Latest news in Hungary - 17 Mar 2025

Orbán's Controversial Speech Sparks Outrage: During a Fidesz commemoration, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán referred to political opponents as "bedbugs," drawing widespread condemnation from opposition parties and civil organizations, who criticized the dehumanizing language reminiscent of historical atrocities. The Hungarian Judges Association countered Orbán's claims of corruption among judges, emphasizing that such rhetoric can pave the way for violence and discrimination. Read more here

M3 Highway Renovation Starts Monday: Renovation on the M3 highway kicks off this Monday, lasting until May, with speed limits set at 60 km/h near work zones and possible lane restrictions. Expect traffic monitoring and detours as multiple segments undergo improvements. Read more here

New Margin Cap for Retail Chains Takes Effect: Starting today, Hungary implements a margin cap limiting retailers' profit margins to 10% on 30 essential food items due to a reported inflation rate of 7.1% in February. Approximately 200 retail companies, with net revenues over 1 billion forints in 2023, will be monitored for compliance, facing fines between 500,000 to 5 million forints for violations; the measure is set to last until May 31, 2025. Read more here

Injured from North Macedonian Fire Incident Arriving in Budapest: After a tragic nightclub fire in Kocani, which resulted in 59 deaths and left 155 injured, Hungary has offered medical assistance and received the first victims early Monday morning. The cause of the fire, believed to be linked to pyrotechnics, is under investigation as authorities manage the aftermath and the club owner faces arrest. Read more here

Soviet Mortar Shell Found in Óbarok Tree: A World War II-era 82-millimeter Soviet fragmentation mortar shell was discovered lodged in a tree in Óbarok, Fejér County, having been enveloped by the tree over the past 80 years. Fortunately, the device was confirmed to be non-operational, and bomb disposal experts safely removed it for destruction. Read more here

New Display Case for the Holy Crown: The Hungarian Parliament is set to replace the display case for the Holy Crown due to a malfunctioning cooling system. The new case, costing over 151,000 euros, will be installed starting Monday, and during the replacement, the Crown will be displayed in the upper house lounge. Read more here

Fidesz Campaigns Ahead of Elections: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government is ramping up its campaign efforts, promising a vigorous attack on critics as the political landscape heats up ahead of the 2026 elections. Zoltán Lakner is set to analyze key political events live on Telex, signaling a critical moment for Hungary’s economy and political discourse. Read more here

Consumer Protection Authority Launches Inspections on Retail Margins: The National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority has started immediate inspections to prevent unjustified price increases, enforcing a government-imposed margin cap of 10% on 30 product categories that will last until May 31, 2025. Fines for violations can reach 5 million HUF per product category and may be issued multiple times a day at the same location. Read more here

Foodora Couriers Protest Over Late Payments: Foodora couriers faced a difficult weekend as many reported not receiving their payments on time, leading some to skip work and others to halt deliveries in protest. While the company insists payments are made on schedule, couriers who rely on these wages are expressing frustration, with potential losses reaching hundreds of thousands of forints. Read more here

Pentele Bridge Closures for Maintenance: The Pentele Bridge will face several months of closures due to necessary maintenance, starting with a partial closure on the southern side from Tuesday until the end of May. Key updates include a complete closure from June 1 to June 30, with a detour provided via main road 52 between Dunaföldvár and Solt. Read more here

Fidesz Proposes Fines for Pride Participants: The Fidesz party has introduced a proposal to amend Hungary's assembly law, potentially imposing fines of up to 200,000 forints on anyone attending Pride events. This amendment targets gatherings that promote or represent sexual diversity, with fines allocated for child protection purposes and strict collection measures outlined for unpaid penalties. Read more here

NAV Seizes Illegal Surveillance Equipment in Budapest: The National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) has confiscated various unauthorized surveillance devices, including listening equipment and hidden cameras, from a Budapest store lacking the appropriate military export license. Criminal proceedings have been initiated regarding the misuse of military technology and unauthorized trade activities, with further investigations planned on related individuals and companies. Read more here

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