Latest news in Hungary - 28 Mar 2025

** Ketamine in Budapest ** BKK to increase prices ** WWII bomd found ** Mór massacre accomplice wants earlier release ** Revolut may build ATMs ** Decrease in births and marriages ** Tisza Party intimidated by mafia ** theatre funding clash

March 28, 2025

Clash Over Theatre Funding in Budapest: Actor Nagy Ervin has criticized Mayor Gergely Karácsony for creating unnecessary tension over a proposal to allocate 150 million forints to support independent performing arts organizations, which was voted down by opposing parties. Ervin argues for peace and cooperation, stating that board positions in the funding foundation should reflect democratic values rather than personal interests. Read more here

World War II Bombs Discovered Near Airport: Six American-made World War II aerial bombs were found during modernization works in a parking lot near Terminal 2 at Liszt Ferenc International Airport. The bombs have been safely transported for destruction, and no restrictions were required for citizens during the disposal operation. Read more here

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Hungarian Parties Spend Big on Facebook Ads: Over the past nine months, Hungarian political parties have spent 1.3 billion forints on Facebook advertising, with Fidesz leading at 1.1 billion forints. This spending, while lower than previous elections, remains significantly higher than neighboring countries, highlighting ongoing political campaigns and messaging strategies. Read more here

Revolut Eyeing ATM Expansion amid Government Mandates: With a need for 826 ATMs in Hungary based on its customer base, Revolut could capitalize on a government program promoting ATM installation in smaller settlements, despite concerns from local banks about the feasibility and costs of such infrastructure. The proposed plan seeks to ensure every settlement has access to cash, but poses questions about who will fund the new ATMs, especially in low-usage areas. Read more here

Decrease in Births and Marriages in February: February 2025 saw a 9.1% drop in births, with 5,653 children born compared to last year, while deaths decreased by 0.7%. The total number of marriages also fell by 14%, highlighting an overall trend of declining population growth. Read more here

Tisza Party Volunteers Intimidated by Mafia Associate: A Facebook video shows a man, identified as mafia associate Cs. Sándor, threatening Tisza Party volunteers in Budapest while they were setting up outside his store. The Tisza Party has reported the incident to the police and hopes for an official investigation. Read more here

Budapest’s Surprising Ketamine Rankings: A recent report by the European Union Drug Agency reveals that Budapest is the fifth highest for ketamine consumption globally and third in Europe, following Amsterdam and Eindhoven. The study analyzed wastewater data from over 68 million people across 128 cities and noted an increase in demand for many substances, particularly MDMA/ecstasy, while cannabis use has declined. Read more here

BKK Ticket Prices Set to Increase: Starting June 1, single ticket prices for public transport in Budapest will rise; single tickets will go from 450 to 500 forints and 30-minute tickets from 530 to 600 forints, while passes remain unchanged. This change aims to generate an additional 880 million forints annually, with the increase reflecting a 10-20% hike for occasional and daily tickets. Read more here

Accomplice in Mór Bank Heist Seeks Early Release: Robert Weiszdorn, imprisoned since 2007 for his role in the 2002 Mór bank massacre, is petitioning the European Court of Human Rights to reduce his 40-year sentence, hoping for release in 2032 instead of 2047. While his lawyer is optimistic that the court's recognition of his time served may influence Hungarian judges, any decision won't automatically ensure his release. Read more here

Rise in Young People Seeking Mental Health Support: The Kék Vonal Children's Crisis Foundation reported over 34,000 inquiries in the past year, with requests for help related to self-harm increasing fivefold in four years, reaching 1,600 cases. Young people aged 14 to 18 are most affected, with an average of 5 reported cases of suicidal thoughts daily, highlighting a concerning trend in mental health challenges among youth in Hungary. Read more here\

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