Latest news in Hungary - 8 May 2025

Hungary's 2026 Election Budget Set to Break Records: The upcoming parliamentary election in Hungary is expected to be the most expensive in history, with over 30 billion forints earmarked for the event, marking a significant increase from previous elections. In addition to this, Minister of Economic Development Márton Nagy has announced a comprehensive budget plan aiming for a budget deficit of 3.7% and a GDP growth of 4.1% in 2026. Read more here\

EU Sues Hungary Over Migrant Smuggler Release: The European Commission is taking Hungary to the Court of Justice for its decree that allows convicted migrant smugglers to be released to serve "reintegration custody" in their home countries after serving minimal time. This move could lead to significant financial penalties for Hungary if the court rules against the government, adding to the already substantial fines related to refugee rights violations. Read more here\

Fekete-Győr Threatens to Leave Momentum Over 2026 Election Plans: Momentum party founder András Fekete-Győr announced he will exit the party if it decides to participate in the 2026 elections, arguing that such a move could endanger potential changes in government. He is proposing the establishment of a 500 million HUF System Change Fund to support protests and critical media against the Orbán regime. Read more here\

Slovakia Rejects EU Energy Proposal: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has dismissed the European Commission's plan to end reliance on Russian energy, labeling it "economic suicide" and expressing readiness to veto the proposal. The plan, part of the REPowerEU initiative, aims to halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, amid concerns about its impact on the EU's competitiveness and Slovakia's gas supply contract that expires in 2034. Read more here\

Funding Woes for Petőfi Bridge Renovation: Budapest's mayor's office has acknowledged the urgent need for the renovation of the severely corroded Petőfi Bridge, but due to budget constraints, no funds are currently allocated for the planning tender, with costs potentially reaching tens of billions of forints. The city is focusing on essential public services while seeking alternative funding sources, but has not received supportive response from the government for necessary financial assistance. Read more here\

Changes to Adoption Rules Proposed: The Hungarian government is proposing a new "single-level national adoption system," with details forthcoming, as Zsolt Semjén's legislative amendment focuses on reforming adoption regulations. Last year saw a significant rise in abandoned infants in hospitals, highlighting the urgent need for streamlined adoption processes. Read more here\

Prosecutor Proposes Prison Sentence for 24.hu Owner: The Metropolitan Chief Prosecutor's Office has proposed prison terms for media entrepreneur Zoltán Varga and three associates, accused of embezzling nearly 280 million HUF by selling a company below its actual value. They face charges of serious embezzlement, and the prosecutor is also seeking fines and bans from corporate management positions. Read more here\

Drunk Driver Flees Police for 100 km: A 30-year-old man from Borsod is under investigation for attempted murder after he fled police in a stolen car without a driver's license, speeding towards Budapest at up to 180 km/h. The dangerous chase involved multiple traffic violations and resulted in injuries to a police officer, prompting investigators to request his arrest. Read more here\

New Margin Cap on Household and Cosmetic Products: Hungary's government will impose a 15% margin cap on several household and cosmetic items starting May 19, with over 30 specific products affected, including toiletries and cleaning agents. This measure is set to last until August 31, amidst concerns by the National Retail Association regarding its potential negative effects on the economy. Read more here\

Hungarian Fugitive Arrested for Murder in Austria: A 32-year-old Hungarian man, Krisztián P., has been apprehended in the Netherlands after allegedly murdering his ex-girlfriend in a supermarket parking lot in Austria. Following the crime, he fled to Germany before being caught by Dutch police in Utrecht. The investigation by Salzburg authorities is ongoing. Read more here\

Gyurcsány Resigns from DK Leadership: Ferenc Gyurcsány has announced his resignation as president of the Democratic Coalition (DK) and plans to withdraw from public life, citing the need to combat false narratives from the Hungarian right. His party is now facing claims from the Mi Hazánk party, alleging that DK’s support has dwindled to just 2-3%. A new presidential election for the DK is expected soon, with Klára Dobrev set to run. Read more here\

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