With Austria’s veto lifted, Romania and Bulgaria are set to become full members of the Schengen area by 2025. The agreement was reached in Budapest under the auspices of the Hungarian EU Presidency, marking yet another success for the often-criticized presidency in recent weeks.

It’s official! As expected, US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman has announced his departure following Donald Trump’s victory. Pressman’s tenure will be remembered for his persistent criticism of the Hungarian government, and his exit may signal the start of a new chapter in Hungarian–American relations.

In a wide-ranging interview with Kossuth Radio, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressed critical global and domestic challenges, from the Ukraine war and impending changes in US leadership to the ICC warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu, Hungary’s stance on peace, migration, and a realigned economic strategy.

Budapest faces a worsening drug crisis, with drugs cheaper and more accessible than ever, warns Alexandra Szentkirályi, leader of the Fidesz–KDNP faction in the capital city’s municipal assembly warned in a video posted on social media. She expressed harsh criticism of the city’s drug strategy, describing it as ‘pro-drug’ and covert drug liberalization, urging an immediate overhaul.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri on charges of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned the decision, stating that Netanyahu will not be arrested if he visits Hungary.

‘Europe must break out of this echo chamber, find its place in its relationship with Asia, and recognize that it is part of the Eurasian region. It must leverage all the advantages this position offers, because without doing so, we cannot compete with other global power centres,’ Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned at the Eurasia Forum in Budapest.

The National Media and Infocommunications Authority’s Internet Hotline has made combating online abuse a priority with its autumn campaign, focusing on intimate image exploitation, grooming, and cyberbullying. This year’s campaign, supported by influencers like Pamkutya and the Mélylevegő Project, effectively reached younger audiences via social media and video-sharing platforms.

As Christmas approaches, experts warn of heightened cybercriminal activity and increasing online fraud. Representatives from financial, law enforcement, and victim support organizations highlighted the growing risks and prevention strategies at a conference in Budapest.

The Court of Justice of the European Union began its hearing on Hungary’s child protection law this week. Hungary faces opposition from 16 EU member states and the European Commission, which have labelled the law as ‘anti-LGBTQ’. A ruling against Budapest could carry significant and unforeseen implications for the future of the European Union.

‘Sovereign conservatism has a moral duty to prioritize what is best for your own people. If you are not strong enough to defend your position, you are not sovereign,’ Balázs Orbán stated. The political director to the Hungarian prime minister made this remark while participating in a conference hosted by the Danube Institute focusing on the foreign policy implications of a second Donald Trump presidency.

Energy markets, trade dynamics, and technological innovation are at the forefront of global economic concerns. The second panel of the Trump 2.0 event organized by the Danube Institute brought together experts to discuss expectations on how Trump’s second term might impact economy and trade policies.

From NATO dynamics to the conflict in Ukraine and the volatile Middle East, the re-election of Donald Trump raises pivotal questions about the trajectory of international relations. In a thought-provoking event organized by the Danube Institute, experts discussed what we can expect in the future of the US foreign policy.

The BudapestGO app is set to become more user-friendly with new features, including streamlined access to schedules, a dark mode option, and improved in-app communication. The improvements to BudapestGO are part of the ongoing efforts of the Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK) to assess user satisfaction and implement updates that reflect customer needs.

No-till farming is more than an erosion control method—it’s a gateway to improved soil health, enhanced water retention, and healthier food production. Former Hungarian President and Chairman of the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation János Áder and agricultural expert Ferenc Berend discussed this transformative technique on the Blue Planet podcast.

‘A new chapter is unfolding—the patriots have emerged on the horizon, and the era of sovereignty has begun,’ Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared at the first general assembly of the Patriots for Europe in Paris. The event, attended by the most prominent figures of the European right, saw Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s VOX party, elected as the new chairman of the political group.

Political director to Hungary’s Prime Minister Balázs Orbán highlighted the potential economic benefits of a Trump-led US administration, emphasized EU reforms, and detailed Hungary’s vision for boosting competitiveness and fostering global partnerships.

Prosecutors have initiated proceedings against another leader of the right-wing political group Patriots for Europe; this time Herbert Kickl, leader of the Austrian Freedom Party, who is facing the potential waiver of his immunity. The news comes just one day after the prosecutors requested prison sentence for RN’s Marine Le Pen.

Prosecutors have demanded prison and a ban from public office for Marine Le Pen, a key figure in the French National Rally party. Viktor Orbán responded to the accusations against his ally, stating: ‘Marine, please remember we are with you in this battle!’

Hungarian Minister of National Economy Márton Nagy visited Shenzhen for the China Hi-Tech Fair, spotlighting Hungary’s AI and supercomputing advancements and emphasizing AI regulation. In his keynote address he reiterated Hungary’s commitment to international tech cooperation and regulation.

Reflecting the way the mainstream in the EU confronts the ongoing Gaza crisis, its outgoing foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has once again taken a hard line on Israel, proposing a suspension of EU–Israel political dialogue over humanitarian concerns. Known for his blunt criticisms of Israel, Borrell’s latest move aligns with his stance that the EU must hold Israel accountable, yet it may also be his last major act on the issue as he prepares to step down, making way for Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

A recent content analysis by the Center for Fundamental Rights reveals that in the year leading up to the US presidential election, Donald Trump cited Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán 109 times, which far surpasses mentions of other European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Protesting antifa crowds attempted to block the entrance to the Hungarian House in Brussels to stop the event launching Jordan Bardella’s new book. According to Balázs Orbán’s post on X, the mob threw bottles and fireworks at the police, marking another attempt to silence right-wing voices in the capital of Europe.

According to a new Real-PR 93 survey, 74 per cent of Hungarians support the government’s target to raise the average salary to one million forints, reflecting broad approval among all demographics and age groups from across the political spectrum.

Donald Trump has announced that he would appoint Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to jointly lead a new federal department focused on government efficiency. The establishment of the department, promised during the presidential campaign, aims to streamline federal operations, cut excessive regulations, and curb wasteful spending.

Addressing COP29 in Baku, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán urged for climate policies guided by ‘common sense’ rather than ‘ideology, panic, or alarm’. Hungary, he argued, must balance its green ambitions with sustainable economic growth.

The United Nation’s climate change conference began on 11 November, with participants from almost 200 countries. Hungary’s focus during this year’s conference will be to protect farmers from green measures that could harm agriculture.

According to press reports, the European Parliament may approve the candidacy of Hungary’s Commissioner-designate, Olivér Várhelyi, on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, the left-wing groups in the EP turned his first hearing into an ideological battle, refusing to approve his nomination on biased grounds.

As the US prepares for a presidential transition, Ambassador David Pressman may soon depart Budapest in line with protocol for political appointees under a new administration. There has been no career diplomat leading the US mission in Hungary since the 1990s.

In a recent meeting with the Hungarian foreign minister, Slovak House Speaker Peter Žiga reiterated his government’s commitment to preserving the status quo on minority rights and stressed that, instead of restrictive policies, the Slovak government plans to enhance the quality of life for the Hungarian community in southern Slovakia. This would involve improvements to transportation infrastructure, including new roads and bridges to support regional development.

Hungarian Finance Minister Mihály Varga presented the government’s draft budget for next year to parliament on Monday. ‘The 2025 budget can be a budget for new opportunities, a budget for new economic policy, and a budget for peace,’ he emphasized in his speech.