National Economy Minister Márton Nagy met with a number of Albanian ministers and the governor of Albania’s central bank during a visit to Albania on Thursday, his minister said in statement on Friday.
Nagy met with Blendi Gonxhja, the minister for economy, culture and innovation; Petrit Malaj, the finance minister; Anila Denaj, the minister for agriculture and rural development; and Gent Sejko, the governor of the central bank.
The sides discussed bilateral economic ties, areas in which cooperation could be enhanced, and the state of Albania’s European Union integration.
Hungarian-Albanian ties are strong and there are over 20 state, intergovernmental or interministerial agreements between the two countries, the ministry said. Cooperation between the waterworks companies of Budapest and Tirana is “stable, fruitful and constructive”, it added.
Photo: MTI
The government offers 20 scholarships a year to Albanian students to enroll at Hungarian universities. The advancement of bilateral ties have also been supported by a direct Wizz Air flight between Budapest and Tirana launched with the support of the Hungarian government in 2021, the ministry said.
Last year, bilateral trade between Hungary and Albania reached EUR 130m. Hungarian-owned OTP Bank Albania is the country’s fifth-biggest credit institution in terms of total assets, while Hungary’s 4iG leads the mobile and fixed-line telecommunications markets.
Hungary backs the EU integration of Albania and the Western Balkans, Nagy said, adding that it was in the EU’s interest for those dynamically expanding economies to join as soon as possible.
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Orbán cabinet wants Albania to become an EU member – read more HERE
We reported on Monday that the National Athletics Centre in South Pest was opened to the public with multiple outdoor sports equipment that can serve and entertain kids, adults, athletes and the general public. Now, it seems both the Orbán cabinet and the leadership of the capital are committed to building the promised students’ city near it.
Chinese university campus planned to be built in South Pest
Years ago, it sparked serious public outcry and heated political debates that one of the world’s best universities, the Shanghai-based Fudan University, would open a campus in Budapest. Some politicians claimed the university would spread the Communist ideology in Budapest and Hungary, being a national security threat not only in Hungary but also in the European Union.
Furthermore, the government decided to provide land, teaching and research facilities for the new campus in Budapest’s 9th district and the 21st district, Csepel. What’s more, the location of the new campus would have been in the place of another government promise, the so-called students’ town, which aimed to ease the housing crisis hitting especially university students in Budapest.
A visual of the future students’ city. https://www.facebook.com/snohetta
Budapest resisted
The opposition-led Budapest municipal council did what it could. They renamed some streets in the future area to Free Hong Kong Road, Uyghur Martyrs’ Road, Dalai Lama Road, and Bishop Xie Shiguang Road, the last referring to a persecuted Chinese Catholic priest.
Moreover, the united opposition wanted to hold a referendum about the Chinese university, but the Supreme Court declined that in May 2022. Later, a similar drive for a Budapest referendum was haltedbecause the Democratic Coalition ceased backing it.
No activity of the Fudan Foundation found
Now, it seems the problem could be solved soon. Despite Hungary having a foundation to run the local campus of Fudan University, the institution does not show signs of life. One of the opposition MPs, Márton Tompos, currently the President of the Momentum Movement, triedto gain more information about the Foundation’s activity after the institution failed to submit its report to the Hungarian National Assembly despite it being their legal obligation. However, MP Tompos could not speak to anybody at the foundation headquarters.
New foundation to construct students’ town, making South Pest a student paradise
The Hungarian Parliament may reshuffle the Fudan Foundation next Thursday to become a unit charged with supervising the building of the future students’ town in South Budapest. Gergely Gulyás, the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, said during a previous press conference that the Orbán cabinet would no longer like to build a campus for the Fudan University. Instead, they would like to construct a students’ town offering 10-12 thousand beds for higher education students, easing the housing crisis.
Alexandra Szentkirályi, the leader of the Fidesz group in the Budapest municipal assembly, is one of the strongest voices supporting the project. Krisztina Baranyi, the re-elected mayor of Ferencváros (9th district), the district where the students’ town will be, said they could start the construction project yesterday.
If the parliament accepts the relevant bill, the new foundation may receive additional property in Budapest’s 9th district. The new name of the institution will be Tudás-Tér Alapítvány.
If the new “town” is ready, the gate to the Csepel Island in South Pest will become a paradise for students.
Ministry launches public consultations on housing support for young Hungarians
The National Economy Ministry on Friday announced the start of public consultations on a measure to raise the threshold for non-wage benefits for housing with tax allowances. The measure would raise the threshold from an annual HUF 450,000 at present to HUF 150,000 a month or HUF 1,800,000 per year for employees under 35 from January 1, 2025.
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Great news: National Athletics Centre in Budapest is open to the general public – PHOTOS and details in THISarticle
Budapest’s 9th district eyedfor new student town to address housing shortage
A Syrianair jet landed at Budapest Airport yesterday evening, but no Hungarian airport employees were allowed to serve or even get close to the mystery aircraft. Instead, Hungarian media wrote that units of the elite military branch Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK) arrived to welcome the plane. News outlets suggest that President Bashar al-Assad took refuge in Hungary and would like to try to persuade Donald Trump through Orbán to provide American support for his fallen regime.
Rebel forces took Syria in just 11 days
According to Reuters, Syrian rebels took control of most of the country in just an 11-day-long campaign and occupied even Damascus last night. Crowds are celebrating the fall of the Assad family in the Middle Eastern country’s Homs, Damascus, Hama and other major cities while operations against “terrorist groups” continue.
Western powers are concerned because a globally designated terrorist group – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – has great influence on the forming administration. However, the former al Qaeda affiliate’s leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, promises a smooth power transition. Furthermore, “caretaker” Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali promises that Syrians will be free to choose their leaders in an upcoming democratic election.
Syria, led by the Alawite Assad family, was a bastion for Russia and Iran in the region, so Israel, among others, felt relieved by the regime’s fall. However, President Bashar al-Assad does not wish to give up yet.
A mysterious Syrian plane landed at Budapest Airport after Damascus fell
According to Reuters, media reports talk about a mystery plane taking off from Damascus airport when the Syrian capital was taken by rebel forces. First, it flew to Syria’s coastal region, where a Russian naval base and military airport is located. Then, it suddenly took a U-turn and disappeared from the maps. Although some sources say Assad was murdered on board, Magyar Hang wrote about a mystery plane that landed at Budapest Airport on Saturday evening.
Assad getting off a plane before. Is he in Budapest now? Source: Instagram/Syrian Presidency
They could not trace the plane’s flight route since it appeared out of the blue on Flightradar. Furthermore, employees of the Budapest Airport were not allowed to serve the jet. However, units of the Hungarian Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK) arrived at the airport. Moreover, everybody was forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Neither Orbánnor FM Szijjártó communicated about the event yet, and their offices also remained silent to the questions of Magyar Hang.
According to Bloomberg, Assad sent Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church Ignatius Aphrem II to PM Orbán to discuss the renewed fights in Syria and the state of the Christians in the country. The reason is that Hungary is committed to supporting persecuted Christians through one of the government’s secretariats led by State Secretary for Programmes Assisting Persecuted Christians Tristan Azbej.
Bloomberg wrote that the visit had a secret aim. Assad wanted to open diplomatic channels to President Trump, asking for help through the Hungarian prime minister.
Reuters wrote that Syria’s traditional allies, Iran and Russia, are unable to provide help for the overthrown leader due to focus on other crises.
Trump’s reaction
Donald Trump reacted to the situation in his Truth Social account and what he wrote is bad news for Assad:
“Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success. Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”
UPDATE: Fake news that a Syrian plane landed at Budapest Airport, says the airport
Budapest Airport denied that a Syrian plane landed at Budapest Airport yesterday. They added that such news could undermine public trust towards the airport, Telex reports.
UPDATE 2: Middle East Christians in Hungary’s focus, says FM Szijjártó
Hungary has a vested interest in stability in the Middle East and pays key focus to Christian communities in the region, the foreign minister said on Facebook on Sunday. Péter Szijjártó noted the government’s continued support to Christians in the region. Szijjártó said his ministry had contacted in the past few days those Hungarians living in Syria that were available, adding that none of them had so far requested assistance. The Hungarian embassy in Damascus is temporarily closed, and Hungarians seeking assistance could apply to the embassy in Beirut, which has introduced an extraordinary opening schedule, he said.
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Hungarian foreign minister: the EU should contact President Bashar al-Assad – read more HERE
Going home for Christmas? Budapest to increase airport shuttle bus frequency – details in THISarticle
The new European Commission “is now promoting in Europe the interests of private powers outside Europe” leading to further “political, economic, and social destabilisation” of the community, László Kövér, the speaker of Hungary’s parliament, told a session of the Patriots for Europe European parliamentary group in Budapest on Friday.
According to Kövér, Europe is “under a symbolic political, economic, and cultural carpet bombing”, while “the threat of an actual bombing of our continent is increasing by the day.”
Kövér said Patriotswere “the first hopeful green sprig on the tree of Europe pruned by harmful hands” adding that the group had “a mission from the Lord of History” to create the conditions to rebuild Europe in a political, economic and cultural sense. He said patriotic forces in Europe were “protecting common sense against abnormality, at the level of ideologies”; they were “protecting patriotism against globalism at the political level, and protecting nation states from EU federalism and against plans to build an European United States at a legislative level.”
Photo: MTI
Kövér also called for cooperation with patriots in the United States to protect “democratic states as institutions of legitimate public power” from “private powers lacking democratic legitimacy, seeking to subject democratic states in a clandestine way.”
The Patriots for Europeadopted a political declaration urging a stricter migration policy.
Kinga Gál, the party group’s vice-chair, said the issue of migration was in need of the most urgent action, adding that a “migration crisis” threatened Europe’s future.
The Fidesz MEP said that before the EP elections the “pro-migration majority” in Brussels had forced through “old, bad solutions” contained in the migration pact, which encouraged migration rather than seeking to prevent it. European migration policy must be put on a completely new footing, she said.
The Patriots for Europe’s proposals call for effective external border protection and a complete ban on illegal border crossings, she said. Only people who have the right to enter and stay in the EU should be able to do so, she added.
The PfE EP group in the Hungarian Parliament. Photo: MTI
Mass migration the gravest threat to Europe’s future
Jordan Bardella, the group’s chair, said mass migration was the gravest threat to Europe’s future, adding that the process was irreversible and transformed nation states, with enclaves and non-Western laws “formed everywhere”.
The group adopted a joint statement on migration at the meeting. Gal said the topic was chosen because the group saw it as the one requiring urgent action the most. “There is definitely a migration crisis in Europe, and it is threatening the continent’s future,” she said. Besides effective border control, the party group has called on the regular review of refugees’ asylum status, and asylum seekers who have committed crimes or subscribe to extremist views must be expelled from the EU, she added. They are also demanding “a firm stance against civil and lobby organisations organising illegal migration to Europe”.
They are calling on the EU to refrain from stopping member states from implementing stringent immigration regulations and for an opt-out option from the EU’s migration regulations. The EU should also withdraw all sanctions against member states for measures designed to stop illegal migration, she said.
The parties rejected the EU’s migration policy and all attempts at putting political pressure on member states and leaders fighting illegal migration effectively on their own authority, she said.
Hungary has confirmed its dedication to its pro-peace partner, Bahrein, the defence ministry said on Friday.
The ministry cited Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky saying after bilateral talks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa that cooperation was needed to handle global and regional challenges. The statement added that this was the first occasion that a Hungarian defence minister had paid an official visit to Bahrein.
The minister said that ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world posed security challenges, and Hungary’s position was that Europe’s stability is unimaginable without the stability of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). As a result, it is important to develop closer cooperation for handling global and regional challenges, he added.
Photo: FB/Szalay-Bobrovniczky
Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that Hungary was committed to ensuring the stability of the MENA region. “For this purpose, we are continually increasing our presence in the region, and we cooperate with the countries that are open to stability and partnership, such as Bahrein,” he said. “We greatly appreciate the efforts by Gulf States to strengthen the stability of the Middle East,” he added.
He also said that “the cooperation between our countries is key not only for regional but also global security,” “We aim to further expand bilateral relations, with special regard to economic, security and humanitarian cooperation,” he added.
“Hungary and Bahrein as members of the global pro-peace majority, give priority to dialogue, cooperation and peacefully settling conflicts,” he said. “The intensifying competition between great powers threatens with the re-emergence of blocs in the world. We were in agreement that this could be counterbalanced with effective cooperation based on mutual respect and building connections,” he said.
The climate for doing business amid the current circumstances remains the most favourable for big companies, exporters, foreign-owned enterprises and those in the industrial sector, a gauge of sentiment by the the Economic Research Institute (GVI) of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK) shows. Meanwhile, the industrial output edged down 0.2pc in October. Adjusted for the number of workdays, output dropped 3.1pc.
GVI’ssurvey of 2,102 managers showed small companies, dependent on domestic sales and businesses in commerce and construction were most exposed to the impact of the economic crisis.
GVI’s confidence index stood at +22 points in October, unchanged from April but three points higher than twelve months earlier.
Industrial output edges down 0.2pc in October
Output of Hungary’s industrial sector inched down 0.2pc year-on-year in October, a first reading of data released by the Central Statistics Office (KSH) on Friday shows. Adjusted for the number of workdays, output dropped 3.1pc. Output of most manufacturing branches rose in October, KSH said. Among the biggest ones, output of the automotive and electrical equipment segments declined, while output of the computer, electronics and optical equipment and the food, beverage and tobacco segments increased, it added.
The inaugurated plant of Alstom in Mátranovák in April. Illustration. Photo: MTI
In a month-on-month comparison, output rose a seasonally- and workday-adjusted 2.0pc. For the period January-October, industrial output declined 3.9pc year-on-year. KSH will release detailed data on output of industrial sector branches on December 13.
German automotive industry is the reason
Commenting on the fresh data, the National Economy Ministry said the month-on-month increase in output was reassuring. It also pointed to the “hectic” international environment as several countries in Europe faced economic and political crises at the same time. German automotive industry companies are scaling back as demand falls, with Volkswagen even planning layoffs, it added. In addition to the impact of the war in Ukraine, the circumstances are impacting the output of Hungary’s export-oriented economy and industry, the ministry said. The performance of Hungary’s industrial sector will improve as big local investments by multinationals such as CATL, BYD, BMW, SEMCORP and EcoPro are completed, it added.
Photo: Facebook/ BYD
Fiscal financing position stable, Orbán government says
Hungary’s fiscal financing position for 2025 is stable and all resources necessary for the New Economic Policy Action Plan are available, Peter Beno Banai, the state secretary for the budget, said presenting the country’s 2025 financing plan on Friday.
All conditions are in place to step up Hungary’s economic growth, Banai said. He added that Hungary had preserved its stable financing in recent years and kept its investment-grade credit rating.
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Weak car and battery factories, big drought: the Hungarian economy in technical recession – read more HERE
Hungarian opposition politician Ákos Hadházy has revealed new details about the luxurious Hatvanpuszta estate tied to PM Viktor Orbán’s father. Hadházy has challenged the Prime Minister’s claims of modest living, sparking debates on transparency and accountability within Hungary’s government.
Controversial Hungarian opposition politician teams up with French media
As Index reports, a French state television crew, assisted by Hungarian opposition politician MP Ákos Hadházy, conducted a revealing aerial investigation of the Hatvanpuszta estate, a lavish property tied to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán‘s father. Despite Orbán’s claims of modest living, the wealth accumulated by his family and close associates has far surpassed that of other Hungarians. Frustrated by the lack of domestic media coverage on the estate—nicknamed “Pusztaversailles” by Hadházy—the MP collaborated with the French crew to document the opulent complex under construction. The estate, reportedly valued at EUR 15 million, is registered in the name of Orbán’s father, Győző Orbán, though the source of its financing remains unclear.
Photo: Facebook / Hadházy Ákos
Modest way of living?
The Hungarian opposition has raised concerns over PM Viktor Orbán’s wealthy estate, which spans 6,000 square metres and features multiple swimming pools, a massive library, a grand ballroom, an underground car park, and even a tunnel. Ákos Hadházy, an independent MP and vocal critic, has used his pilot’s licence to fly over the site and document its development, likening it to a “mini-Versailles.” Speaking to French TV, Hadházy remarked that in a functional democracy, such excesses would lead to the government’s downfall.
The Hungarian opposition politician has criticised the stark contrast between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s modest personal lifestyle and the immense fortunes amassed by his family and close associates. While Orbán resides in a small village of 1,500 people, reportedly spending weekends smoking ham, those in his inner circle—including his father, son-in-law, and friends—have accumulated significant wealth. Notably, Hungary’s largest football stadium, the Puskás Arena, was constructed near his home, raising further questions about the intersection of public funds and personal proximity.
Hungarian opposition politician Hadházy writes in a Facebook post:
We also flew over Hatvanpuszta with the French public television crew, since the Hungarian party-state television has NEVER mentioned the Pusztaversailles, which symbolizes the Fidesz regime. It would all be very good if the French knew what was behind Viktor Orbán’s propaganda: the most corrupt politician in Europe, who had to lie more and more because he had stolen too much.
Asset declaration
According to Index, the Democratic Coalition challenged PM Viktor Orbán’s 2023 asset declaration, citing reports that he and his family allegedly use the Hatvanpuszta mansion, registered under his father’s name, for work meetings. Despite these claims, the property is absent from Orbán’s official declaration of assets. The Parliament’s Committee on Immunity dismissed the opposition’s case within two weeks, further fuelling criticism over transparency and accountability in Orbán’s administration.
Israel’s new foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has expressed his appreciation of Hungary’s “correct stance”, and he will soon pay a visit to Hungary, the foreign minister said in Valletta on Thursday.
“Concerning Israel, we consider it regrettable that several European leaders have made statements in the recent period that set back relations with Europe,” the ministry cited Péter Szijjártóas saying on Facebook after his meeting with Sa’ar.
“Hungary continues to urge the convening of a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council which sufficiently emphasises the strategic character of relations between the EU and Israel,” he added.
Photo: FB/Szijjártó
The new Israeli FM Sa’ar visits Hungary soon
Szijjártó said the Israeli foreign minister expressed thanks for the chance Hungary has given Israeli soccer teams to play domesctic matches here, and he assured Sa’ar that Hungary continued to offer a safe location for the Israeli national team and Israeli clubs to play matches.
“In Hungary they need not fear scandalous scenes such as those unfortunately witnessed in western Europe as a result of the spread of modern anti-Semitism,” he said.
Meanwhile, Szijjártó said Hungary was dedicated to its support for respecting the Lebanon ceasefire as it greatly contributed to the protection of Christian communities. “The Israeli foreign minister will visit Hungary soon, in mid-January,” he added.
Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Ltd inaugurated a HUF 46bn plant in Maklár (NE Hungary) on Friday. Furthermore, SK-Precíziós Szerszámgyártó inaugurates HUF 2.1bn production hall.
The investment was supported by HUF 10.5bn from the state, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said at the ceremony. He added that Hungary’s GDP growth was set to accelerate noticeably in 2025, in part because of automotive industry investments.
In two years, after manufacturing investments by Mercedes, BMW and BYD are completed, he said Hungary would be among five European countries that turn out an annual 1 million cars. Szijjártó noted that German-owned companies employed about 300,000 people in Hungary.
Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Kft managing director Michael Zink said the 37,000sqm multifunctional building would serve logistics purposes and house production of limited series products. The Bosch group in Hungary had net revenue of HUF 2,207bn in the 2023 business year.
SK-Precíziós Szerszámgyártó inaugurates HUF 2.1bn new production hall
German-owned precision tool maker SK-Precíziós Szerszámgyártó inaugurated a HUF 2.1bn production hall in Sárospatak (NE Hungary) on Friday. The state supported the investment, which created 50 jobs, with HUF 750m, Szijjártó said at the ceremony.
Photo: FB/Szijjártó
Photo: FB/Szijjártó
The plant is the German owner’s first abroad and creates an opportunity for local suppliers, he added. Last year, bilateral trade between Hungary and Germany reached EUR 70bn, he noted. Over the past ten years, German companies have invested HUF 3,800bn in Hungary, creating almost 40,000 jobs, he added.
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PM Orbán awards ‘Mr Russia’, Hungary interested in Russia’s new security system – read more HERE
PM Orbán will vetothe EU’s next budget if Brussels keeps funds frozen and says Ukraine is weak, Russia’s strong
Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, attended an international conference on a new Eurasian security framework, orchestrated by Russia. According to Russian FM Lavrov, Hungary was interested in the project, and the Hungarian foreign ministry has not denied that claim. Meanwhile, yesterday, PM Orbán decorated German businessman Klaus Mangold, who’s called ‘Mr Russia’ in his home country due to his exceptional relationships with Russia’s leaders, including President Putin.
New security architecture built by Russia
Based on a statement shared by Russian TASS, the Russian news agency, Mr Lavrov said Slovakia and Hungary were intrigued by the idea of a new security architecture for Eurasia even if the West is displeased. On Friday, Lavrov met FM Szijjártó in Valletta, Malta, to continue the so-called ‘peace mission’ the Hungarian government started after PM Orbántook the presidency of the Council of Europe in July. Lavrov and Szijjártó talked about how the war in Ukraine can be contained until Trump’s inauguration on 20 January. Furthermore, Szijjártó condemned the idea of lowering the conscription age in Ukraine. Instead, he said ceasefire and peace talks are required.
Orbán and Putin in Moscow on 5 July. Photo: FB/Orbán
But it seems Hungary would support even more in that regard: Russia would like to spearhead building a new architecture of security in Eurasia. Lavrov said Hungary is interested in that, along with Slovakia. FM Szijjártó participated in the 2nd International Conference on Eurasian security in Minsk, “after which Russia and Belarus called for developing the Eurasian Charter of diversity and multipolarity in the 21st century”, TASS wrote.
“The conference in Minsk was attended by the Foreign Minister of Hungary (Péter Szijjártó – DNH), Slovakia displays its interest as well. I believe that other countries will see a direct benefit from this in terms of promoting their long-term interests and satisfying the needs of their people”, Lavrov said.
They will continue even if the West dislikes the idea
Lavrov highlighted that the West is displeased with the initiative, but Russia would continue nevertheless.
“Regardless of whether the West wants it or not, the process of building a new architecture of security is moving forward full steam, and is already based not on the Euro-Atlantic concept, but on the understanding that the single Eurasian continent currently provides opportunities for everyone to equally safeguard everyone’s interests and build the very indivisible security, which was proclaimed in the OSCE, but was destroyed by the actions of the West. First and foremost, thanks to NATO’s reckless eastward expansion”, Lavrov concluded.
Lavrov and Szijjártó in Valletta yesterday. Photo: FB/Szijjártó
Portfolio.hu wrotethat the Hungarian foreign ministry has not commented on the issue. Before, PM Orbán and other government officials regularly cleared that Hungary’s pro-NATO commitment was unquestionable.
PM Orbán decorated “Mr Russia”
On Thursday in the Carmelite Monastery, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán awardedthe Middle Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit to Klaus Mangold, owner-managing director of Mangold Consulting GmbH and former chairman of the Executive Board of DaimlerChrysler AG, Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s press chief informed the Hungarian news agency MTI. The decoration was conferred upon Mr Mangold in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the strengthening and development of Hungarian-German economic relations.
Direkt36 discoveredmore about the controversial relationship between the Hungarian prime minister and the German businessman. First, they wrote that Mr Mangold was regularly referred to as “Mr Russia” in the German press due to his extensive network in the Russian political and business elite.
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
János Lázár introduced Mangold to Orbán
According to the media outlet, János Lázár, a hunting partner of Mangold, introduced the German businessman to Orbán in 2012. Afterwards, Mangold played a role behind the scenes in smoothing the preparations of the Russian-Hungarian negotiations over the Paks nuclear power plant expansion project.
Furthermore, European Commissioner Günther Oettinger travelled from Germany to Budapest on his private jet in 2016. Later, it was revealed that Mangold has a contract and a regular payment from Budapest covering multiple issues from digitalisation to the promotion of electric cars. After the 2018 elections, nine contracts were signed with Mangold’s company in various areas from helping facilitate German-Hungarian industrial cooperation to attracting foreign companies.
Rosatom subsidiary VP: Paks NPP expansion will cost more
According to index.hu, Aleksandr Merten, the VP of the Rosatom subsidiary Atomstroyexport, said the prices were defined by inflation, the damaged supply chains, the growing costs of building materials, and illegal migration. He said Paks II would supply electricity from the beginning of the 2030s. However, its EUR 12.5 billion cost could increase.
Photo: FB/Paks NPP
Furthermore, the deadlines may also change since the European Commission monitored the state support of the project for 2.5 years. He added that German Siemens would deliver the automatised control system of the plant. If they refused to do so, Russians would partner with the French. Laying concrete will start next March, and the Hungarian supplier rate may exceed 40%. Mr Merten said 150 Hungarian companies were working on the expansion project.
The Demján Sándor Capital Programme, an element of the Demján Sándor Programme for scaling up local SMEs, will launch with an allocation of HUF 100bn in February, the state secretary for SMEs announced on Wednesday.
The programme will make capital financing available to SMEs for expanding their range of business partners and joining new supply chains, Richárd Szabados said. The 8+1 point Demján Sándor Programme is a part of the government’s New Economic Policy Action Plan. Szabados said the Demján Sándor Capital Programme was drafted with the participation of National Capital Holding and would be implemented with the support of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK).
The details of three more elements of the Demján Sándor Programme will be announced in the coming two weeks, he added.
National Capital Holding CEO Bence Katona said companies could apply for HUF 100m-200m in the framework of the Demján Sándor Capital Programme. The Hungarian Development Bank (MFB) will subscribe the investment fund units in the scheme and MKIKwill be in charge of managing the investment fund, he added.
The scheme will not focus on any particular branch of industry, but areas designated in the government’s policy action plan, such as green economy, digitalisation, healthcare, education and sustainable industry, will enjoy an advantage, he said. Purchases of real estate will be excluded from the scheme, but the capital may be used to upgrade or expand property already in use, he added.
The deadline for completing investment projects included in the scheme will be one year, with an option for a six-month extension if justified by the circumstances, he said. He added that the capital could be used for the self-financing requirement for other credit, paving the way for companies to access up to several hundred million forints.
The rate on the state-subsidised capital financing is 5pc. To comply with legal requirements, companies will exchange a token, 1pc equity stake for the financing that carries no right of control and may be repurchased at any time.
Companies with average annual revenue of at least HUF 300m and with at least two people on payroll may apply for the financing.
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Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, had talks with his Russian and Vatican counterparts on Thursday on the sidelines of the OSCE foreign ministers’ council meeting in Valletta.
After talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, Szijjártópledged to continue pursuing the “Hungarian peace mission”, saying the war in Ukraine may be closer than ever in light of the US presidential election, yet the risk of escalation was now at its peak.
To ensure that peace remains viable by January 20, “everything must be done now to keep the channels of communication open,” he said in a Facebook post, adding that the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe was the “last suitable forum” for this.
Instead of encouraging Ukraine to lower the conscription age, “we should work towards a ceasefire and peace,” he added.
In July, PM Viktor Orbán went on a ‘peace mission’ to Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing and Mar-a-Lago after he took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. He got criticism that he did not have authorization to make such a move. Later, it became clear that he informed NATO and EU allies about his plans beforehand. Orbán has been communicating about anti-peace and pro-peace blocks ever since.
FM Szijjártó and FM Lavrov in Malta. ‘Peace mission’ continues? Photo: FB/Szijjártó
Meanwhile, referring to a meeting with Paul Richard Gallagher, his Vatican counterpart, Szijjártó said Hungary highly valued the Holy See’s “wise, pro-peace” position.
He said they were in agreement that striving for peace was “not a sign of weakness but of courage”. “Archbishop Gallagher encouraged us to pursue our efforts to save lives, establish peace and keep the channels of communication open,” he said.
Szijjártó added that Christian communities around the world were being persecuted, “and this must be stopped”. He said the atrocities against Christians in Aleppo were especially worrying.
“Hungary will carry on providing humanitarian aid with a view to protecting Christian communities facing hardships,” he said.
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Ukrainian county inhabited by Hungarians, Transcarpathia, under Russian attack – read more HERE
Hungary and Ukraine have submitted an ambitious EUR 1 billion joint infrastructure proposal to the European Union. The strategic initiative, which focuses on improving cross-border transport links, includes plans for new motorways, upgraded border crossings and the construction of a modern bridge over the Tisza River.
The project aims to strengthen economic ties between Hungary and Ukraine and their integration into wider European networks by streamlining the movement of goods and improving regional connectivity. At the core of this initiative is a commitment to create seamless transport corridors between Hungary and Ukraine.
According to Magyar Építők, the plan outlines key infrastructure upgrades that promise to reduce bottlenecks and facilitate a more efficient flow of goods and people. This important step not only strengthens bilateral relations but also contributes to the EU’s vision of a more connected Europe.
Source: Pexels
New motorways and border crossings
Two major motorway projects will transform regional connectivity. One link will connect the cities of Záhony in Hungary and Csap in Ukraine, including the construction of a state-of-the-art bridge over the Tisza River. This new infrastructure will play a key role in improving cross-border trade and mobility.
Another cornerstone of the proposal is the redevelopment of the Lonya-Haranglab border crossing, which will soon accommodate freight traffic. This development is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce delays by diverting heavy vehicles from the congested Záhony crossing.
The Beregsurány-Asztély border crossing is undergoing a major upgrade to meet the demands of increased cross-border traffic. On the Ukrainian side, a major renovation and capacity expansion is planned to triple the crossing’s throughput capacity by 2026. In particular, the site has already begun to handle empty lorry traffic, marking the first phase of a comprehensive development strategy. This progress will establish Beregsurány as a key transport hub for the region.
Plans for a new border crossing between Nagyhódos in Hungary and Nagypalád in Ukraine signal further investment in regional mobility. This will be the sixth operational crossing between the two countries. Together with improvements at Asztély and Harangláb, these developments aim to reduce congestion at existing border crossings, particularly at the busy Záhony crossing.
Long-term plans and regional impact
Hungary’s ongoing commitment to expanding its motorway network reflects its broader vision of improved connectivity with Ukraine. Notable projects include the extension of the M3 motorway from Vásárosnamény to Beregsurány and the construction of the M34 expressway towards Záhony. These investments are crucial to strengthening the infrastructure that underpins cross-border economic cooperation.
This comprehensive development programme is about more than just improving transport infrastructure. It aims to increase the competitiveness of the entire region By improving the movement of goods and enhancing road safety. The resulting economic growth will strengthen the position of Hungary and Ukraine within the European Union and its economic networks.
The programme also reflects a forward-looking approach to regional integration. It emphasises the importance of strategic partnerships and the role of robust infrastructure in promoting economic resilience. Improved connectivity will not only benefit Hungary and Ukraine, but also reinforce the EU’s commitment to building a more united and economically vibrant Europe.
European Union health ministers are scheduled to discuss smoke- and aerosol-free environments at a meeting of the council on employment, social policy, health and consumer protection in Brussels on Tuesday, Péter Takács, the state secretary for health, said.
Takács told journalists this key topic was based on the Hungarian law on the protection of non-smokers. He emphasised however that EU recommendation would not trample on the individual freedom of member states, and a ban on smoking in open spaces or on terraces was not on the agenda.
The proposals, he added, would help countries take effective measures to protect non-smokers while also aiding the EU’s plan to combat cancer.
He said cardiovascular diseases, still the top cause of death in the EU, are also high on today’s agenda, adding that emphasis would be placed on prevention, early detection, treatment methods, rehabilitation, and research.
Regarding organ donations and transplants, Takács said the aim was to enhance cooperation between member states.
After the meeting, Takács held a press conference with Olivér Várhelyi, the commissioner for health and animal welfare, and said that the Council had adopted the presidency’s recommendations on smoke- and aerosol-free environments, which further strengthened the protection of non-smokers and contributed to the EU’s goals in the fight against cancer.
The recommendations are not binding, Takács added.
The meeting also touched on connections between the “European health union” and the Draghi report, especially on boosting innovation, competitiveness and health care systems, he said. “Member states welcomed the opportunity to discuss the report … and highlighted the importance of maintaining high-quality patient care and keeping health care systems sustainable while boosting competitiveness,” he said.
Another important topic was the fight against cardiovascular diseases.
“To tackle that challenge, the Hungarian presidency has proposed adopting the Council’s conclusions on improving cardiovascular health, and today’s conclusions have emphasised that European-level measures must be strengthened, especially in prevention, early detection, screening, effective treatment, rehabilitation and research,” he said.
On the matter of organ donations and transplants, the Council conclusions are proposing revisiting an action plan to increase the circle of patients, he said.
Várhelyi said participants had agreed that a modernised, competitive and resilient European health care system was a priority. He also highlighted the importance of the supply chain and the need of further legislation to tackle “vulnerable links” in the chain, especially in the case of priority medicines.
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, visited the Szikla Street Children’s Home, intending to highlight problems in Hungary’s child protection system and draw attention to the state of the institution. However, the event strayed from its stated purpose and escalated into a heated argument between Magyar and Tamás Menczer, Fidesz’s communications director.
Before his visit, Magyar had announced his intention to enter the children’s home following reports of problems. However, the scene quickly changed with the unexpected arrival of Attila Fülöp, the Hungarian government’s state secretary for social policy, and Menczer, who blocked his entry. Witnesses described Menczer’s behaviour as aggressive and provocative, and the situation escalated into a loud, public argument.
Photo: FB/Péter Magyar
From handshake to hostility: Péter Magyar vs Tamás Menczer
Footage from the live broadcast captured a tense exchange: Magyar extended his hand to Menczer, who rejected it with a mocking comment: “Your hand is already shaking.” This set the tone for the meeting. Menczer launched into a personal attack, accusing Magyar of betraying his family and claiming that even his children refused to speak to him. In response, Magyar broke into the lyrics of the song “A börtön ablakában”, which is about someone who is in prison, further inflaming the atmosphere.
What began as a political disagreement quickly turned into a series of personal attacks, according to Telex. Menczer accused Magyar of being a “lying bastard” and compared his political career to an over-inflated balloon which is about to burst. Magyar responded by criticising Menczer’s combative behaviour, describing it as “pub behaviour”, and mocking his appearance by suggesting that Menczer should brush his teeth. Magyar even offered him medical assistance, adding to the absurdity of the exchange.
In the middle of the turmoil, Magyar’s team tried to deliver Father Christmas’s gifts to the children’s home, but the staff refused to accept them. Magyar commented on the argument: “Here he is shouting in front of a home with three-year-old children,” framing the conflict as not only politically inappropriate but morally questionable.
Photo: Tamás Menczer/FB
Reaction from the media
According to Telex, the incident provoked polarised reactions in the Hungarian media. Pro-government outlets portrayed Magyar as a provocateur making unreasonable demands, while Menczer was portrayed as a staunch defender of child protection. Magyar Nemzet, for example, claimed that Magyar “lost control and pushed Tamás Menczer”, avoiding tough questions.
Conversely, the opposition media focused on Menczer’s abrasive and offensive behaviour, arguing that it was inappropriate for the setting. A Telex correspondent noted how Menczer approached Magyar shouting and refusing to engage in meaningful dialogue. The absurdity of the confrontation was compounded by its location, just outside a children’s home, potentially in view of children and staff.
Political scientist Gábor Török described the encounter as emblematic of the polarisation in Hungarian politics, highlighting the erosion of constructive dialogue in favour of personal attacks. Török described Menczer’s “pub-level” behaviour as unprecedented and symptomatic of the deep divisions in Hungarian public discourse.
Following the event, Péter Magyar criticised the government and stated that the incident revealed the true nature of the Orbán government, which focuses on theatrics and silencing critics rather than addressing systemic problems. Magyar concluded: “This government prioritises political spectacle over solving real problems in child protection.”
Hungary’s economic recovery is underway this year, in spite of extraordinary difficulties and turbulence, laying the foundation for significant growth in 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said giving testimony before parliament’s economy committee on Tuesday. As he said, Orbán cabinet believes car industry and EV factories are key priorities.
Szijjarto said the weight of the global economy had shifted to the East in recent years, while the competition to attract multinationals’ investments had intensified. He warned of the danger of efforts to divide the world into blocs again and said the government was focused on strengthening connectivity.
He said the government had adopted a policy of economic neutrality, paving the way for the country to become a “meeting point” for the economies of the East and the West.
Hungary has become the “number one” location in Europe for cooperation between Western and Eastern companies, he added.
Szijjártó said the government had supported 255 investments with HUF 869bn in subsidies in 2023 and the first half of 2024. Those projects were worth more than HUF 6,000bn and created around 25,000 jobs, he added.
He noted that
62pc of that investment volume had come from China. South Korean companies were runner-up, followed by ones from Germany, he added.
Hungary accounted for 44pc of all Chinese investments in Europe during the period, he said. This year, Chinese investments in Hungary created 11,500 jobs, while investments by German companies created 3,000, he added.
Government support for investments went to projects in 19 branches of industry, although the most support went to electromobility investments, he said.
Szijjártó highlighted big investments in the pipeline, including Chinese EV manufacturer BYD’s plant in Szeged, German car maker BMW’s factory in Debrecen and the expansion of the Mercedes base in Kecskemét.
When those projects are finished, annual vehicle production in Hungary will climb over 1 million, he added.
Szijjártó also noted big battery manufacturing investments necessary for EV production.
Hungary’s ruling parties are “the opposition to a pro-migration Brussels”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a video uploaded to Facebook on Tuesday.
Speaking after a board meeting of his ruling party, Orbán said Fidesz MEPs “fighting in Brussels” had presented “a report from the battlefield.” He said the EU had “launched a campaign of lies” against Hungary by claiming that Hungary was not obliged to accommodate illegal migrants.
He said Hungary opposed the EU migration pact because it would force member states to allow migrants in and set up “migrant ghettos, completely dismantling Hungary’s border protection system”.
Orbán said
Hungary has spent some 2 billion euros on border controls so far and “deserves an award rather than punishment.”
“When it comes to migration, it’s enough to make just one mistake; countries with weak governments and leaders allowed migrants in and they will never be able to get rid of them,” he said.
“We won’t allow that … they can appoint a governor or install a puppet government, but we won’t give in,” he said while the video showed images of Péter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza Party.
János Bóka, the European affairs minister, told a parliamentary committee on Monday that Hungary “wants to be the catalyst of change” in Europe.
Speaking at an annual hearing before the European affairs committee, Bóka said 2024 has been a year of “institutional and political transition” for the community, which “offers an opportunity for change”. “Hungary wants to be the voice of that change,” he said.
According to Bóka, change is needed because the EU “cannot guarantee security for Europe and its immediate vicinity”. The community has been unable to come up with a “real strategy” concerning the war in Ukraine; it has only been “drifting with the events” while “spending an increasing portion of its resources on this conflict”, he said.
The EU cannot ensure the community’s welfare, either, with companies “struggling with overregulation and bureaucracy that negatively impact their competitiveness,” Boka added.
He said European companies paid two or three times as much for electricity and four to five times more for natural gas than their competitors. “Therefore we cannot speak about real global competitiveness,” the minister said, adding that the EU was facing “the greatest crisis in its history”.
The EU cannot stop illegal migration, nor can it “provide agriculture with a future perspective,” Bóka said, adding that the community had been struggling with those problems for more than a decade. “The EU cannot come up with solutions, and that raises issues of personal and institutional responsibility,” Bóka said.
While last summer’s European Parliament elections reflected a demand for change, “incumbent leaders and institutional structures cannot be expected to come up with new directions,” he said. “We must force the change to happen … if possible, in cooperation with EU institutions, if not, even in opposition with them,” Bóka said, and called for a “constructive opposition approach”.
