balazs Hanko said on Friday.

Speaking before the annual meeting of cultural institution heads, Hankó said a new ticket called ‘Shared Treasure’ would be introduced from the summer, offering a discount to Hungarian families visiting cultural institutions. He said several institutions including the Hungarian Opera of Cluj-Napoca and the Csokonai National Theatre of Debrecen would be added to the category of culturally strategic institutions in 2025.

Hungarian Speaker marks Culture Day in Serbia

We believe that Hungarians are not a nation of demise but one of survival in the Carpathian Basin,” László Kövér, the speaker of parliament, said in northern Serbia’s Senta (Zenta) on Friday, at a ceremony marking the Day of Hungarian Culture. “Hungarians have a mission; they represent strength together, and they are weak when apart,” Kövér said.

“The throb of Hungarian vitality in the Carpathian Basin is not measured in decades but in centuries … the Hungarian spirit will always make up for the lives lost through history and even increase the number of Hungarians,” he said. Referring to ethnic Hungarians in Vojvodina, Kövér said it was “the Hungarian nation’s strongest community”, which survived three wars in the 20th century, thriving in their own homeland.

Speaker László Kövér Year of Culture
Photo: MTI

“The strength of Vojvodina Hungarians is not in their number but in their soul,” he added. In his address, the house speaker affirmed the Hungarian government’s commitment to providing assistance to ethnic kin “so that nobody should leave their homeland for reasons of livelihood”. At the ceremony, Kövér was awarded the golden plaque of the Vojvodina Hungarian Cultural Association in recognition for his efforts to strengthen the ethnic Hungarian community and unity within the Hungarian nation.

Read also:

  • From Ruins to Glory: How Budapest preserved its historical treasures
  • New York Café, the World’s Greatest Coffee House, opens at night from March in Budapest – PHOTOS and details in THIS article

More Hungarians travel abroad: should we be happy?

Budapest Airport travel abroad

Increased household spending on travel abroad signals strengthening consumer confidence, the National Economy Ministry said in a press release on Friday.

Around 250,000 more Hungarians travelled abroad in December than in the same period a year earlier, the ministry said, while noting a longer than usual holiday. About 212,000 Hungarians took flights abroad from Liszt Ferenc International in December, up 19pc from the base period. The most popular destinations were London, Istanbul and Dubai.

Trips abroad by car rose 5pc year-on-year to 107,000 in December. The biggest increase in cross-border traffic was in the direction of Austria and Slovakia. The ministry said the increase in trips abroad was supported by dynamic real wage growth over a period of more than a year.

Oman Air travel abroad
Source: Daily News Hungary

Read also:

Political Satire or Musical Masterpiece? Majka’s latest song tops lists in Hungary, UK, Germany, Romania!

Majka Csurran Cseppen Facebook

Majka’s new music called “Csurran, cseppen” has become one of the most exciting cultural phenomena in Hungarian public life recently. The story of the clip focuses on the corrupt leader of a fictional country, the prime minister of Bindzsisztán, who is forced to admit to government abuses during an interview in the wake of a truth serum.

The character of Pandur Pjetrö, brought to life with ingenious make-up and lyrics, not only entertains but also carries provocative political overtones. Although the character of the Prime Minister does not visually resemble Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the references in the lyrics are difficult to interpret otherwise.

Majka Csurran Cseppen Facebook
Source: Facebook / Majka

The timing of the release and what came after

The release of Majka’s latest song is significant in more ways than one. On the one hand, it comes at a politically charged time, when Viktor Orbán, who has been in power for 15 years, is meeting a serious challenger for the first time in the person of Péter Magyar. On the other hand, Majka’s career has also reached a turning point after he left TV2 in 2023 and returned to RTL, according to Telex. At the same time, his music career has also continued to grow, with his concerts and hits being a huge success.

Csurran, cseppen has not only made a big splash in Hungary, but has also become popular with an international audience. In its first three days on YouTube, it received more than four million views and, according to HVG, also topped trending lists in several countries, including Germany, the UK and Romania. The online reaction was almost immediate, with the song becoming both a fan favourite and a central topic of political discourse. The song’s criticism of the government and satirical style sparked huge debates on social media, with fans and critics alike voicing their opinions on Majka’s intentions and political stance.

Majka’s political position

One of the issues raised because of the song is Majka’s political identity, which has been a constant focus of attention in recent years. The rapper was for a long time the face of NER-affiliated TV2, and many people have been sceptical about his public statements. Although he has previously claimed to be uninterested in politics, Majka has in recent years been increasingly critical of both the government and the opposition.

According to Telex, the rapper has openly stated that he is not affiliated with any political side but simply stands up against injustice. However, this independence is often a double-edged sword: while some respect him for his outspokenness and credibility, others accuse him of hypocrisy, especially for his past association with TV2.

One of Majka’s most defining traits is his frankness. This attitude, however, is not only evident in his music but also in his public statements. In recent years, he has spoken out on issues such as the problems of the Hungarian music industry, the injustice of social subsidies and government measures. Although Majka stresses that he is neither on the side of the government nor the opposition, his critical tone often provokes controversy.

Majka’s new clip is not only a satirical political piece but also a comprehensive social vision. The success of Csurran, cseppen shows that Hungarian audiences are receptive to this type of content, which both entertains and raises critical questions. Majka has proven once again that he is able to remain relevant in Hungarian cultural life while constantly redefining himself.

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Hungarian police officers serving in other countries to stop illegal migration

Hungarian police Budapest Airport Wizz Air scuffle (Copy)

Hungary’s police force is cooperating with the police forces of several other countries in curbing illegal migration, the National Police Headquarters (ORFK) said on police.hu on Friday.

Hungarian police contributed to patrols along the Serbia-North Macedonia border as part of an integrated border management projects financed from a non-refundable grant of over 3 billion forints, ORFK said in a statement. The Hungarian police’s efforts ensured that certain unlawful acts related to illegal migration were uncovered farther south of the European Union’s external borders, they said.

Meanwhile, a Czech police continent’s presence on the Hungary-Serbia border ensured more resources and flexibility for police efforts, the statement added. The Hungarian police were also aided by their Turkish colleagues who helped with inspecting traffic on the Hungary-Serbia and Hungary-Romania border sections, ORFK said.

Romania Hungary bordor control Schengen Hungarian police
Photo: MTI/Czeglédi Zsolt

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  • Schengen sparks migration boom: What it means for Hungary and Romania! – read more HERE

Orbán Cabinet calculates at HUF 1,000/EUR for Rákosrendező’s Grand Budapest project?

forint wage growth salary money rákosrendező

János Lázár, Hungary’s Minister for Construction and Transport, recently claimed in a Facebook post that Budapest’s leadership could purchase the Rákosrendező area for HUF 5,000 billion (€12.25 billion). However, the Hungarian government’s contract with the United Arab Emirates regarding the Grand Budapest project includes an agreement to encourage an investment of EUR 5 billion. Moreover, this valuation is based on a highly dubious exchange rate: 1,000 forints per euro.

Orbán cabinet calculates at HUF 1,000/EUR concerning Rákosrendező?

Dávid Vitézy, a mayoral candidate from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party and a member of the Budapest Municipal Council, shared the figures on his Facebook page. Vitézy remarked that Lázár’s calculations appeared to assume an exchange rate of HUF 1,000 to the euro.

As previously reported, the leadership of Budapest opposes the Hungarian government’s agreement with the United Arab Emirates regarding the development of the Rákosrendező area. The deal permits the UAE to nominate one or more companies to construct buildings as high as 500 metres in the heart of the city. The Hungarian government has also pledged to implement substantial traffic and infrastructure developments in the area, stipulating that the UAE would pay the purchase price (€122 million for the 850,000-square-metre site near the city centre) only after these improvements are completed.

The Rákosrendező area
Photo: FB/Vitézy

In return, the UAE is “encouraged” to carry out €5 billion in development on the site. Mayor Gergely Karácsony, however, announced this week that Budapest holds pre-emption rights to the territory and wishes to purchase it for €122 million, the same price the UAE is expected to pay.

The Hungarian government has disputed this claim, arguing that the UAE’s development plans justify a far higher valuation. According to the Orbán administration, Budapest would need to pay at least HUF 5,000 billion (€12.25 billion) to acquire the area—despite the UAE’s contractual obligation being a €5 billion development. For the government’s figures to make sense, the exchange rate would need to plummet to 1,000 forints per euro.

City development or loss of sovereignty?

Experts believe the forint will continue to weaken this year, as the government aims to maintain Hungary’s competitiveness. However, they predict an exchange rate of around 420 HUF/EUR. R. A rate of 500 HUF/EUR would be shocking for Hungarian society, let alone 1,000.

The Hungarian government contends that the Rákosrendező project represents a unique opportunity to attract capital to revitalise the derelict area. Officials argue that Budapest’s leadership has been incapable of improving the site, with piles of rubbish left untouched for years. From the government’s perspective, the UAE investment ensures renewal and progress.

On the other hand, opposition politicians, including Budapest’s leadership, accuse the Orbán government of sacrificing national sovereignty. They argue that the agreement hands a prime piece of Hungary’s capital to foreign investors, allowing luxury developments such as high-end apartments, office buildings, or even a “Trump Tower” (a controversial proposal previously reported HERE). The opposition insists that the land should be used to address Budapest’s urgent housing crisis rather than catering to speculative developments.

Here is what Budapest’s leaderhips wants: the Park City

Park City Project Budapest (Copy)
Source: FB/Karácsony

A 500-metre-high skyscraper near downtown?

One of the most contentious aspects of the project is the possibility of constructing a 500-metre-high skyscraper near Budapest’s city centre. Dávid Vitézy highlighted this provision, noting that the government’s contract with the UAE explicitly permits such construction. Critics argue that such a structure would irrevocably alter the skyline of Budapest, which is currently dominated by historic architecture. Even János Lázár has voiced reservations about the proposal.

Although the government technically retains veto power over the UAE’s plans, the contract obliges it to remove all legal or bureaucratic obstacles to the development. Should these obstacles not be resolved, the UAE is not required to pay the purchase price.

Trump Tower Budapest AI image
An AI visual of the skyscrapers. Photo: FB/Vitézy

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  • Devastating explosion in downtown Budapest, multiple injuries, 40 firefighters against the flames – read more HERE
  • New airport in northeast Hungary could open this spring

Featured image: depositphotos.com

Latvian MEP Vaidere attacked Hungarian presidency?

Inese Vaidere Hungarian EU Presidency

The state secretary in charge of international communications and relations on Friday condemned Latvian European People’s Party MEP Inese Vaidere for her “recent attack on the Hungarian presidency in a paid advertisement”.

Zoltán Kovács said on Facebook the advertisement showed that “in recent months Vaidere must have been sitting in the cinema looking in the wrong direction”.

Kovács said she had missed the approval of the European competitiveness pact, and the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria. “She has also failed to see that Hungary was keeping European Union interests in mind, not only its own interests, when it urged for peace and said no to migration,” he added.

Kovács said one must not forget that “Hungary has been protecting EU borders since 2015, whereas Brussels has only thought of dealing with border protection now”.

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Hundreds of Hungarian athletes to compete in LA28 Olympics

LA28 Olympic Games Ádám Schmidt Hungarian athletes

Around 370 Hungarians sportspeople are expected to be allocated places for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the state secretary for sport said on Thursday.

Ádám Schmidt told a professional conference focusing on the achievements of Hungarian sports in 2024 that the 19 medals received by Hungarians in the Paris Olympics could be considered a success, though European Olympic achievements had been “going in the wrong direction and we would like to stop and reverse that trend in relation to Hungary”.

Schmidt noted a new sports support system in Hungary, with Olympics sports grouped into five categories, and there is closer cooperation with the university of physical education. He added that under a programme dubbed LA10, Hungary aims for 10 golds or to be among the top 10 nations in terms of gold medals.

LA28 Olympic Games Ádám Schmidt Hungarian athletes
Ádám Schmidt. Photo: MTI

He said that 3 billion forints (EUR 7.3m) has been allocated to prepare Hungarian athletes competing in LA28.

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National Hauszmann Programme reaches new milestone: Here are the plans for the renewed Hunyadi Court – PHOTOS

National Hauszmann Programme Hunyadi Court

The National Hauszmann Programme has reached a new milestone with the completion of plans for the renewed Hunyadi Court. This step in the Buda Castle Palace’s revitalisation restores historic elements while enhancing functionality.

The National Hauszmann Programme

The National Hauszmann Programme is a Hungarian government initiative focused on the restoration, redevelopment, and modernisation of the historic Buda Castle District in Budapest, Hungary. Launched in 2019, the programme is named after Alajos Hauszmann, a renowned 19th-century Hungarian architect who played a key role in shaping the architectural character of the Buda Castle area.

New milestone

The National Hauszmann Programme has recently shared on its Facebook page that the programme has reached a new milestone. The visual plans for the renewed Hunyadi Court have been completed as part of the National Hauszmann Programme, marking another step in the ambitious rebirth of the Buda Castle Palace. The court will be redesigned to align with its historic surroundings, incorporating elements of Alajos Hauszmann’s architectural vision. A key aspect of the project involves restoring the original level of Szent György Street, which leads to the court, and widening the street for improved accessibility.

National Hauszmann Programme Hunyadi Court
Photo: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

Greenery and timeless aesthetic

As part of the restoration, the court will feature period-specific details such as paving stones, granite elements and benches, all contributing to the area’s timeless aesthetic. The National Hauszmann Programme also places great importance on preserving and enhancing greenery within the court. Flower beds with irrigation systems and trees will complement the renewed design, blending natural beauty with architectural heritage. This thoughtful attention to detail underscores the programme’s commitment to reviving the grandeur of the Buda Castle District while ensuring it remains a vibrant and welcoming space for visitors.

National Hauszmann Programme Hunyadi Court
Photo: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

Original levels and pathways

The eastern route of the renewed court will see the restoration of the original Hauszmann square level, three metres higher than its current state. On the western side, the Hunyadi Court will remain accessible at its present level to maintain openness, as the former stable building will not be reconstructed.

National Hauszmann Programme Hunyadi Court
Photo: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

A limestone retaining wall will divide the two paths, merging gracefully in front of the Guardhouse. The upper path will lead towards the Matthias Fountain, while the lower path will guide visitors to the Lion Gate. These careful adjustments will ensure the area remains historically accurate while enhancing functionality.

National Hauszmann Programme Hunyadi Court
Photo: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

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