Latest news in Hungary - 25 Mar 2025

Orbán Jokes About Adopting a Zebra: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has written to the Budapest Zoo expressing his desire to adopt a zebra, amid claims suggesting his family's estate may house zebras. His letter, shared publicly, comes after a recent controversy raised by Péter Magyar regarding a supposed "private safari" at Orbán's Hatvanpuszta property. Read more here

Rescue on Margaret Bridge: On March 21, a 21-year-old girl was rescued by police after climbing to the edge of the Margaret Bridge in a suicide attempt. Officers quickly intervened, with Sergeant Szabolcs Kovács climbing over the railing to calm her until additional help arrived, safely pulling her back from the brink. Read more here

Hungary Records Highest Inflation in the EU Again: In February, Hungary continued to lead the EU with the highest inflation rate at 5.7%, while the overall EU average decreased to 2.7%. Notably, there is a slight discrepancy when compared to Hungary's own inflation measurement of 5.6% reported by the KSH. Read more here

Vučić and Orbán Consider Military Cooperation: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán are reportedly in talks to enhance military cooperation, amid tensions following a recent defense pact among Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo. While this may raise eyebrows given Hungary's NATO commitments and Serbia's ties to Russia, sources suggest the cooperation is more about political posturing than a formal alliance. Read more here

Court Ruling on Dual Citizenship for Slovak-Hungarian Child: A court in Slovakia has ruled that a child with one Slovak and one Hungarian parent can obtain dual citizenship, overriding a long-standing 1961 agreement that prohibited it. This decision aligns with the 1997 European Convention on Citizenship, marking a significant shift for Slovak-Hungarian families. Read more here

Hungary's Feature Film at Berlin Festival: "Everything Is All Right," Hungary's sole feature film at the Berlin Film Festival, explores parenting challenges and moral dilemmas when a child's behavior turns aggressive. Directed by Sós Bálint Dániel, the film combines a minimalist aesthetic with satirical humor, urging viewers to confront the gray areas in family dynamics and moral choices. Read more here

New ATM Regulations in Hungary: The Hungarian government has issued a decree mandating the installation of ATMs in all 3,155 settlements, with 2,000 new machines expected nationwide soon. Banks face fines up to 200 million forints if they remove existing ATMs or fail to maintain cash withdrawal services, emphasizing the importance of access to cash in rural areas. Read more here

Péter Magyar to Challenge Orbán as Independent Candidate: Péter Magyar has declared his candidacy for the Budapest 3rd electoral district as an independent in the upcoming parliamentary elections, setting the stage for a direct contest with Viktor Orbán, who also resides in this area. The electoral landscape has shifted following recent district changes, with Magyar seeking support from local Tisza Islands voters. Read more here

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Hungary: A significant outbreak of hepatitis A is currently affecting Hungary, with reported cases in January and February rising sevenfold compared to last year, particularly in Budapest, Pest, and Fejér counties. The National Public Health and Medical Officer Service is urging health professionals to educate patients on prevention and transmission, and vaccination is recommended for those at higher risk. Read more here

Exciting Lineup for Sziget Festival: The Sziget Festival has announced nearly 40 new performers, including FKA Twigs, Little Simz, and Empire of the Sun, while local acts like Beton.Hofi and Krúbi will also take the stage. The festival promises to feature the strongest electronic music lineup in its history, with a newly designated Delta District for parties. Read more here

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