In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika is looking at the meeting points of America and Hungary, and at Hungarians in America, from penniless peasants to political emigrants and soldiers of fortune. This part will explore how Americans perceived the arrival of Eastern and Central European immigrants as a chaotic phenomenon.
In 1982, Hungary’s state security services launched Operation ‘Crystal’ to surveil an IMF delegation staying at Budapest’s Hilton Hotel. Phones were tapped, documents copied, and economic secrets uncovered—all under the watchful eye of the Kádár regime. The operation reveals the extent of Cold War-era espionage woven into everyday locations.
‘I think this is something that’s often missed: communism and socialism, they’re attempts to solve a problem within liberalism. And the problem within liberalism is this individualism, right? Socialism and communism try to solve that problem, but they just repeat all the same problems. And so communism and liberalism are not so far apart. The Hungarians understand that particularly well…’
At the closing day of the fifth MCC Feszt, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned of a new migratory threat while criticizing the EU’s war footing and leadership failings. From youth engagement to digital strategy, Orbán outlined Hungary’s key challenges ahead of the 2026 election—while calling for national resilience.
‘I started teaching the children ever since more of us from Wisconsin started attending the Csipke Camps…I try to put together a small performance for every major holiday, and in doing so, I help them learn more about Hungarian traditions. We meet weekly…but we gather beyond the rehearsals, to spend time together—we sing too, and try to preserve our Hungarian identity also in this way.’
At MCC Feszt 2025 in Hungary, climate change sceptic Michael Shellenberger argued that fears over climate change are exaggerated, citing falling emissions and positive environmental trends. He and fellow panellists Leonardo Orlando and Liliana Smiech have criticized modern environmentalism as a pseudo-religion driven by fear and elite self-interest.
‘These Hungarians were among the luckier individuals in Europe. No less than 800 Westerners and Japanese were trucked to strategic locations in Kuwait to serve as human shields. At the same time, thousands of other expats were not allowed to leave the country until almost the end of 1990, when all were released after living on the edge for months.’
The UK’s two-party system is crumbling, argued panellists at MCC Feszt 2025, where Dominic Cummings declared that the Conservatives are ‘finished’. Joined by Mick Hume and Jacob Reynolds, he explored how Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, might upend the old order and take control of the state from entrenched bureaucracies.
Hungary’s Hubert Kós claimed gold in the 200-metre backstroke on Friday at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, setting a new European record of 1:53.19. The 22-year-old outpaced a stacked field in a dramatic finish, adding a second medal to his tally at this year’s championships.
At MCC Feszt 2025 in Esztergom, panellists Patrick Deneen, Chad Pecknold, Gladden Pappin, and István Kiss discussed whether we are living in a post-liberal age. They argued that liberalism is collapsing under its own contradictions, while Hungary’s national policy offers a compelling alternative grounded in tradition, family, and sovereignty.
‘Critics of the deal highlighted that—although some ridiculed the UK in May for agreeing to 10 per cent tariffs with Washington—the post-Brexit United Kingdom managed to strike a more favourable deal with the US administration than the economically more powerful 27-member European Union.’
Budapest Central European Fashion Week kicks off on 1 September, showcasing nearly 100 designers from seven countries. This year, fresh graduates from Hungarian design universities also debut, marking a milestone for next-gen fashion in the region.
In a radio interview, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized EU leadership over a failed trade deal with the US and introduced major housing and family support measures aimed at protecting Hungary’s middle class and boosting the economy.
‘…just recently, during the EU–China summit hosted by Xi, not only was there no Chinese delegation to welcome European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other top EU leaders, but the Chinese autocrat also made them take a bus to reach the summit venue. This does not look like a man who is on his way out.’
New Mercedes Citaro diesel buses began operating in Budapest on Thursday as part of a broader transport upgrade. More than 300 modern vehicles will be added by 2027, with electric buses also set to arrive in the coming years.
Ferencváros beat the Armenian champions FC Noah 4–3 at home, thus 6–4 on aggregate, and have advanced to the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, where they will face the Bulgarian side Ludogorets. Paks and ETO FC Győr have also made it through in their respective ties in the UEFA Conference League; however, Puskás Akadémia have been eliminated.
Hungary’s gross domestic product has grown by 0.2 per cent year-over-year in the second quarter of 2025, which translates to a 0.4-per-cent growth quarter-to-quarter, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) has reported.
During the opening panel of MCC Feszt 2025 on Thursday, Balázs Orbán declared that the European Commission had betrayed European citizens by accepting the humiliating terms of the US–EU trade deal and that Ursula von der Leyen should resign. Joined by Patrick Deneen and James Orr, the panellists explored the prospects of a world beyond liberalism.
The city has been working continuously on the restoration of Fülek Castle since 2003. In addition to restoring the castle’s historical buildings, the municipality has also built completely new infrastructure for tourists, including a parking lot and public toilets.
Hungary has assumed command of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission for the fourth time, deploying four Gripen fighter jets to safeguard the skies over Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, reaffirming its role as a committed and reliable NATO ally.
Hungary’s government finalized the terms of its 3 per cent home loan programme, expanding eligibility and introducing new support for public servants, while also criticizing an EU–US trade deal and reaffirming its stance on national sovereignty.
Hungary’s top mobile providers increased EU roaming data limits and revamped subscription packages in early 2025, while agreeing not to raise prices in line with inflation, thanks to a government-backed deal, according to NMHH’s latest report.
This weekend marks the 40th Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix at a revamped Hungaroring. With McLaren dominating the season, Budapest is bracing for a high-stakes race that blends history, modern upgrades, and the sport’s fiercest rivalries.
Hungary will begin preparatory work to introduce American small modular nuclear technology into the country, FM Péter Szijjártó announced on Wednesday. Through a partnership between Poland’s Synthos Green Energy and Hungary’s Hunatom, the project will utilize GE Vernova’s BWRX-300 reactors to deliver reliable, emission-free power as industrial demand and household energy needs continue to grow.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has recently made an appearance on the Polish TV channel wPolsce24, where he talked about the adversarial relationship between him and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, the election victory of President Karol Nawrocki earlier this year, and a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
After the US–EU trade deal, it is impossible to ignore the striking similarities between late Qing‑era China and Europe’s current predicament. The period marking the downfall of the Qing dynasty is known as China’s Century of Humiliation—a process that, in many respects, is already well underway in today’s Europe. Yet our humiliation must not be allowed to last a century.
‘Signs suggest that Brussels is seeking to replicate the “Tusk model” in Hungary by installing a puppet government which serves its own agenda. The aim of the EU leadership is clear: to override the democratic will of the Hungarian people and eliminate our sovereigntist government. If they succeed, Hungary would likely not be the last—one by one, other Member States would surely follow.’
International and energy attorney Máté Tóth has criticized the new US–EU trade deal, calling it a ‘stunning defeat’ for Europe on Hír TV’s morning programme. He highlighted unequal tariffs—15 per cent on EU goods vs 0 per cent on US exports—and questioned Brussels’ $750B energy investment, warning that the EU is overcommitting financially and politically.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised Hungary for setting a global example with the renovation of the Hungaroring, calling the government’s investment and commitment a model for others during an exclusive interview ahead of the 40th Hungarian Grand Prix.
In April, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited Budapest amid international controversy over an ICC arrest warrant. Hungary, rejecting the court’s legitimacy, announced its withdrawal from the ICC, later formalized in May. The ICC has since launched non-compliance proceedings, while Hungary claims the court is politically biased and vows not to cooperate.