Latest news in Hungary - 17 Apr 2025

Police Officer Caught Vaping an Elf Bar at Protest: At a recent protest in Hungary, a police officer was photographed using an Elf Bar, which is illegal to trade, possess, or consume in the country. The National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) highlighted ongoing issues with the presence of such prohibited vaping products in schools, warning about their unregulated and unsafe nature. Read more here

Proposal to Ban Pride Flag in Hungary: A bill proposed by Előd Novák of the Mi Hazánk party to ban the Pride flag and other LGBTQ+ symbols on public institutions has been approved by the Justice Committee of the National Assembly. Surprisingly, the Fidesz party, which opposed a similar proposal in 2022, has now lent its support, potentially setting the stage for a broader legislative debate. Read more here

Rogán's Sanctions Lifted: Antal Rogán has been removed from the U.S. sanctions list after three months, a decision attributed to shifting political interests under the Trump administration. Though viewed as a political gesture, it reflects a more favorable relationship between Hungary and the U.S. compared to the previous Biden administration. Read more here

Sentence Reduced for Former Army Officer in Domestic Violence Case: The sentence of István K., a former army officer convicted of repeatedly assaulting Bernadett Orosz, has been reduced from one year and ten months to one year and four months on appeal. Orosz, a mother of six who bravely spoke out against domestic violence, expressed her disappointment with the ruling, which she feels highlights inadequacies in legal protections for victims. Read more here

Warm and Stormy Weather Ahead: Today, Hungary can expect temperatures between 24 and 30 degrees, with increased cloud cover and likely thunderstorms developing in the afternoon, especially in Transdanubia. Brace for brisk winds, which may reach storm strength near thunder! Read more here

Proposed 11 PM Closing Time for Margit Quarter: Mayor Gergely Őrsi is proposing a default closing time of 11 PM for establishments in the Margit Quarter to prevent it from transforming into a nightlife district, although businesses can apply for extended hours. This initiative is part of a revitalization program aimed at enhancing the cultural and community atmosphere along Margit Boulevard, where 35 spaces have already been leased for cultural and retail purposes. Read more here

Budapest Festival Orchestra Faces Funding Cuts: The Budapest Festival Orchestra's funding for 2025 will be reduced by 747 million forints, significantly impacting its ability to hire and retain talented musicians, according to music director Iván Fischer. With inflation causing a 40% loss in previous funding value, the orchestra faces an existential crisis and may struggle to maintain its high standards without adequate financial support. Read more here

Hungarian National Bank Restructuring Announced: Governor Mihály Varga has initiated talks with the government to abolish the asset management foundations of the Hungarian National Bank, aiming to streamline its operations to focus solely on core tasks. This move follows a negative credit rating outlook from Standard and Poor's and aims to address ongoing controversies surrounding the bank's management practices. Read more here

Hadházy Ákos Protests on Elisabeth Bridge: Independent MP Hadházy Ákos is leading a 24-hour protest on Elisabeth Bridge to demand the revocation of the assembly law, following a recent Supreme Court ruling against extended occupations. The demonstration features various speakers and aims to challenge recent amendments protecting child rights over assembly rights amid rising tensions over public protests. Read more here

Competition Authority Raids Spar and Auchan Headquarters: The Hungarian Competition Authority conducted surprise raids at the headquarters of Spar and Auchan on April 15, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged price-fixing practices involving the soft drink distributor Maspex Olympos Kft. These investigations have also included other retail chains like Aldi and Tesco, with the goal of clarifying potential legal violations. Read more here

Kecskemét's Knowledge City Project Stalled: The ambitious 144 billion forint project to develop Knowledge City near Kecskemét has come to a halt after the allocated funds lost value due to failed investments. Kecskemét's housing demand continues to rise, driven by local industrial growth, but construction remains in limbo with no timeline for progress. Read more here

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