Latest news in Hungary - 14 Oct 2025

Political ads remain despite ban ** Nobel prize sparks revival ** GPs and pharmacists expanded role ** New oil production highs ** Prison doctor sentenced

Momentum MPs Questioned Over Protests: Police have questioned Márton Tompos and Dávid Bedő, members of the Momentum party, regarding their involvement in protests against the assembly law amendment and the ban on the Pride event. With parliamentary immunity recently suspended for multiple Momentum politicians, the pair face scrutiny for various offenses, including the use of smoke flares and traffic violations. Read more here

Krasznahorka's Nobel Prize Sparks Literature Revival: László Krasznahorka's recent Nobel Prize win highlights evolving trends in Hungarian literature, where a decline in regular reading is juxtaposed with a rise in new genres like romantic fantasy, especially among the youth. Despite 58% of adults rarely buying books, the domestic book market is showing signs of recovery, with projections for growth in 2024 despite ongoing challenges in the publishing industry. Read more here

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Sziget Festival's Future in Doubt: The iconic Sziget festival faces an uncertain future as its foreign owner plans to withdraw from the Hungarian market, resulting in the termination of its lease agreement. Organizers aim to revive the festival with new Hungarian ownership, as it has been operating at a loss for years, compounded by challenges arising from rising costs and pandemic effects. Read more here

Expanded Roles for Pharmacists and General Practitioners: Starting October 1, pharmacists in Hungary will gain the authority to prescribe medications for chronic conditions and administer vaccinations, while general practitioners will also see an increase in their prescribing powers. The changes aim to strengthen primary care and improve patient access to necessary treatments and services. Read more here\

Hungary's Oil Production Reaches 1990s Highs: Hungary's crude oil production is at its highest level since the 1990s, with nearly 690,000 tons extracted in the first seven months of 2025, marking a 15% increase compared to last year. If current trends continue, annual production could reach 1.2 million tons, a significant boost fueled by new discoveries by MOL and O&GD. Read more here

Political Ads Sneak Through on Social Media: Despite bans from Google and Meta on political ads, the National Resistance Movement has successfully launched an animated video on Facebook that uses allegory to navigate around these restrictions. The video, featuring a fox and various animals, has amassed over 30,000 reactions and benefits from targeted ads reaching wide audiences. Read more here

Tiszalök Prison Doctor Sentenced for Inhumane Treatment: A doctor at Tiszalök prison has received a suspended sentence for examining an inmate's hemorrhoids with chili pepper gloves, causing unnecessary pain. Along with a two-year and six-month sentence, other defendants involved received similar penalties for abuse and failing to report these actions. Read more here

Hungary's New First Name Approval Committee: A new committee led by Kósa Lajos will oversee the approval of Hungarian first names, replacing the previous system managed by the Research Center for Linguistics. This change follows a parliamentary amendment aimed at preserving the beauty of the Hungarian language and national identity, as names like Késav and Legolasz have raised concerns about appropriateness. Read more here

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