Hungary
Viktor Orban breaks taboo by hosting AfD’s Alice Weidel in Budapest, analysts react
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban defied a long-standing taboo by inviting Alternative for Germany co-leader Alice Weidel for an official meeting in Budapest.
Hungary ranked most corrupt country in EU in Transparency's CPI index
Hungary has retained its ranking as the European Union's most corrupt country for the third year in a row, according to the 2024 report released by Transparency International.
Hungary's leading fertiliser producer seeks bond payment deferral amid financial struggles
Hungary's largest fertiliser producer Nitrogenmuvek is proposing a 2-3 year delay to bondholders in repaying the $200mn corporate bonds due to mature in May 2025,
Hungary's January inflation soars to 5.5%, 0.7pp above forecast
Hungary's January inflation surprised analysts by accelerating more than expected, with the annual rate jumping from 4.6% to 5.5% (chart), driven by the rise in food prices and higher tax levies.
Hungary marks the first anniversary of Clemency-Gate and the ascent of opposition leader Peter Magyar
Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar is commemorating the first anniversary of the social media post that sparked his political transformation, propelling him from an insider within the Fidesz ecosystem to Viktor Orban’s foremost challenger.
Hungary's Economy Minister hints at reintroducing price caps amid rising inflation
National Economy Minister Marton Nagy in a social media post on February 10 has hinted that the government may reintroduce price caps to protect households from rising prices.
Viktor Orban references ‘great replacement’ and ‘Reconquista’ in speech at European radical right-wing gathering
The summit of the Patriots for Europe group in Madrid was a huge demonstration of strength, a powerful parade of troops from a new European right, according to Fidesz commentators after the gathering of radical-right-wing, Eurosceptic parties.
Hungary’s atomic energy watchdog orders partial halt of construction at Paks NPP expansion site after incident
Hungary's National Atomic Energy Authority has ordered a partial halt to construction at the Paks II nuclear power plant after a section of the southern wall of the excavation pit collapsed.
Viktor Orban calls for "elimination of Soros network" after scathing documentary on enrichment of Orban family
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for the "full elimination of the Soros network" and stated that sanctions must be imposed against anyone who accepts foreign funds with the aim of influencing Hungarian politics.
Europe's economic woes made worse by looming trade war with US, says Goldman Sachs
Cyclical industries across Europe are in danger from the economic slowdown sweeping Europe, Goldman Sachs warned in a note on February 4. They were already reeling from years of a polycrisis, but now President Trump is threatening a trade war.
ING: Hungary moving in the wrong direction
ING has reassessed its Hungarian economic and market forecasts at a time when a plethora of indicators and moves in market consensus suggest that things won't improve quickly.
Hungarian government abandons €12bn 'Mini Dubai' project amid public outcry
The government has acknowledged Budapest's pre-emption rights for a 100-hectare brownfield area in the capital, effectively terminating a gigantic €12bn project promised by UAE-based Eagle Hills to build a new city district.
Fidesz in panic mode ahead of release of explosive documentary on Orban family’s wealth
Investigative outlet Direkt36 has released a trailer for its upcoming documentary on the Orban family’s business empire, sparking accusations from the government that the film is part of a foreign smear campaign.
Hungary’s retail lending soars to record levels in 2024
The outstanding lending stock of Hungarian households surged by 9.4% to a record of HUF11.1 trillion (€27.3bn) by the end of 2024, according to data from the National Bank. Compared to 2017, the stock has doubled from HUF5.8 trillion.
“Unchained” Trump is main risk to broadly positive Emerging Europe growth prospects
Steep US tariffs on the EU or a sudden cut in support for Ukraine are the major downside risks for the region, says new wiiw report.
Viktor Orban's financial savings below national average, his annual asset declaration shows
Hungarian MPs are required to submit asset declarations, but the system relies on self-reporting with no independent verification. There are no real consequences for misreporting or omitting information.
Hungary’s economy emerges from recession in Q4 but 2024 growth disappoints
After two consecutive quarters of decline, Hungary’s economy bounced back from recession in Q4, posting 0.5% q/q growth, beating analyst consensus by 0.3pp.
Hungary to enhance cooperation with UAE in defence and advanced technologies
Hungary and the United Arab Emirates have affirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in several areas "based on mutual respect".
Central and Eastern European banks defy expectations with robust 2024 earnings, says RBI
Banks across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe defied expectations and reported impressive returns on equity ranging between 15% and 20% in 2024, says Raiffeisen Bank International.
Hungarian PM arrives in UAE amid controversy surrounding flagship real estate development project
Prime Minister Viktor Orban is on a two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he will hold talks with UAE President and Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as leaders of Emirati companies.