Hungary refused to recall its Ambassador to Iran following a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on Thursday, news-wire MTI reported, saying it would cripple normal day-to-day operations due to its limited staff. Despite this the Hungarian Government joins is European allies in utterly condemning the attack on the Iranian British Embassy, Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos [...]
Arriving on the heels of embarrassing news about Hungary’s ‘new’ relationship with the IMF and the Government’s confusing PR campaign about “this time being different,” the Orban-cabinet was dealt another crushing financial blow on Friday morning. For the first time in 15 years, Hungary’s credit rating was downgraded to ‘junk’ (Ba1) status by Moody’s Investment [...]
A warning has been issued in Budapest, after a leading paediatric hospital (Svabhegyi Gyogyintezet) reported an alarming increase in the number of children with respiratory complaints due to excessive smog levels. Patient numbers could double in the coming days, the center said in a press release, as even children with no previous history of respiratory [...]
At a news conference on Tuesday, PM Viktor Orban announced that his cabinet has reaquired 21.2 percent in the oil giant MOL for EUR 1.88 billion – a package previously owned by Russian Surgutneftegas. Orban’s statement comes after a year-long string of negotiations, that he said “secured” the Hungarian oil company and described as a [...]
Charles Zentai, a Hungarian-born Australian who was set to appear at a court hearing to appeal against extradition to Hungary for alleged war crimes lost his ability to speak due to a stroke suffered on Friday, according to the Australian Associated Press. Zentai’s son Ernies Steiner said a successful extradition procedure would kill his father. [...]
Several extreme right-wing nationalists in Slovakia have emerged since the recent major events unfolding in Hungary, to harness the political implications and further their agenda related to Slovakian Hungarians in minority. Jan Slota, the co-founder and President of the Slovak National Party (an extremist chauvinist party) said the Hungarian Government renamed the country from The [...]
The Goulash Nation was recently shocked by weekly Heti Valasz after the paper revealed that the wife of Muammar Gaddafi has Hungarian roots – a secret that has been closely guarded by the blood-drenched Libyan dictator. The paper said Safia Farkash (nee Zsofia Farkas) could even apply for naturalization under the new expedited citizenship law, [...]
The Hungarian Socialist Party is anticipating snap elections, based on intelligence gathered from Fidesz circles, President Attila Mesterhazy said on Monday, according to daily Nepszava. To prepare, the party has launched a new initiative – Mestarhazy says a network of several thousand socialist activists will be the new reality in Hungary. “Fidesz will be confronted [...]
According to Hungarian media several thousands of the world’s skyscrapers, including those in Japan that resisted the monstrous 9.0 earthquake, employ safety systems invented by a Hungarian. Sandor Tarics (born September 23, 1913) created the technology in the 70s, which works the same way as the shock absorbers in your car’s suspension. The building will [...]
The Robin Hood Action Squad, formed on Monday by the NGO group ‘White Chimney Sweepers’ (WCS), pledged to put an end to evictions of families in Hungary due to (allegedly) fraudulent mortgages, daily Magyar Hirlap reported. WCS President Tamas Dabasi claimed that Hungarian authorities have so far failed to put an end to “white collar [...]
According to government sources undisclosed by origo.hu, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s trip to Egypt just days before the uprising was “hurried” by EU foreign policy leaders, although none foresaw the coming domestic crisis. The sources, close to the Hungarian Government and the Foreign Ministry, said Brussels has not criticized Orban due to the timing [...]
Leading real estate developer (and allegedly the richest man in Hungary), Sandor Demjan, said the “international environment” could assimilate Hungary soon without improvement in employment and production statistics. This could mean the disappearance of the country as we know it, he said. Demjan said the new development scheme named after the greatest Hungarian, Count Szechenyi, [...]
State prosecution on Thursday filed charges against former communist Interior Minister Bela Biszku, for “denial of the crimes of national socialist and communist regimes.” The charges are based on an August interview with Biszku, where he denied the ’56 Hungarian Revolution and claimed that he had personally “restored order” during his term as Minister, following [...]
Concerning developments in the state of Hungarian democracy, human rights and rule of law are set to be scrutinized by the European Council’s regular ‘current affairs debate’ session on Wednesday, according to Hungarian media, despite the fact that the Goulash Nation is the currently acting President of the the European Union. The probe was proposed [...]
Liberal economist and MEP Lajos Bokros on Thursday ‘renounced’ the Hungarian Democratic Pary (MDF – now outside the parliament and in shambles) saying he is only accountable directly; to his voters. The statement follows a warning from MDF President Zsolt Makay, who told Magyar Hirlap that the party will be considering recalling Bokros from the [...]
Amid painful criticism from international media targeting recent reforms, the Hungarian Government on Monday launched its term as President of the Council of the European Union. After a preliminary festivities, more celebrations are scheduled for Jan 6 in the Parliament despite negative international “PR” recently attracted by pension, tax, constitutional and national bank reforms. Shouldering [...]
Hungarian state prosecution on Monday has initiated the release of home birth activist Agnes Gereb, from police custody. Imprisonment is to be replaced by home confinement, during the pending legal procedure for the death of an infant allegedly strangled by Gereb. Gereb has been under preliminary police custody since October, after an incident resulting in [...]
Several NGOs protested on Sunday against pension reform saying the Government is desperately forcing its citizens to leave their private pension funds for a state account so the budget can be sustained, despite officials claiming that the move is voluntary. PM Viktor Orban in a Facebook video message reacted that the move intends to alleviate [...]
Hungary’s sovereign credit rating on Monday was reduced to Baa3 from Baa1 by Moody’s Investors Service, according to Bloomberg. Baa3 is the lowest investment grade, and one step away from speculative, or “junk” category. The Hungarian Forint weakened after the announcement. “Today’s downgrade is primarily driven by the Hungarian government’s gradual but significant loss of [...]
Continued support post-election is virtually unheard of in Hungary, according to analysts, but the Government has kept its two-thirds majority fully intact, several recent polls show. It’s no surprise, according to Government Spokesperson Anna Nagy who on Tuesday said the cabinet’s first “semester” has been characterized by dynamic decision making including 80 decrees, 131 rulings [...]
Arriving on the heels of media rumors concerning state acquisition of Hungarian oil giant MOL, a second instance court decision on Thursday said the company acted within legal boundaries, when it placed prohibition on board membership for its Russian shareholder Szurgutnyeftyegaz. MOL officials said denial was a reaction to the Russian company’s refusal to unveil [...]
On a three day visit to to Budapest, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Ahani on Wednesday said the time has come to revive Iranian-Hungarian economic, cultural, scientific and political relations, claiming that Hungary has “neglected” its ties outside the European Union. Meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi, Ali Ahani said the two countries look [...]
After appointing the “three faces of Hungary” representing the nation during the 2011 EU Presidency (pictured), preparations for spearheading the European Union entered full swing on Wednesday as several members of the Hungarian Government visited Brussels to finalize key policy aspects. PM Viktor Orban is set to meet with EC President Herman van Rompuy and [...]
Jealousy played a key role in the murder of a Hungarian man, shot dead in Austria by a police officer who also wounded the man’s girlfriend before committing suicide, Austrian public radio (ORF) reported on Monday morning – according to MTI. The Hungarian consulate in Vienna has yet to confirm the reports.
The Hungarian Parliament on Wednesday passed a law permitting local public institutions to purchase produce from local farms without an often protracted and severely bureaucratic ‘public procurement process’. Hungarian Agricultural Minister Sandor Fazekas (left) and Government Spokesperson Anna Nagy announced the change in the small town of Many, near Budapest. Small farmers will no longer [...]
Nokia Siemens Networks has picked Budapest for its global railway communications center, the company’s Hungarian MD Robert Esik said at a press conference on Monday. The move is claimed to create 100 jobs this year. Hungarian Economic Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy and Finnish Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi, on an official Hungarian visit this week, toured the [...]
Anonymous sources in a Monday report of left-leaning daily Nepszava claimed that the Hungarian Bank Alliance (BSz) plans to torpedo the controversial bank tax proposed by Economic Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy (pictured), insisting that the solution to sustaining budget deficit targets in 2011 lies elsewhere. BSz claimed the HUF 200 billion burden on the financial sector [...]
Hungarian Agricultural Minister Sandor Fazekas (pictured) on Wednesday announced that the Government has filed an appeal at the European Commission, to extend the moratorium on the acquisition of crop land for foreign nationals in Hungary to April 30, 2014. Fazekas said the move is due to the weakening position of Hungarian farmers, who were left [...]
As part of the Hungarian Government’s determined sweep for accountability, Commissioner Ferenc Papcsak on Monday claimed that former Socialist Social Minister Erika Szucs was employed for doing no work whatsoever, after leaving her job at the Ministry. In the contract, Szucs had been falsely registered as a Government Commissioner (which she was not- according Papcsak), [...]
LISBON, Sep 4, 2010 A trial that dragged on for six years amidst public outrage ended Friday in Portugal with the unexpected sentencing of prominent personalities, found guilty in a child sex abuse scandal that shook the nation. The sex ring scandal involving the Casa Pía state-run children’s home in Lisbon broke in late 2002, [...]
The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSzP) on Thursday announced its new communication officers former TV presenter Kata Kormos (pictured left) and former MP Zsolt Torok. Kormos said she believes in the party’s revival and that she intends to explain the socialist stance on people’s everyday problems, on a personal level. “Hungarians are confused about what’s going [...]
For the first time in more than a decade, the Dalai Lama, the Buddhist leader of religious officials of the Gelug or “Yellow Hat” branch of Tibetan Buddhism is scheduled to visit Hungary on Sept 18-19. Tickets for his lecture are already sold out, according to reports, as it has sparked international interest due to [...]
As the Orban Government implements its new economic policy allegedly focusing on the middle class, mortgage owners on Tuesday awoke in Hungary to a skyrocketing Swiss Franc, which could cause monthly payments for many to rise through the roof. Setting an all-time record on Tuesday morning, one Swiss Franc rose to 221.70 HUF, which analysts [...]
BUDAPEST – Six were killed and 13 injured in a Bratislava (formerly Hungarian Pozsony -ed) in a street shooting on Monday morning, according to Bratislava Ambulance officials, InfoRadio reported. The attacker, a 15-year-old drug addict according to locals, committed suicide. The victims, including a 3-year-old boy, have been taken to Bratislava Hospital, ambulance spokesperson Dominika [...]
Speaking at the annual Ambassadors’ Summit on Monday in Budapest, PM Viktor Orban said that national unity has arrived in Hungary in 2010. For the diplomatic sphere, this means that the nation has regained its voice on the international stage, he added. Orban claimed that his Government has restored the rule of law in Hungary, [...]
With the upcoming Municipal Elections to be held without Budapest’s Gabor Demszky due to his withdrawal, caucus leaders delivered goodbye speeches thanking the outgoing politician for his his alleged work, at the City Council’s Thursday meeting. Fidesz leader Istvan Gyorgy said that criticizing Demszky is “not appropriate” at such a meeting, but added that his [...]
Budapet Airport’s recent photo completion, which included more than 280 participants, celebrated the institution’s 60th birthday.
A Hungarian officer serving in Baghlan province was killed in a convoy attack on Monday, the Defense Ministry told Hungarian News Wire MTI. Two others sustained severe injuries in the conflict.
The Hungarian Tax Agency (APEH), could gain the power to eavesdrop on citizens as the Government recently initiated its merger with the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard (VPOP), an organization with the jurisdiction to carry out police-style investigations. The merger, overseen by recently appointed APEH President Ildiko Vida, has left security experts worried about excessive [...]
Hungarian National Flood Relief Agency Director Gyorgy Bakondi (pictured) on Wednesday told reporters that the Government must provide emergency housing for all homeless flood victims by the end of October. Bakondi said that funds will be redirected from the Aug 20 fireworks show (worth HUF 150 million) to the renovation of destroyed homes. The Director [...]
My name is Robert Keats of Canada and I wish to tell a story of a Hero. The story starts early one morning in Alberta (Canada) when Mr. Laszlo Korozstos was getting his work truck ready for the day, when just a little was from him a women was clearing the snow off her car. [...]
Chelsea FC’s defender Ashley Cole (29) has reportedly been made an offer he can’t refuse and will not be joining Spain’s most famous soccer team Real Madrid, after all. He will stay with the British premier league, according to Blues (Chelsea FC) manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has dubbed Cole the “best left-back in the world.” [...]
Named after the world-famous Hungarian composer, the Bela Bartok International Choir Competition was held for the 24th time in Debrecen, finishing with German victory on Sunday. Participants from 14 countries around the globe, including China and Venezuela, competed in five categories with finals held between the Peking Philharmonic Choir, the Debrecen Grammar School Choir, the [...]
A ‘new world’ is to be erected, according to the Hungarian Government’s election program. While this is true in terms of staffing top-level public institutions (according to analysts), PM Viktor Orban on Thursday announced the ‘Szechenyi’ Plan, which will also staff Hungarian SMEs by creating 1 million jobs and boosting the Hungarian economy. Orban said [...]
As the Orban cabinet received the first, much-appreciated compliments from international media, such as from The Times’s Adam Lebor (curiously a former harsh critic of the Hungarian PM), its ministers have been spurred to react with self-confidence. Public Administration and Justice Minister Tibor Navracsics on Monday said the Orban cabinet has completed its goals of [...]
On request from High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi is to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 22-23, according to a Ministry press release. On Wednesday, Martonyi held a preliminary meeting with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, who said China [...]
The Hungarian currency plunged to 290 against the Euro on Monday, as the meeting between the Government and an IMF/EU delegation failed due to disagreements over parts of the country’s so-called fiscal consolidation plan and PM Viktor Orban’s 29 economic action points. A key point under IMF fire was Orban’s bank tax, which will inhibit [...]
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy on Thursday paid a four-day visit to Hungary. Kennedy met with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi. His visit comes as Hungary begins a process to rewrite its Constitution. Regarding this process, Justice Kennedy said, “The people of Hungary have the opportunity to restate to [...]
As the major heat wave hit Hungary this week, a level three warning was issued by the Hungarian Surgeon General on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, Dr. Judit Paller (pictured left) said the required emergency measures will include monitoring water quality and safety. Paller added that an emergency level warning will be unlikely, which would require [...]
It was the best of Budapest, it was the worst of Budapest – was what various representatives of the political spectrum say about the 20 years liberal mayor Gabor Demszky has spent in office. But as the ‘Demszky era’ comes to a close, four candidates have lined up to run for the coveted position, possessing [...]
The Government has decided to reduce the budget of the Aug 20 national holiday celebration by 50%, Justice Ministry Spokesman Zoltan Kovacs (pictured second from right) said, speaking to reporters in flood-stricken Edeleny. The news comes after a recent Facebook initiative demanding to scrap celebration expenses altogether, donating its entire budget to flood-reparation causes. Kovacs [...]
It seems that right-leaning media in Hungary can never get enough of the scandals of the Gyurcsany-cabinet, even during a Fidesz Government. According to daily Magyar Nemzet, former Social Minister Erika Szucs was commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs to work on press monitoring for HUF 6 million, four months after leaving office. The [...]
According to a Hungarian Foreign Ministry statement on Friday, American authorities speaking to the Hungarian consul, have confirmed finding the body of one of the victims of the Delaware River accident. The search for the other missing Hungarian continues, the statement said.
One of the most exciting multicultural festivals in Central Europe, four days long, with 15 stages and approximately 200 programs: concerts, DJs, theater shows and performances. The festival is characterized by its wide variety of musical styles: rock, pop, jazz, hip-hop, electro, world music… Sopron, the town hosting VOLT Festival lies on the Austrian-Hungarian border, [...]
It was a sad day for Hungarian liberals on Wednesday, as analysts were not even surprised when Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky revealed to reporters that he has left the liberal party Alliance of Free Democrats. Demszky said he would rather exclude himself, as the formerly glorious ‘democratic light of the regime change era’ is now [...]
Incoming Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova on Wednesday said she intends to withdraw planned retaliatory measures against Hungarian dual citizenship. Despite this, speaking to Hungarian weekly HVG, she said Hungarian dual citizenship will be “annulled” in Slovakia. The statements come as the a new center-right coalition government launches in Slovakia, which includes Hungarian-Slovakian ‘reconciliation’ party [...]
After just two months in office, the Orban cabinet is facing devastating opposition fire from left-leaning media including daily Nepszava, who recently accused the center-right government of designing the incoming ‘bank tax’ around companies close to party circles. These the paper says would be treated more leniently by the new legislation. Nepszava claimed that one [...]
The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) on Wednesday fined L’Oreal Hungary for HUF 5 million for unfounded marketing claims in advertisements of several products including Vichy Liftactiv CxP, Revitalift and Vichy Cellu Metric. The cosmetics giant said it is examining the possibilities to appeal against the decision in court. GVH officials added that tests concerning the [...]
Experts are concerned in Hungary as to the relationship of the Orban-cabinet with online media outlets, as new legislation may push for stricter control over online publishers including owners of personal blogs – who could be compelled to register with authorities. Adding to worries in a more lighthearted way, controversy broke out on Friday over [...]
Six unions on Thursday filed a complaint with the Hungarian Constitutional Court (AB), seeking to annul the Government’s legislation modifying the regulation of layoffs in the civil servant sector, according to newswire Fuggetlen Hirugynokseg (FH). The amendment allows the Government to layoff public employees without justification, according to Jozsef Feher, Chariman of the Civil Servants’ [...]
A Budapest conference on Thursday called for initiatives supporting a stable business climate for the property sector, as a recent Hungarian Statistical Office (KSH) study reported worrying trends in the Hungarian real estate industry, such as 15.7% decreasing volume of construction. According to Henrik Toth, the President of the Joint Venture Alliance’s Economic Strategy Commission, [...]
The Hungarian Prime Minister’s personal economic consultant, Gyorgy Szapary, told portal fn.hu on Tuesday that the Government will seek to renew the loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund, after the current one expires in 2010. Szapary said the Government has no plans to borrow, but will seeks to restore investor confidence by running a [...]
On the heels of dire news from the small Northeastern town, media reports from Felsozsolca once again shocked public opinion as a complete lack of solidarity was displayed by the small town’s authorities. Citizens who were vacated from their homes by the flood reported receiving notices from the mayor’s office to demolish homes deemed “dangerous,” [...]
The ‘bank tax’ to be levied by the Orban cabinet’s first economic ‘action plan’ caused international uproar and could depress the Hungarian economy even further, according to a Friday report by Bloomberg. The financial wire claims to have obtained a letter signed by International Banking Federation (IBF) President Alessandro Profumo, which calls for “profound modification” [...]
The Czechs secured victory at the recent European Athletics Team Championships (First League) in Budapest. Participants included Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and Turkey. The event was the last major competition before the upcoming European Championships in Barcelona.
A Budapest conference organized by the Joint Venture Alliance (JVSz) and ITD Hungary on Wednesday sought break-out strategies from the prolonged effects of the economic crisis by focusing on the untapped potential of Far-eastern markets for Hungarian SMEs. State Secretary of the Economic Ministry Zsolt Becsey suggested that export should be directed towards China, Russia [...]
The recent release of the documentary Bun es buntetlenseg (‘Guilt and Impunity’) about the life of Bela Biszku (former communist minister responsible for retribution after the ’56 Revolution) sparked controversy in Hungary, as the Biszku family attempted to ban its screening but gave in after pressure from several directions including the Parliamentary Committee for Culture [...]
Jozsef Debreczeni, writer and failed candidate of the MDF party in the 2010 elections, was acquitted of defamation on Tuesday after a Budapest court declared that his statements concerning security company UD Zrt. fall under the right to free speech and should be constitutionally protected. Debreczeni had made the statements in September 2008, in an [...]
U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis on June 21 opened trading at the Budapest Stock Exchange (BET) with a symbolic ringing of the bell (replica of the bell indicating the start of trading at the New York Stock Exchange), marking the 5001st day of trading at the institution. In her opening address, Tsakopoulos Kounalakis [...]
According to a Hungarian internet blog report, victims of recent record flooding located in Northeastern town Felsozsolca have been neglected by authorities responsible for flood relief and are facing unbearable circumstances including complete lack of food, shelter and security. According to reports, groups of victims have been rejected “registration” as victims, after insisting on remaining [...]
The Savaria International Dance festival was recently held in Hungary, featuring several events of the International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF), including the IDSF Latin Cup Europe and the ISDF Open. Photos by Dr. Tibor Milibak.
The IMF’s new head of its Hungarian mission, Christopher Rosenberg, in a statement on Thursday said the organization welcomes the Fidesz Government’s commitment to sustain a 3.8% budget deficit with “correctional measures” if necessary, wire MTI reported. Rosenberg held “informal but useful” talks with the Hungarian cabinet from Monday to Wednesday, and added the IMF [...]
A group of 400 Hungarians marched on the French Palace of Trianon in Versailles on Friday, to the signing scene of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI and confiscated two thirds of Hungary to its surrounding neighbors, portal Index reported. The event, organized by the World Federation of Hungarians (MVSz), was joined by radical [...]
As Hungary commemorates the sordid anniversary the Treaty of Versailles, which confiscated two-thirds of the country, more than 3700 have been forced to leave their homes by Sunday, due to record flooding affecting eight counties designated as crisis zones (Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, Nógrád, Bács-Kiskun, Békés, Csongrád and Fejér). According to Government Spokesperson Anna Nagy (pictured), [...]
Interior Minister Sandor Pinter on Tuesday announced he has launched a massive police initiative in BAZ County to reduce lawlessness in a region that has been described as being in a severe crisis due to the unbearable amount of crime. While parties are divided on the causes, radical parliamentary party Jobbik (and recently Roma leader [...]
While it could be said that Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Viktor Orban’s declaration that a revolution has taken place in Hungary may come under suspicion of being a hyperbole, the same is true for several statements from the opposition – one of whom claimed that the new Government’s officals have in fact “lost their mind” after becoming [...]
In a move that Hungarian media described as an effort of retaliation against the introduction of Hungarian dual citizenship for ethnic Hungarians, the Slovak Parliament on Monday announced it will convene to discuss the new situation created by the Fidesz Government’s efforts described as harmless by most international political analysts. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico [...]
In an all-encompassing sweep enforcing accountability for economic dishonesty in the last 8 years, Fidesz has launched its Economic Fact-finding Commission (EFFC), which already claims it has found a series of skeletons in the closet amounting to HUF 170 billion in the 2010 Hungarian budget. The Hungarian Finance Ministry on Friday denied the allegations in [...]
The Hungarian PM, during his lasts days in office, has been forced to declare emergency in several parts of BAZ county, which was stricken by devastating storm from Saturday on, causing severe flooding in several parts of Hungary – leaving more than 2100 inhabitants displaced. Bajnai on Monday told a press conference in Miskolc that [...]
As the incoming Hungarian government and its opposition squabble over seats in parliamentary commissions, its outgoing counterpart is enjoying the fruits of its term in office, one of which manifested in a phone call from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday – who complemented Gordon Bajnai on what she termed as “achievements” of [...]
Public companies’ top management have taken extreme measures in the last 20 years of Hungarian democracy, to refute the claim that these positions are appointed on a political basis by the ruling government party. Turning the tables, Hungarian Development Bank (MFB) CEO Janos Eros on Friday said he will resign once the new government launches [...]
In a speech that may have been his last public appearance as Hungarian Prime Minister, Gordon Bajnai on Friday addressed an unemployment and Roma issues conference organized by think tank and polling institute Tarki. The PM was hard pressed to offer spectacular solutions produced by the last eight years of Socialist government, for problems that [...]
Appointed Interior Minister Sandor Pinter on Monday called former Budapest Police Chief Peter Gergenyi’s actions during 2006 mass unrests (in which several peaceful bystanders were brutally assaulted by police who shot into crowds with rubber bullets – causing gaping wounds and even loss of eyesight) “lawful,” which party leaders failed to condemn during a caucus-forming meeting [...]
International media have guessed their way through the recent general elections, concerning Fidesz’s intentions upon achieving two thirds of constituents – a threshold that allegedly empowers a government to enact the deepest reforms democratically possible. However, according to Budapest-based think tank Perspective Institute, Fidesz’s ‘two-thirds policy aims’ are clear. In a recent press release, the [...]
No party has, since the change of regime in Hungary, managed to rake-in the votes to form government alone, without coalition. This time though, Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Union has gained support that enables it to do that and more. Winning 54 constituencies out of 57 in the second round on Sunday (at 90.83 percent [...]
Daily broadsheet newspaper The Washington Times on Monday reported an an alleged history of extensive business connections between U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis and U.S. House Speaker Nanci Pelosi, who the paper suggested had assisted Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis to become ambassador. Since 1991, Pelosi’s husband’s real estate partnership investments with Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis’ father have netted him between [...]
The Hungarian flag in front of the Parliament on Kossuth square flew half-staff on Saturday, accompanied by the playing of the national anthem during the Government’s ceremony mourning Polish President Lech Kaczynski’s tragic death on April 10. Dignitaries including President Laszlo Solyom, outgoing PM Gordon Bajnai, Speaker of the House Bela Katona layed wreaths at [...]
The second (supplementary) round of the Hungarian general election is likely to bring a two-thirds majority for the winning center-right party Fidesz, according to analysts, which could give Viktor Orban’s (pictured) party the power to alter the Hungarian constitution and enact the deepest economic reforms. Claiming 52.76 percent of votes in the first round on [...]
Russian authorities on Monday withheld takoff permission for the flight of Hungarian Defense Minsiter Imre Szekeres to Afghanistan, according to Hungarian media reports. Russian officials have not commented on the affair. According to Hungarian daily Nepszabadsag, Szekeres’ delegation was detained due to administrative reasons, and improper passport handling during their arrival to Russia. Hungarian media [...]
Hungarian PM Gordon Bajnai visited the UK on Tuesday and addressed Chatham House, a non-profit NGO based in London, whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. Bajnai warned that Europe must anticipate that economic growth will be slower after the crisis, and that overcoming state debt [...]
Two reconnaissance jets of the Israeli Air Force (IASF) were seen flying across Hungary yesterday, approaching Budapest Airport twice but not landing, according to daily Magyar Nemzet. Istvan Bocskai, spokesman for the Hungarian Ministry of Defense (HM), told the daily that the planes possessed diplomatic permission but declined to comment saying these were not issued [...]
The Forint continued to strengthen against the Euro today, as the exchange rate reached HUF 262.71 by noon, breaking the five month record high set on Tuesday. One USD was 190.61, while Swiss Franks were traded at HUF 181.03.
Greek Prime Minister Jeorjiosz Papandreu on Tuesday paid an official visit to Hungary and held talks with his Hungarian counterpart Gordon Bajnai. In a press conference after the meeting, Bajnai said Hungary would like call for support for the crisis-ridden Greece in Brussels, to help its Government to push through with reforms needed to deal [...]
Anti-government protesters yet again took to the streets today, during the Government’s official celebrations of anniversary of the 1848-49 March 15th Revolution and War of Freedom. Held again behind a barricade of cordons, the ceremonial raising of the flag to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday on Kossuth ter was disturbed by the shouting of angry [...]
March in Hungary has seen temperatures drop below Spring-time averages and even considerable snowfall. Despite the obvious dangers of this to the homeless, the Government has lifted the ban on expulsions of families living in foreclosed homes, put in place originally to protect them from freezing to death on the streets. According Hungarian Credit Alliance [...]
The Government, in a recent decree tightened regulations concerning the possession of firearms in Hungary. The move comes as a reaction to a deadly school-shooting in November, and the recent arrest of a university student planning a murder spree with a legally-owned handgun. From now on, would-be firearm owners will be compelled to undergo extensive [...]
Former Budapest Deputy Mayor Miklos Hagyo was reported by Hungarian media to have re-registered all his personal real estate, including several 12th District villas, under the name of his daughter and is said to be planning to escape an impending legal procedure by fleeing abroad. The news comes after former BKV CEO Zsolt Balogh’s Saturday [...]
As the Hungarian election campaign intensifies, local government politics also join the popularity contest. In the third district, the municipality was recently accused by MSzP representative Laszlo Kiss, of planning to oust families from their homes, due to the large number of late rent payments (in municipality-owned homes). Kiss claimed that up to 250 families [...]
According to Hungarian press reports, Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary (MBMH) has already signed EUR 50 million worth of supplier contracts related to its Kecskemet factory. Although still under construction, the plant has already recruited 70 staff members, and will launch recruitment of technical personnel in the near future, company officials stated. This phase of [...]
Radical Jobbik Vice-president and MP candidate Tamas Sneider on Monday denied accusations of having connection to local organized crime figures in Northeastern Hungarian Gyongyos. Sneider claimed to be a victim of a “full-throttle offensive” launched by center-right Fidesz, after a conservative daily, Demokrata (The Democrat), aired a recording of his suggestion to party fellows to [...]
2009. december 1 – 2010. március 15. Museum of Fine Arts Parmigianino’s career spanning barely two decades made a deep impression on Italian art. Although he created only around fifty paintings and most of his frescoes are found in his native Parma and its vicinity, nevertheless few other artists exerted such a great influence. Parmigianino [...]
Metallica, the world’s most influential heavy metal band will play in Budapest on May 14 in Budapest’s Puskas Ferenc Stadium. Fans’ dreams will now come true after 11 years of waiting for James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo. The ‘World Magnetic Tour ‘, was launched this year and has already been seen [...]
During the XI. European Chess Championship in Rieka, this week’s second round saw 17 Hungarian participants winning 7 points. Viktor Erdos and Imre Hera attained victory for the second time, followed by the surprise defeat of Csaba Balogh. Two players remain flawless after 53 days at the chess tournament. In the women’s division, Schneider Veronika [...]
Jurgen Zopp defeated Adam Kellner, giving the Estonians a 3 to 1 insurmountable lead over the Hungarians at the first round of the Euro-African Zone’s second division of the Davis Cup in Tallin.
As the Hungarian Socialist party’s campaign held its kick-off rally, the party’s Prime Minister candidate went on to attack the center-right before an audience of about four thousand, most of them pensioners, who are considered to be the remaining voting stratum for MSzP. There’s something admirable about the way the Hungarian Government express their pride [...]
Hungarian PM Gordon Bajnai on Wednesday held talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Budapest. The meeting addressed the Europe 2020 Strategy program, a plan determining the EU’s fate for 10 years. A need for closer economic cooperation was highlighted, according to Hungarian news agency MTI. The Hungarian PM stressed the need to [...]
Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai on Friday inaugurated an upgrade to Southwestern Hungarian Komlo’s Futoeromu, containing a biomass-powered block funded by the European Union. The HUF 1.4 billion system had received HUF 500 million in subsidies. With a capacity of 18 megawatts, the Government claims it will reduce central heating costs by 25% for more [...]
Hungarian National Tourist Office President Akos Niklai filed for resignation on Friday, citing personal reasons, news wire MTI reported. Local Government Ministry officials told MTI that the request has been approved by Minister Zoltan Varga.
According to MSzP Spokesman Istvan Nyako, center-right Fidesz’s actions have caused investors to “leave.”
Spain, Belgium and Hungary discussed the “strategic program” of the trio’s upcoming joint presidency.
The Hungarian Constitutional Court (AB) on Tuesday repealed the ‘wealth tax’ bill, threatening family budgets across Hungary.
Foreign Minister Peter Balazs and Hungarian Chamber of Commerce President Laszlo Parragh signed an agreement on Jan 22. The Ministry in a statement stated the deal will increase cooperation between foreign policy and businesses, due to the demands of a changing global economy.
Bajnai said Hungary’s growth rate must exceed the EU average by two percentage points if the country is to be competitive.
Finance Minister Peter Oszko claimed that Hungary could avoid further IMF assistance.
Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis said the U.S. Administration believes Hungarian measures to reinvigorate the economy have been successful.
Hungarian civil activist group Smokebusters (Fustirtok) claims the case of corruption could cost more than HUF 5 billion.
Center-right Fidesz MEP Eniko Gyori questioned Competition Commissioner Joachim Almunia’s political independence, at an EP hearing.
Investment and Trade Developement Agency (ITD Hungary) CEO Gyorgy Retfalvi was dismissed with immediate effect by the Hungarian Economic Minister.
The title of ‘European Cultural Capital’, which migrates annually from town to town, was created 25 years ago. It arrived to Southern Hungarian Pecs on Sunday, as a gala event drew thousands to celebrate the inauguration of the “Borderless City,” into its new role of spearheading European cultural exchange. Addressing the ceremony, Hungarian Prime Minister [...]
Unemployment is soaring, while deficit statistics could be planting a sense of false security, according to economist Laszo Csaba.
Up to 80 percent of involuntary patients, undergoing forced treatment in Hungary, have committed violent crimes.
Politics Can be Different (LMP) is the new umbrella organization for Hungarian liberal voters, according to several political analysts.
Striking bus drivers pressured Budapest Transport Limited (BKV) by refusing to accept working conditions in their vehicles.
Hungarian word stems make up the core vocabulary and are used in a complex system to form word trees. While this phenomenon is present in other languages, it is a major characteristic of Hungarian and a possible proof of its ancient origins. The Hungarian language is agglutinative. This means that, contrary to most other languages, [...]
A part of most Magyar dishes, the role of ‘savanyusag’ is often misunderstood by foreigners in Hungary.
A secret service study claims that the fomer PM’s speech was not wiretapped but recorded as a personal conference log.
The PM stressed Hungary’s low per capita emission levels compared to developed nations, in a preliminary speech.
The crisis will even affect holiday sales, although retailers hope for the Christmas gift rush to boost sales, despite weak buying power.
Draskovics denied hidden motives behind his resignation, while the opposition accused the Minister of hiding a skeleton in the closet.
A first-instance court ruling condemned employer warnings handed out to workers staging a strike against violated agreements.
Science funding took center stage in a series of conferences hosted in Budapest, attended by the global figureheads of science policy.
Goulash was already present during the 2nd century, according to Chinese scholarly records of nomadic gastronomy.
The unique mythology of Hungarians tells the story of their forefathers arriving from the world of dreams.
Agoston Haraszty, an influential Hungarian emigrant to the U.S., left his mark on the formation of the state of California.
The paprika is one of the distinctively Hungarian spices, and its use is prevalent in many Hungarian dishes.
Puskas allegedly also introduced the word ‘hello’, during his testing of his other invention, the telephone exchange.
Hungary’s vegetable stew is called ‘fozelek’. The dish has developed into a complex system of toppings and cooking methods.
According to cultural rumors, Hungarian ‘szalonna’ is the father of modern bacon, both in name and form.
Among others, William Fox, the father of 20th Century Fox, was born Fuchs Vilmos in Hungary.
Including Gauss geometry, the VW Beetle and the electric starter
New-age movement built on Zoltan Pal’s findings
From Hungarian-born producer Alexander Korda
A Hungarian specialty bread, potato-based and fried in oil
