Viktor Orban

Hungary found to have sent agents to spy on EU

A report published in the Belgian newspaper De Tijd on Thursday revealed that the Hungarian intelligence service has for years been using a secret spy network in the European Union…

Read More Here

EU mulls tweaking rules to bypass Hungarian veto on Ukraine’s accession

The European Union is mulling new plans to tweak the rules of enlargement in a fresh attempt to bypass Hungary's persistent veto on Ukraine's membership bid. As of today, each…

Read More Here

Russia has won war in Ukraine, Hungary’s Orban says

Russia has won the war in Ukraine, right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Tuesday ahead of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir…

Read More Here

Hungary’s PM Orban says Trump will ‘quit’ Ukraine war, forcing EU rethink

The European Union needs to rethink its support for Ukraine following Donald Trump's U.S. election victory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said before a summit of EU leaders on Friday,…

Read More Here

In Georgian capital, Hungary’s Orban says election was fair

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Tuesday that the election in Georgia won by the ruling party was free and democratic, as he congratulated his Georgian counterpart Irakli Kobakhidze…

Read More Here

Viktor Orban claims EU installed ‘puppet government’ in Poland

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has suggested that Poland's government and its prime minister, Donald Tusk, were installed in power by the EU as part of a plot to remove…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban accuses EU of trying to overthrow his government

Veteran nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused the European Union executive on Wednesday of trying to overthrow his cabinet and impose a "puppet government" on Hungary, likening his protest to…

Read More Here

Ursula von der Leyen Challenges Hungary’s Ties with Russia and China

Hungary is putting European security at risk, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday in an unusually blunt speech blasting Budapest’s relationship with Russia and China. Speaking…

Read More Here

Hungary PM Orban says Ukraine cannot win on the battlefield

Ukraine cannot win the war with Russia on the battlefield, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Tuesday, adding dialogue and a ceasefire were needed to save lives. Earlier, Hungary's…

Read More Here

Orbán cancels European Parliament speech due to flooding in Hungary

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán postponed a speech at the European Parliament on Wednesday due to flooding in Hungary. “Due to the extreme weather conditions and the ongoing floods in Hungary,…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban says Meloni is ‘Christian sister’ who shares cultural roots

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed his close relationship with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Friday, describing her as his "Christian sister", and said cultural identity was playing a growing…

Read More Here

UPDATED: EU drops Hungary meeting over Ukraine war stance

The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stripped Hungary on Monday of its role as host of an EU foreign ministers meeting in a sign of widespread anger in the…

Read More Here

New Orban-backed EU alliance says France’s RN to join

Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) will join a growing new alliance in the European Parliament led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary's government spokesperson said on Monday.…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban arrives in China on Ukraine peace mission

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Beijing on Monday after talks on a potential Ukrainian peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin that angered some EU leaders. Orban, whose…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban arrives in Moscow to meet Putin, drawing EU rebukes

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, drawing rebukes from fellow EU leaders and a warning that he did not speak…

Read More Here

Orban visits Kyiv for first time since war

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an outspoken critic of Western military aid to Ukraine, paid a surprise visit to Kyiv on Tuesday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Orban, who…

Read More Here

Hungary takes EU presidency

Hungary's nationalist government launches its presidency of the European Union on Monday with a Trump-like call to "Make Europe Great Again" after EU lawmakers questioned whether it should be allowed…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban says fears that Russia would attack a NATO member are unfounded

Fears that Russia would mount an attack on any NATO member are unfounded, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday, adding that the war in Ukraine that is now…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban ready to ‘occupy’ Brussels to bring EU change

BUDAPEST, March 15 (Reuters) - Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday he was ready to march to Brussels and "occupy" the European Union's centre in order to "defend…

Read More Here

Trump won’t give money to Ukraine if elected, says Hungary’s Orban

BUDAPEST, March 11 (Reuters) - Former U.S. leader Donald Trump will not give money to help Ukraine fight Russia if he wins the presidency again and that will hasten an…

Read More Here

Hungary’s PM Orban supports Trump after Florida meeting

BUDAPEST, March 9 (Reuters) - Hungary's right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban lent his support to his long-time ally Donald Trump's bid to return to White House after meeting the…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Hungarian PM Orban to meet Trump on March 8 in Florida

By Krisztina Than BUDAPEST, March 4 (Reuters) - Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban will meet former U.S. President Donald Trump this coming Friday in Florida, shortly after he openly…

Read More Here

EU troublemaker Orban victorious at home, isolated in Brussels

By Krisztina Than and Andrew Gray Hungary's Viktor Orban was quick to get on the airwaves at home on Friday, telling Hungarians how he vetoed financial aid to Ukraine and…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban seeks to stir support with survey questioning EU policies, Ukraine membership

APEST, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Hungary's government sent out a survey to its citizens on Friday questioning whether the European Union should allocate more funds to Ukraine or grant it…

Read More Here

Hungary’s PM Orban: EU’s strategy on Ukraine ‘has failed’

BUDAPEST, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The European Union's strategy with regards to the war in Ukraine "has failed" and the bloc should create a plan B as the Ukrainians will…

Read More Here

Estonia’s Kallas dismayed by Hungary’s Orban handshake with “criminal” Putin

By John Irish The images of EU member state Hungary's prime minister shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin were "very, very unpleasant" and defied logic given Budapest's past history…

Read More Here

Tough issues to clear before EU membership talks with Ukraine -Hungary’s Orban

BUDAPEST, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that "very difficult questions" would need to be answered before the European Union could even start membership…

Read More Here

Hungary’s PM Orban calls for fast accession of Bosnia into EU

SARAJEVO, June 22 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on Thursday for a quick accession of Bosnia and other Balkan countries into the European Union, saying they could…

Read More Here

‘Fences protect Europe’, Hungary’s Orban says ahead of EU migration summit

BUDAPEST/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called for European Union financing for border fences, reviving an idea long seen as inadmissible ahead of a summit of the bloc's…

Read More Here

Hungary PM Orban says EU sanctions on Russia have “backfired”

BUDAPEST, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Hungary should prepare for a prolonged war in neighbouring Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told parliament on Monday, sharply criticising European Union sanctions imposed on…

Read More Here

Hungary PM Orban says EU’s Russia sanctions should be scrapped

BUDAPEST, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told his ruling Fidesz party that sanctions against Russia imposed by the European Union should be scrapped, the pro-government daily…

Read More Here

EU lawmakers’ call to cut funds to Hungary a ‘boring joke’ -Orban

BELGRADE, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday the European Parliament's call earlier this week to cut funds to Hungary over democratic backsliding was a…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban urges U.S. conservatives to join forces in 2024 elections

U.S. and Hungarian conservatives must join forces in 2024 elections to "take back" institutions in Washington and Brussels from liberals who threaten western civilization, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said. Orban,…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

Orban seeks re-election for fourth consecutive term, War in Ukraine has upset campaign

BUDAPEST, April 3 (Reuters) - The odds are slightly in favour of Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, one of Europe's longest-serving leaders, extending his 12-year rule in an election on Sunday,…

Read More Here

Orban’s dream of two decades in power hangs in the balance in Hungarian ballot

After his third consecutive landslide victory in 2018, Hungary's Viktor Orban said his strong new mandate allowed him to plan for 12 years ahead, aiming for an unbroken two-decade spell…

Read More Here

More than 3 million refugees have fled Ukraine, UN says; Hungary PM flags arrival of “bigger wave” of Ukraine refugees

According to UN estimates, more than three million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on 24 February. Most have sought refuge in neighbouring Poland, arriving to the border by…

Read More Here

Hungary will not leave EU, wants to reform it, PM Orban says

BUDAPEST, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Hungary will not leave the European Union but will resist attempts from Brussels to erode its sovereignty, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told his Fidesz party…

Read More Here

It’s ‘Orban or Europe’ in 2022 election, Hungary opposition frontrunner says

The leading candidate to spearhead the opposition challenge to Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary's parliamentary elections said the contest would be about "Orban or Europe", with Hungary's access to…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Pro-EU Dobrev leads in opposition primary to take on Hungary’s Orban

BUDAPEST, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Klara Dobrev, a 49-year-old lawyer who favours closer ties with the European Union, looked poised to win the first leg of an opposition primary contest…

Read More Here

Pope inspired me over family values, says Hungary’s Orban

Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that his recent meeting with Pope Francis encouraged him to keep defending the traditional family though the pair avoided airing their…

Read More Here

Access to single market key to Hungary’s EU membership -PM

BUDAPEST, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Hungary must remain a member of the European Union to ensure continued access to its single market, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday, adding…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban: EU should approve vaccines shown to be effective elsewhere

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he would propose to European Union leaders that the bloc authorise all vaccines that have been shown to be safe and effective elsewhere and…

Read More Here

Hungarian PM Orban against new EU migration pact over hosting asylum seekers

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban rejected a new migration plan by the European Union's executive, saying it would force Hungary to welcome aslyum seekers, but he welcomed some other elements…

Read More Here

Hungary PM Orban says EU Commission immigration plan ‘no breakthrough’

The European Commission's migration plan presented on Wednesday is not a breakthrough, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a press briefing in Brussels according to state TV channel M1 on…

Read More Here

Hungary PM Orban endorses U.S. President Trump in November election

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday endorsed Donald Trump in his reelection bid for the U.S. presidency, saying his rival Democrats have forced a "moral imperialism" on the world…

Read More Here

Hungary’s Orban calls for central Europe to unite around Christian roots

Central European nations should unite to preserve their Christian roots as western Europe experiments with same-sex families, immigration and atheism, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday. Orban, a…

Read More Here

Hungarian opposition unites to challenge PM Orban in 2022

Hungary's six main opposition parties will form an alliance for the 2022 election and, if they manage to unseat premier Viktor Orban, would aim to govern in a coalition, they…

Read More Here

Von der Leyen threatens Hungary with legal proceedings over new Covid-19 laws

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen threatened Hungary with legal proceedings over their new laws to slow the spread of coronavirus, in comments published on Sunday. Von der…

Read More Here

Orban says would have to ‘use force’ if Turkey ‘opens gates’ to refugees

Hungary would "use force" at its southern border with Serbia to protect the European Union's frontier if Turkey follows through on its threat to open the gates to Europe to…

Read More Here

Orban suffers his biggest political setback in a decade as opposition wins Budapest mayoral race

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban suffered his biggest political setback in a decade on Sunday, when an opposition candidate became mayor of Budapest by defeating an incumbent backed by the ruling…

Read More Here

Germany, Hungary to mark end of the Iron Curtain

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will welcome German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the city of Sopron Monday to commemorate a pivotal moment in the fall of the Iron Curtain in…

Read More Here