Latest news in Hungary - 12 May 2025

BKV CEO Linked to Organized Crime: Tibor Bolla, the CEO of Budapest's public transport company BKV, is under scrutiny for alleged ties to F. Zsolt, nicknamed "The Grandmaster," who is suspected of defrauding the company out of billions. Despite Bolla's denials of being friends with Zsolt, evidence suggests otherwise, as they appear in photos from joint trips to Bali and China. Read more here.\

Pension Transfers Delayed for K&H Clients: Many pensioners have reported not receiving their payments due to technical issues at K&H Bank, as confirmed by the bank's communications manager. The bank is actively working to resolve the situation and ensure pensions are credited as soon as possible. Read more here\

Tragic Hiking Incident in Hőgyész: A woman in her fifties tragically passed away after falling ill while hiking in Hőgyész, Tolna County. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, she could not be saved. Read more here\

Hungary Expels Ukrainian Spies: Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the expulsion of two spies operating under diplomatic cover at the Ukrainian embassy in Budapest, citing concerns over a disinformation campaign as Hungary contemplates Ukraine's EU membership. This action underscores Hungary's stance on maintaining peace amid rising tensions. Read more here\

EU Court Invalidates Currency Loan Contract: The European Union Court has ruled a 2007 foreign currency loan contract in Hungary invalid due to unfair terms, allowing debtors to reclaim all overpayments. However, the Hungarian Supreme Court suggests this only applies to those who can prove they were misinformed about exchange rate risks, leaving many in uncertainty about potential refunds. Read more here\

Soviet Space Probe May Re-Enter Over Hungary: The Cosmos-482 lander, a Soviet probe from 1972 that failed its mission to Venus, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere on May 10, with a potential landing zone that includes Hungary among other areas. EU space agencies are monitoring its trajectory, and while predictions are challenging due to its uncontrollable descent, much of its landing area comprises oceans and uninhabited land. Read more here\

Hungary Bans Import of Beef and Pork from Five Countries: In response to import bans previously imposed by the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Croatia due to foot-and-mouth disease, Hungary has enacted mirror measures prohibiting the import of live animals and specific agricultural products from these nations. Violators could face fines up to 100% of the product's value, and while transit shipments are exempt, Hungary's agricultural trade relationships are expected to be significantly impacted. Read more here\

Record Low Temperatures in Hungary: A new record for the coldest dawn was set in Nyírtasson, where temperatures plummeted to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, surpassing previous records. Following a sunny start, rain is expected in the northeastern regions later in the day, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 21 degrees. Read more here\

Luxury Hunting Controversy at Turai Castle: Images of the Botaniq Castle in Turai have been used to promote a luxury hunting service called Luxe Wilderness, raising questions about its connection to the Prime Minister's son-in-law’s BDPST Group, which has denied any association and stated they are taking steps against the unauthorized use of their images. Read more here\

Transportation Museum Relocation Debate Continues: The plan to move the Transportation Museum to Debrecen has faced backlash, with Dávid Vitézy stating at a forum that the idea is flawed, while Debrecen's mayor insists there is strong local support for the relocation. Both sides reference previous design competitions and the potential benefits for the eastern region versus Budapest's centrality in attracting visitors. Read more here\

Jókai Street Building Collapse Lawsuit Update: The contractor of the collapsed apartment building on Jókai Street claims inadequate restoration post-World War II led to the accident, as they face a civil lawsuit from injured dancer Nikolett Tóth, who argues she hasn't received full compensation. The contractor disputes responsibility, denying a personal meeting before a potential out-of-court settlement and asserting they've already paid a portion of her claims, which Tóth contests. Read more here\

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