Austria has closed down 23 of its border crossings with Slovakia and Hungary, while Hungary has established ‘disinfection points’ where members of its Defence Forces are disinfecting all vehicles entering the country. This is in response to the spread of foot-and-moth disease, a condition than only affects livestock and poses no danger to humans.
Hungary will withdraw from the International Criminal Court, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confirmed in a radio interview. He criticized the ICC as a political tool and outlined Hungary’s 2025 agenda, touching on economic reforms, drug policy, and foreign relations.
A general ceasefire in Ukraine may be possible this year, experts suggest, though peace remains distant. Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen faces a prison sentence and a five-year election ban, potentially reshaping the future of France’s National Rally party.
‘If you don’t fight for your national identity, your borders, and your culture, you know that they’re under threat. We don’t feel that threat in the UK and therefore we’ve been really lax and undiligent in thinking about what it means to be British,’ Ms Cates told our site in an exclusive interview that she gave during the Danube Institute’s Family Formation and the Future conference.
‘The proposals of some governments and the thinking behind them may raise questions about the future of the new asylum and migration pact, which is due to enter into force in 2026 and includes the idea of binding quotas. Nevertheless, practice shows that Member States want to see fewer and fewer migrants on their territory.’
The first-ever EU–Central Asia summit has just kicked off as Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa arrived in Uzbekistan. Brussels is now trying to assert its influence over the region, which is widely seen as one of the future economic and trade powerhouses. However, most EU member states lack the deep connections and relationships with the Central Asian republic, except for one: Hungary.
Director General of the Center for Fundamental Rights Miklós Szánthó has drawn attention to the hypocrisy that, while the European Parliament is not willing to even discuss revoking the immunity of Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar, who is charged with assault and theft, the EP has already revoked the immunity of two Polish conservative MEPs for standing up against the Tusk administration.
MCC Feszt returns to Esztergom from 31 July to 2 August, offering a mix of thought-provoking discussions and vibrant music performances. This year’s lineup features influential figures like Dominic Cummings and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, alongside popular Hungarian artists such as Irie Maffia and T Danny.
US Vice President JD Vance spoke at a celebratory screening for the documentary series Live Not By Lies, based on our very own Hungarian Conservative contributor Rod Dreher’s 2020 book by the same title, in Washington, DC on Tuesday. The film explores the ‘soft totalitarianism’ of the modern woke movement.
The United States is imposing a 20 per cent import tariff on the European Union and a 34 per cent tariff on China, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday. Speaking at a White House ceremony, he signed the new trade policy into law, emphasizing the need for reciprocal tariffs to address trade imbalances.
Hungary is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, following years of scepticism toward it. The announcement coincided with the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest for talks with his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orbán.
Interpol has dropped the international arrest warrant for President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, which had been requested by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dodik welcomed the decision, stating that Interpol is ‘not at the service of Sarajevo’, and expressed his gratitude to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for his support.
Addressing climate change requires both global strategies and individual actions, as even small efforts can have a meaningful impact, János Áder, chairman of the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation, emphasized during a lecture in Budapest. Speaking to university students, the former president of Hungary highlighted the importance of sustainability and the growing environmental challenges driven by human activity.
‘When I come to Hungary, I’m always amazed by how many young people are in important positions or leading organizations. That’s rare in Japan, where seniority and relationships established over decades is prioritized youth, talent and expertise. Japanese society doesn’t value young people enough,’ Japanese journalist Waka Ikeda pointed out in an interview with Hungarian Conservative.
However, a ballot initiative calling for a state constitutional amendment requiring photo IDs for elections also passed in the important swing state of Wisconsin.
Amid growing uncertainty in regional energy supply, Hungary and Serbia have decided to take matters into their own hands by constructing a joint oil pipeline connecting the two countries. According to Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, the investment is valued at approximately $350 million.
In his keynote address at Day 2 of the Danube Institute’s Family Formation Conference, Balázs Orbán emphasized that it is the responsibilities that we take on and our relationship with others that give meaning to our lives; and lauded the increase in marriages and decrease in abortions in Hungary since 2010. A panel discussion about crime, immigration, and the family followed.
Five JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from the Hungarian Air Force have been deployed to Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark to participate in Ramstein Flag 2025, a major NATO air combat exercise held across Dutch, German, and Danish airspace until 11 April.
The European Parliament is set to debate Hungary’s new legislative package, which includes amendments to the law on the right of assembly—labelled by progressives as a ‘Pride ban’—as well as stricter regulations on foreign-funded NGOs and media outlets. However, as democratic as it is, the EP has ‘forgotten’ to invite Hungary to participate in or respond during the debate.
‘Many accused the court’s ruling of depriving the electorate the chance of deciding who is fit to hold political office in France. Rather than disqualifying Le Pen from the presidential race, it could have been decided to merely fine the party for the misappropriated funds. The ban on running for office is widely seen as a disproportionate intervention into the political affairs of the country…’
The White House has confirmed that the new US tariff system will take effect immediately upon presidential approval, starting Wednesday. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Donald Trump and his trade policy team have been working until the last moment to finalize the measures.
The Hungary Helps mission has officially launched in Nigeria under the leadership of State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians Tristan Azbej. Over the past seven years, Nigeria has been a key focus of Hungary’s humanitarian efforts, aiming to support local communities and address ongoing crises.
‘Those countries that are thinking about their future are looking to Hungarian family policy as a model. The fundamental pillars of Hungarian family policy are the protection of family values and the financial support for families raising children,’ Minister for Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó highlighted in an interview with Hungarian Conservative.
Media reports have emerged alleging that Hungary has appealed against Interpol’s arrest warrant for Milorad Dodik. Serbia—a close ally of both Hungary and Republika Srpska—also lodged a complaint, arguing that the red notice issued on 28 March violates Article 3 of Interpol’s Statute.
Mr Palladino outlined the similar policies aimed at helping families by the Trump administration in the United States and the Orbán administration in Hungary. He also talked about ‘the American vibe shift’, by which he refers to how the current US administration is putting the cultural focus on families and childbearing again.
The Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) is accepting applications for its Junior Training Program until 29 June. Designed for new university students, this free talent programme provides a unique opportunity for career building and personal growth, featuring exclusive mentorship and international networking.
The Danube Institute’s two-day conference on family formation and demographic decline continued with a panel discussion comparing Hungarian and American policies and perspectives on the issue. Participants agreed that the West faces a civilizational crisis but expressed hope in the Trump administration’s shift—led by Vice President JD Vance—toward a pro-family approach.
‘Maya Kadosh, Israel’s next ambassador to Hungary, has arrived in Hungary…In the coming years, the goal is to place even greater emphasis on strengthening the friendly alliance between the two countries. Welcome, Madam Ambassador!’
Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has criticized the French court ruling that bars Marine Le Pen from running for office, calling it an attempt to deprive citizens of their right to vote. The decision, he argues, weakens French democracy rather than strengthening it.
The Danube Institute’s two-day event dedicated to family formation has started with keynote addresses from Executive Director István Kiss; author and Budapest Fellow Helen Roy; Hungarian Ambassador to the Holy See Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen, a descendant of the historic Habsburg family; and Minister for Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó of Hungary.