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Sandor Zsiros

Europe News

Exclusive: Hungary's new government to review €16bn EU defence plan

Péter Magyar's team is reassessing Hungary's €16 billion SAFE defence plan submitted by the defeated Orbán government, citing corruption risks. The European Commission is open to engaging with the new administration.

Europe News

EU Court rules Hungary's anti LGBTQ+ law breaches core values

The European Court of Justice rules that Hungary's 2021 Child Protection Law unlawfully discriminates against LGBTQ+ community; the first time a member state has been found in violation of EU fundamental values charter.

Europe News

EU and Magyar agreed to work together for EU cash after talks

Ursula von der Leyen's right-hand man sent to Budapest to begin work for the release of €10 billion as Magyar races to unfreeze the cash in exchange of reforms. According to sources involved in the negotiations, the release of funds is not connected to Ukraine.

Europe News

EU rushes to Budapest talks with Magyar team to unlock frozen funds

European Commission officials are due to meet the team of Hungary’s prime minister-designate, Péter Magyar, in Budapest on Friday, just five days after his election victory, to begin the process of unfreezing €17 billion in EU funds, with Ukraine-related disputes also on the agenda.

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Europe News

Where is Szijjártó? Diplomat skips EU meeting, gone from public view

Szijjártó will miss next week's EU Foreign Affairs Council after the Orbán government's election loss. He faces accusations of sharing classified information with Russia and destroying sensitive documents.

Europe News

Magyar vows to shut down Hungarian state TV akin to 'North Korea'

Magyar has threatened to suspend the state broadcaster following a heated on-air clash, accusing it of spreading “North Korean-style” propaganda and false claims about his family during the election campaign.

Europe News

Péter Magyar's axe could soon hit Orbán's network in Brussels

Magyar's election win in Hungary threatens Orbán's EU influence network, putting figures including Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, think tank MCC Brussels, and the Hungarian ambassador on the chopping block.

Europe News

Serbia's Vučić clashes with Péter Magyar over Putin 'godfather' remark

Aleksandar Vučić snapped at Magyar, calling his comments about Putin playing Godfather to autocrats "foolish" and "stupid". The Hungarian Prime Minister-elect claimed the Russian leader pulls the strings in Serbia too.

Europe News

Magyar presses for swift power transfer and vows to unlock EU funds

Hungarian PM-elect Péter Magyar on Monday urged parliament to convene quickly to form a new government, aiming for a 5 May handover, and outlined priorities including EU funds, the eurozone, Ukraine, Russia, and migration. Here are some key takeaways from his press conference.

Europe News

Péter Magyar accuses Szijjártó of shredding confidential documents

Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar has accused outgoing Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó of shredding confidential sanctions-related documents at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing insider sources during a press conference in Budapest on Monday. The ministry has not yet responded.

Europe News

Hungary's next PM Péter Magyar demands 'Orbán's puppets' leave office

Hungary's incoming PM Péter Magyar said he plans to visit Brussels in a bid to get billions in frozen EU funds unlocked as he vows to restore system of checks and balances.

Europe News

Hungary begins to vote: Orbán and Magyar face off in historic vote

Polls open in Hungary's most consequential election in decades, as veteran PM Viktor Orbán faces a serious challenge from opposition leader Péter Magyar amid allegations of foreign interference and a bruising campaign.

Europe News

Orbán or Magyar: EU braces for veto politics or a cautious reset

As Hungarians head to the polls on Sunday, the EU is preparing for two scenarios: continued obstruction under Orbán or a victory for Magyar that could reset relations, though Brussels remains cautious about both.

Europe News

New leaks reveal Szijjártó briefing Russia’s Lavrov on key EU summit

Leaked calls show Hungary's Foreign Minister briefing Russia's Lavrov during a key EU summit, offering confidential EU documents to Moscow, and arranging a meeting between Orbán and Vladimir Putin.

Europe News

US VP Vance attacks Brussels and vows to help Orbán after meeting

Vance accused the European Union of electoral interference in Hungary’s election campaign during a visit to Budapest. Speaking alongside Orbán, Vance described the Hungarian leader as a “role model” for Europe.

Europe News

US Vice President Vance to visit Hungary days before key election

US Vice President JD Vance will travel to Budapest on Tuesday and Wednesday for talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, days before a pivotal 12 April election in which Orbán faces his strongest opposition challenge in years.

Europe News

Hungarian opposition cements lead ahead of April elections, polls show

Set of polls indicate that Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party is ahead of Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz by 19–23 points among likely voters. Hungarians head to the polls in Europe's most consequential election on 12 April.

Europe News

Leaked call: Lavrov asks Hungarian FM to lift EU sanctions

The recording comes as Hungary's Foreign Affairs Minister Péter Szijjártó is embroiled in controversy, following Washington Post reports that he disclosed sensitive information to Russia at Foreign Affairs Council meetings in Brussels.

World News

US senators target Hungary with sanctions bill over Russian ties

Bipartisan US senators have introduced the Block Putin Act, which would impose visa bans on Hungarian officials accused of enabling Russian energy purchases and blocking EU aid to Ukraine.

Europe News

Hungary left in the cold as Commission keeps defense cash frozen

Hungary is the only EU country left waiting for the Commission to approve a request for defense money. According to sources, Hungary urged Brussels to make a decision in a letter, but the loan plan has not been approved even after laggards France and the Czech Republic were greenlighted.

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