Latest news in Hungary - 1 Mar 2025

New Home Insurance Campaign Launches in Hungary: Beginning March 1, 2024, a new home insurance campaign aims to encourage homeowners to review their policies and switch insurers for potentially better coverage and discounts. Last year saw 20% of households take action, and this year, it is anticipated that between 330,000 to 495,000 customers will also consider making a change. Various insurers are offering significant discounts and promotional lotteries to entice new customers. Read more here

Budapest Pride Preparations Underway: Mayor Gergely Karácsony confirmed that the 30th Budapest Pride will take place this June, emphasizing the city's commitment to diversity and equality despite government opposition to the event. Amid discussions of potential bans from officials, Karácsony remains optimistic that this year's Pride celebration may even be the largest yet. Read more here

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Taxi Fare Increase Discussions in Budapest: The city is in talks with taxi organizations about potential fare increases, with proposals on the table ranging up to 27%. If approved, the base fare could rise from 1100 HUF to 1400 HUF, with per kilometer and per minute rates also seeing significant hikes. Negotiations are ongoing following a recent protest by taxi drivers over operating costs and insufficient earnings. Read more here

Decline in Deer Populations in Hungary: Hunters in Békés and Csongrád-Csanád counties report a significant decrease in deer numbers, with groups shrinking from fifty to ten. Contributing factors include climate change, drought affecting water supply, increased golden jackal predation, and poor-quality feed, raising concerns for both wildlife conservation and hunting revenues. Research is ongoing to determine the exact causes of this decline. Read more here

Kenderesi Denies Doping Accusations: Olympic bronze medalist swimmer Tamás has expressed outrage over his four-year ban for doping violations, claiming he has never doped. Following the ruling by the Hungarian Anti-Doping Group, Kenderesi plans to retreat for reflection and vows to fight for other athletes, asserting that if they can convict him, they can convict anyone. Read more here

Toxic Emission Concerns at Samsung Göd: A safety report from Samsung's Göd factory has modeled potential toxic air contamination scenarios involving nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) and nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) in the event of a fire, suggesting the substances would not reach residential areas in high concentrations. Despite this, the factory has been emitting black dust that has discolored its roof, raising concerns about environmental monitoring and the factory's operational impacts amid a downturn in electric vehicle demand. Read more here

Documentary Explores the Tisza River's Legacy: "Wild Waterland," a poignant documentary about the Tisza River, highlights the forgotten harmony between locals and the river, showcasing elderly fishermen and farmers as the last guardians of their traditions. The film emphasizes the need to rethink our relationship with nature amid climate challenges, advocating for a return to sustainable practices that once thrived along the riverbanks. Catch its screening on March 13 at the Ethnographic Museum. Read more here

New Digital Experience Center Opens in Veszprém: The CODE - Digital Experience Center officially opens on March 1, blending science, technology, and art to create immersive audiovisual experiences. Featuring interactive spaces and the inaugural exhibit, "BABEL," inspired by Borges' literary work, CODE aims to foster digital creativity and collaboration among artists and educators. Read more here

Tisza Party and Fidesz See Gains in February: A new survey from the Republikon Institute shows both the Tisza Party and Fidesz-KDNP gained support in February, with Tisza at 28% (+2 points) and Fidesz at 26% (+3 points). The findings highlight a shift in voter dynamics and suggest a tighter competition between the two leading parties heading into the elections. Read more here

Protesters Mark Closure of Ágfalva Border Crossing: Activists gathered to remember the second anniversary of the closure of the border crossing between Hungary's Ágfalva and Austria's Schattendorf, which has forced commuters and families to take detours of over 30 kilometers. Since the crossing was closed in spring 2023, even those who paid fees for temporary access have found themselves unable to cross, facing significant travel disruptions. Read more here

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