Latest news in Hungary - 28 Apr 2025

Ultrabalaton Draws Record Number of Runners: The XIX. NN Ultrabalaton saw over 28,300 participants completing the 211 km around Lake Balaton, with Andrea Mórocza setting a new women's course record at 18 hours, 30 minutes. The event raised 23,597,400 forints for various charities, while many runners experienced personal achievements and camaraderie amidst the challenge. Read more here

MPs Face Unprecedented Ban from Parliament: For the first time since Hungary's regime change, the National Assembly may impose bans on members of the Momentum party and Ákos Hadházy following a chaotic protest using smoke candles during a bill debate. If approved, the penalties could amount to over 82 million forints, with significant salary deductions and session bans, as the parliament grapples with potential implications for democratic processes. Read more here

Crisis in Hungary's General Practice: The Hungarian healthcare system faces a significant crisis with 628 vacant general practitioner positions nationwide, leading to deteriorating care quality as patients often lack understanding of their GPs' roles. Young doctors are deterred by low prestige and heavy commitments, while aging practitioners struggle with increased workloads, resulting in a concerning decline in accessible primary care. Read more here

Challenges Facing Abandoned Infants in Hungary: Many infants remain in hospitals due to abandonment, with about 300 currently stuck, and numbers potentially rising to 1,200 within a year. The majority struggle with health issues or have been rejected for adoption due to their backgrounds, highlighting the need for foster families and support to address their traumas and ensure a better future. Read more here

Szoboszlai Makes History with Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai has made history as the first Hungarian footballer to win the Premier League title, with his manager praising his achievement for putting Hungarian football "on the international map." Szoboszlai, who signed for Liverpool for €70 million and wears the iconic number 8 jersey, expressed pride in his milestone while remaining driven to achieve more. Read more here

Orbán Reflects on Political Succession: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed concerns about the future leadership of the Fidesz party, highlighting the importance of a successor to continue his legacy. As he acknowledges a potential transition in power dynamics, analysts suggest he may strategically consider stepping back from the Prime Minister role as the Tisza Party emerges as a formidable challenger for the 2026 elections. Read more here

Tiger Cubs Born at Budapest Zoo: Exciting news! The Budapest Zoo has welcomed two Siberian tiger cubs born to mother Agnes, with only caretakers allowed to see them for now. The cubs' parents were brought in last year to aid in breeding efforts for the endangered species, marking the first tiger births at the zoo since 2013. Read more here

Protesters Facing Heavy Fines: Recent records from the Momentum party indicate that over a hundred individuals have reached out for legal assistance, with more than eighty receiving fines totaling 11 million forints, averaging about 137,000 forints each. Most fines stem from traffic violations, commonly around 84,000 forints, while some reached up to 104,000 forints. Read more here

-