Hungary

UPDATED: EU lawmakers raise pressure to cut funds for Hungary over graft woes

BRUSSELS, Sept 15 (Reuters) - A large majority of European lawmakers voted on Thursday to condemn damage to democracy in Hungary under veteran Prime Minister Viktor Orban, stepping up pressure…

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Hungary enshrines ‘fetal heartbeat’ abortion law

Hungary's government has tightened its abortion rules, which will make the process of pursuing a termination more bureaucratic for pregnant women. From Thursday onwards, pregnant women will have to listen…

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Hungary aims to cut gas use 25% at public institutions

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary aims to cut gas consumption by 25% this heating season at public institutions and companies except for hospitals and social institutions due to surging energy costs,…

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Hungary to set up anti-corruption body in bid to unlock EU funds

Hungary will create an anti-corruption authority and a working group involving non-government organisations to oversee the spending of European Union funds, the government said in a decree in its official…

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Photo Story: Special drills for the Hungarian military to increase combat readiness

Mi-24 military helicopters fly during a special exercise of the Hungarian military to increase reactive and combat capabilities at the army's Bakony Combat Training Centre near Ujdorogd, western Hungary. In…

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Hungarian consumer confidence plunges in August to lowest since April 2020

Hungarian consumer and business confidence both deteriorated further in August, a survey by think tank GKI showed on Monday, with households' confidence plunging to its lowest since April 2020, the first wave…

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Ryanair appeals against Hungary’s consumer protection fine

BUDAPEST, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Budget airline Ryanair RYA.I said on Wednesday it had appealed to the courts after Hungary fined it for passing on to customers the cost of…

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Orban tightens hold over telcom sector as Vodafone sells Hungarian unit

LONDON/BUDAPEST, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Britain's Vodafone will sell its Hungarian business for 715 billion forints ($1.8 billion) in cash to local IT company 4iG and the Hungarian state, consolidating…

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Ryanair to appeal against Hungary’s ‘baseless’ consumer protection fine

Budget airline Ryanair said it would appeal to the courts after Hungary fined it for passing on the cost of a special business tax, worth 800 billion forints ($2.1 billion) in total, following a consumer protection investigation. Nationalist…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Budapest, Hungary

A view of the Szechenyi Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool (L), the Budapest Grand Circus (back) and the Biodome, the central facility of Pannon Park, the large-scale enlargement of the…

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Update – F1 – Verstappen wins Hungarian Grand Prix as Ferrari’s strategy nightmares continue

July 31 (Reuters) - Red Bull's Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen won the Hungarian Grand Prix from 10th on the starting grid on Sunday as Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc suffered another strategy…

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Russell takes first F1 pole of his career in Hungary

(Reuters) - Britain's George Russell took the first pole position of his Formula One career with the fastest lap for Mercedes in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday. The 24-year-old…

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EU Parliament says Orbán’s remarks go against bloc’s values

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's racist remarks have met with strong criticism in the European Parliament. Leaders of the European Parliament’s main groups on Friday castigated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s “inexcusable…

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Hungary narrows price-capped fuel scheme and raises windfall tax on MOL

BUDAPEST, July 30 (Reuters) - Hungary has narrowed the scope of eligibility for price-capped fuel and is raising a windfall tax on oil and gas group MOL in its latest batch of…

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UPDATED: Hungary to allow companies to pay corporate taxes in euros or dollars

BUDAPEST, July 30 (Reuters) - Hungary will allow companies to pay their taxes in euros or dollars as well as forints, the government announced on Saturday, a move which analysts said could boost the country's…

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Hungary’s Orban expects gas deal with Russia this summer

BUDAPEST, July 29 (Reuters) - Hungary expects to sign a deal with Russia on additional gas shipments of 700 million cubic metres by the end of summer, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told…

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EU gives Hungary a month to act before moving to suspend funds

The European Commission gave Hungary a final month to address its concerns about the rule of law before asking European Union governments to suspend some of the funds Hungary is…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Debrecen, Hungary

Growing phacelia, a honey-bearing plant that is very popular with bees and an excellent catch crop, is seen in a field near Debrecen, Hungary. From one hectare of phacelia, bees…

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Hungary to scrap energy price caps for high usage households

BUDAPEST, July 21 (Reuters) - Hungary will scrap caps on gas and power prices for higher-usage households from Aug. 1, the government said in a decree on Thursday, which means many Hungarians…

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Hungarians rally against Orban’s reforms, skeptical of change

BUDAPEST, July 16 (Reuters) - Around 1,000 Hungarians demonstrated against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government on Saturday in the latest of a series of smaller demonstrations this week since his right-wing Fidesz…

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Europe ‘shot itself in the lungs’ with sanctions on Russia, Orban says

BUDAPEST, July 15 (Reuters) - The European Union has "shot itself in the lungs" with ill-considered economic sanctions on Russia, which, unless rolled back, risk destroying the European economy, Hungarian Prime Minister…

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UPDATED: European Commission to sue Hungary over LGBT law, radio broadcaster

BRUSSELS, July 15 (Reuters) - The European Commission decided on Friday to sue Hungary over an anti-LGBT law and its refusal to renew the license of Klubradio, a broadcaster critical…

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Hungarians protest against Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government

Several thousand Hungarians protested against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government on Wednesday in the second day of anti-government rallies after lawmakers fast-tracked legislation sharply raising taxes for small firms. An…

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EU tells Hungary, Poland to step up their democracy game

BRUSSELS, July 13 (Reuters) - The European Union told Hungary and Poland on Wednesday to improve judicial and media independence, as well as anti-graft safeguards, saying conditions to unlock billions in aid…

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Hungarian inflation picks up, core CPI jumps as food prices soar

BUDAPEST, July 8 (Reuters) - Hungary's inflation accelerated further in June while core inflation jumped to 13.8%, signalling strong underlying price pressures in the economy despite massive interest rate hikes by the…

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PM Orban says Hungary must radically increase its defence capabilities

BUDAPEST, July 1 (Reuters) - Hungary will speed up its defence development programme, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday. "We must radically increase our defence capabilities," Orban…

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EU to adopt minimum corporate tax with or without Hungary, says France

PARIS, June 30 (Reuters) - EU member states will adopt plans for a minimum corporate tax rate in the bloc in the coming months regardless of whether holdout nation Hungary backs the…

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Russia has assured Hungary of continued gas shipments -foreign minister

BUDAPEST, June 19 (Reuters) - Russia has promised to continue gas shipments to Hungary and that Gazprom will fulfil its contractual obligations to the country, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an…

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Germany held to another 1-1 Nations League draw, in Hungary

Ambitious Germany remained winless in their Nations League campaign as they played to a third 1-1 draw in as many games on Saturday in Hungary. Zsolt Nagy gave Hungary a…

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Hungary launches consumer protection probe against Ryanair

BUDAPEST, June 10 (Reuters) - Hungary's government has launched a consumer protection investigation against Ryanair RYA.I over passing the costs of recently imposed windfall taxes onto passengers, state news agency MTI said on Friday,…

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Photo Story: Flash flooding in several parts of Hungary

Motorists and a tram wade in an extensive puddle of rainwater under a bridge following torrential rain in Budapest, Hungary. Thunderstorms have caused flash flooding in several parts of the…

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EU’s Breton tells Hungary to suspend discriminatory fuel prices – EU document

EU industry chief Thierry Breton told Hungary to suspend discriminatory fuel pricing against vehicles with foreign licence plates or risk being taken to court, according to a European Commission letter…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Debrecen, Hungary

Phacelia, a honey-bearing plant that is very popular with bees and an excellent catch crop, is seen in a field near Debrecen, Hungary. From one hectare of phacelia, bees can…

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Szoboszlai penalty earns Hungary first win over England in 60 years

BUDAPEST (Reuters) -A second-half penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai earned Hungary a shock 1-0 win over England in the Nations League on Saturday - their first victory against Gareth Southgate's side…

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Concessions to Hungary on sanctions ‘not acceptable’, Luxembourg’s PM says

Hungary's success in removing a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin from the European Union's latest round of sanctions was "not acceptable," Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said. The…

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Hungary hopes for EU recovery fund deal by end of 2022

BUDAPEST, June 3 (Reuters) - Hungary hopes to reach an agreement with EU authorities by the end of the year on gaining access to billions of euros worth of pandemic…

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Hungary holds up EU sanctions package over Patriarch Kirill

Hungary is holding up the finalization of the European Union's sanctions package against Russia, insisting on the removal of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill from the…

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Germany wants Russian oil embargo with or without Hungary – economy minister

BERLIN, May 23 (Reuters) - German Economy Minister Robert Habeck is disappointed that the EU has not yet agreed to an oil embargo targeting Russia, he said in a radio interview, adding…

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Hungary looks to boost domestic ownership in more key sectors

BUDAPEST, May 18 (Reuters) - Hungary should boost domestic ownership in more key sectors in addition to banking, media and energy, a cabinet minister-designate said on Wednesday, signalling more pressure on foreign…

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Hungary’s place is in the EU – at least for the next decade: PM Orban

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday raised the spectre of an "era of recession" in Europe as the continent grapples with surging energy costs and rising inflation due to…

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Hungary’s new president condemns Putin’s ‘aggression’, plans trip to Warsaw

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's President Katalin Novak at her inauguration ceremony on Saturday condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and said her first trip would take her to Poland, in an…

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Hungary says EU’s oil embargo proposal still unacceptable

BUDAPEST, May 11 (Reuters) - Russian shipments via pipelines should be exempted from planned European Union oil sanctions against Moscow that, in their current form, would destroy Hungary's economy, its Foreign Minister…

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UPDATED: EU tweaks Russia oil sanctions plan in bid to win over reluctant states – sources

BRUSSELS, May 6 (Reuters) - The European Commission has proposed changes to its planned embargo on Russian oil in a bid to win over reluctant states, three EU sources told Reuters on…

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UPDATED: Hungary cannot support new EU sanctions against Russia in present form -PM Orban

BUDAPEST, May 6 (Reuters) - Hungary cannot support the European Union's new sanctions package, which includes an embargo on oil imports, in its present form, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday.…

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UPDATED: Slovakia, seeking exemption, wants three-year transition for EU’s Russian oil embargo

May 4 (Reuters) - Slovakia wants a three-year transition period for it to phase in the European Union's proposed oil embargo on Russia, Economy Minister Richard Sulik said on Wednesday. Slovakia, highly…

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Hungary will not approve EU measures that endanger its oil or gas supply -foreign minister

Hungary will not vote for any measures prepared by the European Union that could endanger the security of its oil or gas supply, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, reiterating the country's…

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EU may offer Hungary, Slovakia exemptions from Russian oil embargo

The European Commission may spare Hungary and Slovakia from an embargo on buying Russian oil, now under preparation, wary of how dependent the two countries are on Russian crude, two EU officials…

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EU executive launches new bid to cut funds for Hungary over corruption

BRUSSELS, April 27 (Reuters) - The European Union executive sent a formal letter to Hungary on Wednesday, officials said, the first step of a fresh offensive to safeguard democratic checks and balances…

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Hungary says roubles-for-Russian gas plan breaches no EU sanctions

Hungary plans to pay for Russian gas in euros through Gazprombank, which will convert the payment into roubles to meet a new requirement set by President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister…

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EXPLAINER-What will the EU do about Hungary’s Orban?

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - Emboldened by his landslide electoral victory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has raised the stakes in his many fights with the European Union - ranging from liberal democratic rights…

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Hungary’s foreign ministry summons Ukrainian envoy over ‘insults’

BUDAPEST, April 6 (Reuters) - Hungary's foreign ministry summoned Ukraine's ambassador on Wednesday over what it called offensive comments from Kyiv regarding Budapest's stance on Russia's invasion. Foreign Minister Peter…

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EU executive in new bid to cut funds to Hungary for weakening democracy

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union executive started a new disciplinary procedure against Hungary on Tuesday in a step that could lead to freezing funding for Prime Minister Viktor Orban for undercutting…

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MEPs want EU to consider freezing Hungary funding after OSCE finds unfair playing field in elections

Two members of the European parliament called on the European Commission to launch the “rule of law conditionality mechanism” against Hungary, a legal process that would see Budapest deprived of…

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Zelenskiy: Hungary’s Orban will have to choose between Russia and ‘other world’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would have to choose between Moscow and the "other world", and that the Hungarian leader feared Russian influence.…

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Orban’s victory puts Hungary on collision course with EU

Emboldened by a fourth consecutive landslide election victory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to dig in against energy sanctions on Russia and toughen his stance in talks with…

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Orban scores crushing victory as Ukraine war solidifies support

BUDAPEST, April 4 (Reuters) - Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban scored a fourth consecutive landslide win in Sunday's election, as voters endorsed his ambition of a conservative, "illiberal" state and shrugged off concerns over Budapest's…

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FACTBOX – What has changed in Hungary during Orban’s 12-year rule

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party face their first closely-contested election on April 3 after three consecutive landslide victories since 2010. During his 12-year rule Orban has…

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