Latest news in Hungary - 27 Feb 2025

Curia Rules in Favor of Orbán in Press Lawsuit: The Curia has ruled in favor of Viktor Orbán against Klubrádió and several other media outlets after he sued them for misreporting comments regarding Spar's asset relocation to Switzerland. The decision requires Klubrádió to cover legal costs and publish a correction, but the station plans to appeal to higher courts, including the Constitutional Court and potentially the European Court of Human Rights. Read more here

EU's €100 Billion Plan for Clean Industry: The European Commission has introduced a proposal to enhance the competitiveness of the clean industry, projected to mobilize over €100 billion by simplifying regulations and accelerating the transition to sustainable manufacturing. Key measures include reducing energy costs and increasing cooperation with liquefied natural gas suppliers, alongside a plan to invest specifically in battery manufacturing in Hungary. Read more here

Concerns Over Potential Pride Ban in Hungary: Speculation grows over the implications if Prime Minister Orbán were to officially ban Pride events in Hungary, raising concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates and communities about possible repercussions and societal impact. Read more here

Joint Statement in Support of Press Freedom: In a unified response to rising government criticism, notable Hungarian media figures and organizations have released a joint statement defending press freedom and condemning the labeling of investigative journalists as "servants of foreign interests." The statement emphasizes that a democratic society relies on an independent media, warning against legal measures that threaten press credibility and diversity of information. Read more here

Orbán Sets Sights on 2026 Elections: In a recent speech, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán emphasized the importance of perseverance in political campaigns, rallying support as Fidesz prepares for the 2026 elections. Meetings at Karmelita have highlighted current and potential candidates, including newly appointed district presidents, as the party strategizes following local election setbacks. Read more here

Tourism Surge in Budapest: January 2025 saw a 31% increase in foreign guests visiting Budapest, with 541,000 foreign tourists overall contributing to nearly 1.3 million overnight stays in Hungary. While the number of visitors soared, their stay durations shortened; the government aims to encourage longer visits. Gyula also witnessed significant growth, outperforming other regions. Read more here
Hungarian Government Targets Foreign-Funded NGOs: The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, is intensifying its campaign against NGOs receiving foreign funding, labeling them as political threats and proposing potential sanctions similar to the US Magnitsky Act. This initiative aims to curb foreign influence in local affairs, but specifics about the measures remain unclear as officials navigate conflicting statements. Read more here

New Chinese Car Brand Launches in Hungary: Geely has introduced its commercial vehicle brand Farizon to Hungary, releasing two models: the SV van, starting at 18.9 million forints with a range of 215 km, and the more affordable V6E van, priced at 14.6 million forints with a range of 195 km. Both models are part of an effort to expand the market for electric commercial vehicles. Read more here

MOHU Tests New Bulk Bottle Return Machines: MOHU is piloting a new vending machine system for beverage bottle returns that allows users to pour in multiple containers at once, rather than inserting them individually. These Norwegian machines, which can hold up to 100 items, aim to streamline the bottle return process amidst previous challenges, with a goal to recycle 90% of beverage packaging in Hungary within three years. Read more here

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