The integration of the countries of the region into the EU is a decades-long process, the positive outcome of which is still to be seen. Thus, the number of Eurosceptics in the region has multiplied in recent years. As a consequence of the protracted accession negotiations, which have not even started for several Western Balkan states, some countries in the region have forged closer economic, political, and cultural ties with non-EU actors.

‘The doubtful mind has been persuasive and embedded in modern Western culture. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying psychological falsehood. Radical doubt only works as an abstract confusion which paralyses people into a void of distress. Additionally, doubt enhances the inability to make decisions and take responsibility for your actions. To be in a state of the doubtful mind, is to be in a state of looking back.’

‘The fate of American democracy—and democracy more broadly throughout the West—depends on social, cultural, demographic, and technological trends and changes that have been ongoing for quite some time now. It may perhaps be too late to reverse these trends, and the fixation on individual figures fails to address the real issues at hand. As history has shown, the unraveling of social cohesion, coupled with technological disruptions, erodes the very foundations of democratic systems.’

‘It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that same forces that saw the young turn out en masse for the far left Jeremy Corbyn in 2017 have begun to circle around Farage. Like Corbyn, he is an anti-politics figure for an anti-politics age. Like Corbyn, he scandalises the Westminster establishment.’

‘In 2014, then-Vice President Joe Biden opined that New York’s LaGuardia Airport ‘feels like it’s in some third-world country.’ Little has changed in the ensuing decade. If anything, the contrast between Europe and Asia’s airports and America’s has become starker. British airport consultancy Skytrax releases an annual ranking of global airports; in the 2024 edition, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (#24) is the only American representative in the top-25.’

‘The movie thus comes to a happy ending for the family involved (apart from the horrors experienced by the minors), but we are not relieved after watching it. Not only because we know that this is a true story, which makes it even more harrowing to follow. But also because by the end of the movie, we also learn (if we were not already aware before) that child sex trafficking is a huge global social issue, and one of the fastest growing businesses (comparable to drug trafficking) affecting millions of children, with millions of abusers and the U.S. authorities not seeming to be truly committed to eradicating it.’

The latest print issue of Hungarian Conservative features a full section dedicated to the demographic crisis and family policies which aim to solve it; as well as a posthumously published article by the late great Dr David Martin Jones, and an exclusive interview with Lord David Frost, the Chief Negotiator for Exiting the European Union in the United Kingdom. Pick up your copy now!

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the prospects for a settlement in Ukraine and their countries’ bilateral relations in Moscow on Friday. The visit to Russia was the second stop of Orbán’s peace mission, following talks in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Viktor Orbán’s plane had not even landed in Moscow when the Brussels elite were already criticizing the Hungarian Prime Minister for his visit to Russia. First, Charles Michel, and later Josep Borrell, distanced themselves from Orbán’s trip, stating that the prime minister was not representing the EU in Russia—although this was never claimed to be the case to begin with.

Visitors to the palace garden can expect a relaxing, popcorn-filled movie night on 5 June. Before the screening, those with a combined ticket can tour the palace’s thematic exhibition, which offers an interactive experience exploring the history of Freemasonry, its Hungarian connections, and the life of the Festetics family.

‘If the Hungarian government’s foreign policy in recent months had truly been to serve Russian interests, then, for example, the NATO secretary general would not have left Budapest with a free hand from Hungary to negotiate and conduct NATO training and support for Ukraine, as well as to undertake a long-term financial commitment required for military support, even if Hungary will not itself participate in these NATO efforts.’

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has allegedly instructed his three ministers to examine the consequences of leaving the International Criminal Court (ICC), with a particular focus on the implications for the European Union. This decision is likely prompted by the ICC Chief Prosecutor’s request in May for the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

MCC Feszt will be returning to Esztergom for the fourth time this year. The event will feature distinguished speakers tackling world events, such as Minister of EU Affairs János Bóka of Hungary and American political strategist Chris Rufo, and some of the most popular Hungarian musical acts as well.

In his regular Friday interview with public Kossuth radio Orbán emphasized that Hungary, as the rotating president of the European Union, does not have the mandate to negotiate peace in the Russo–Ukrainian war on behalf of the EU. However, he can assess the situation to understand each party’s position.

Starting September 2024, Budapest Metropolitan University will offer a specialized programme focusing on the main areas of AI applications in business and finance. The course has been designed not only based on specific IT and data analysis fundamentals but also to comprehensively develop students’ proactive and problem-solving attitudes.

‘Ideological laws in Spain have been passed one after the other since Pedro Sánchez came into power. He has attempted to normalize gender ideology through laws, which has so far been a monumental failure. These laws are attacks on the common sense, truth, logic and reason.’

According to former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán aims to create ‘maximum discomfort’ for the new European Parliament with his newly established right-wing alliance, Patriots for Europe. Juncker harshly criticized the Hungarian PM as well as former US President Donald Trump in an interview with POLITICO.

Dick Schoof, the 67-year-old independent former Director-General of the General Intelligence and Security Service, arose as a compromise candidate for prime minister after seven months of negotiations between the winning PVV party and its coalition partners. The new cabinet has vowed to implement the strictest migration and asylum policy in the history of the country.

Barnabás Varga, who sustained a scary head injury against Scotland in the last group game, is currently recovering in his hometown of Szentpéterfa in Western Hungary, where he was visited by his club’s in-house media team for an update on his condition. Meanwhile, Martin Ádám has not returned to his club Ulsan HD in South Korea, and his manager is reportedly in talks to terminate his contract with the club.

The KINCS survey conducted in May clearly shows that Hungarians understand and take seriously the demographic challenges of our time. 78 per cent of respondents believe that the EU faces serious demographic problems that 73 per cent think threaten Europe’s future.

By Wednesday evening it became clear that the Polish Law and Justice (PiS) party would not join Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s new right-wing alliance, Patriots for Europe. Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party is showing a growing willingness to do so, which could set off an avalanche of changes from which Orbán could only emerge victorious.

Among the performers over the four days of the festival are Marshmello, Paul Kalkbrenner, Timmy Trumpet, James Hype, Purple Disco Machine, and from the underground scene, Amelie Lens, Adam Beyer, Marceo Plex, Stephan Bodzin, and Nico Moreno.

According to the citation, the music of Transylvania-born acclaimed Hungarian composer György Kurtág (98) delves into the existential questions of the human soul, focusing on fundamental emotions such as love, sorrow, fear, anxiety, despair, and the desire for harmony and reconciliation. From short piano works to large-scale cantatas and operas, Kurtág’s art reflects the entire history of Western music, past and present. His influence on numerous musicians is remarkable, and his dedication to music and structural thinking serves as a beacon of humanity in the world of contemporary classical music.

‘This 4th of July, my own country’s independence day, Americans can look with solidarity to the struggles of Hungary and of all democracies against the many faces of tyranny in these last few centuries.’

The WHO found in a recent survey that physical activity done by adults has decreased by five per cent worldwide between 2010 and 2022. Meanwhile, in Hungary, the number of recreational athletes has nearly quadrupled in the last decade.

80 years after Native Americans became US citizens thanks to the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, the debate about the past treatment of native tribes by the US government is still ongoing, with some—typically on the left—going as far as characterizing it as ‘genocide’. With the 4th of July holiday coming up, these discussions may be flaring up on social media again.

Hungary is a country rich in sporting talent, which is also evident within the Hungarian Defence Forces: their parachute team is among the world’s elite, as stated by Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Tamás Vargha on Wednesday in Szolnok.

US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman first praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for his trip to Kyiv, then harshly criticized him for ‘overtly and tirelessly’ supporting Donald Trump in the US presidential election race. According to Pressman, the partisan politicization of bilateral relations is dangerous and detrimental to the US– Hungarian relationship.

The Hungarian Summit has proven to be a key event for enhancing economic, educational, community, and cultural relations between Hungary and the United States. Its fourth instalment, featuring distinguished speakers and engaging panel discussions on business, educational, community, and cultural topics offered participants a unique opportunity to meet like-minded innovators and develop valuable connections with the aim of building a bridge connecting two nations.

According to press reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán’s proposal for a time-bound ceasefire in Ukraine. However, Zelenskyy praised the start of ‘completely different relations’ between Hungary and Ukraine, which could soon be formalized in a new agreement between the two countries.