Latest news in Hungary - 14 Apr 2025

Protest Disruption During Péter Magyar's Speech: A protest against politician Péter Magyar escalated during his country tour stop in Szentendre, with demonstrators reportedly screaming slogans related to environmental concerns. The protest's spokesperson was eventually removed by police in handcuffs, though details on any physical altercations remain unclear. Read more here

Momentum Party Seeks Wider Support Ahead of 2026 Elections: Tompos Márton, president of the Momentum party, believes that two-thirds of the population desires a regime change and sees room for growth alongside the Tisza Party. He emphasizes a revitalized Momentum actively mobilizing through protests and rallies, aiming for broader participation from various societal sectors, while steering clear of alliances with other opposition parties. Read more here

Pensions Fall Behind Salaries in Hungary: Recent data from the Central Statistical Office reveals that the average pension in Hungary is now just 48.5% of the average wage, a significant decline from 65.1% in 2010, with purchasing power dropping by 6.4% over the past year. Approximately 12.3% of pensioners receive less than 120,000 HUF monthly, while the average pension is 222,423 HUF. Read more here

Bribery Case Expands to 59 Suspects: The bribery investigation involving Ártánd border guards has now identified 59 suspects, with 24 facing reasonable suspicion for corrupt activities linked to an organized crime group. Since March 2021, around 150 officials have been involved in the operations, leading to the seizure of significant sums of cash, including 4,500 euros and over one million forints. Read more here

New Bubi 3.0 Bike Sharing System Launching in 2026: Budapest's public bike-sharing program will introduce Bubi 3.0 in 2026, featuring a fleet of at least 3,300 bicycles, including 1,000 electric-assisted models, and an expanded coverage area. The goal is to enhance flexibility, improve user experience, and maintain competitive pricing, particularly for electric bikes, while making significant logistical updates such as new bicycle stands and on-site repairs. Read more here

Serious Accident Near Visegrád: A hiker suffered severe injuries after falling into a ravine between Visegrád and Pilisszentlászló. Rescue teams successfully retrieved the hiker and transported them to the hospital via a helicopter. The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation. Read more here

Norwegian Man Accused of Mass Shooting Plans and Child Pornography: A 46-year-old Norwegian man living in Budapest has been charged with planning a mass shooting and possessing child pornography, after previously being arrested for threatening violence. He now faces up to 12 years in prison, with hearings set to begin in May. Read more here

Large Waste Fire in Budapest's XIII District: A significant fire, fueled by accumulated waste, is burning across several hundred square meters on Tatai Street. Firefighters are on the scene with multiple water jets to control the blaze under the guidance of the Disaster Management Authority. Read more here

April Showers and Warm Temperatures Ahead: This week in Hungary will feature a mix of mild temperatures between 15 and 24 degrees Celsius and rainy weather with possible fog in the mornings. A cold front is expected to move in by Thursday, so keep your umbrella handy! Read more here

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