Urban Verbunk is an all-male dance troupe founded in 2018. Its leader, Ahmed Moussa, spoke with Hungarian Conservative to explain the philosophy and the passion behind their ‘urban folk’ project that popularizes Hungarian culture across countries and continents.
‘As Christmas approaches, even the most steadfast conservative is faced with a profound seasonal dilemma: should one opt for an artificial tree or remain loyal to the natural variety? The question is more than a practical matter—it is imbued with philosophical, aesthetic, and cultural significance.’
After publishing a fake news report, alleging that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had fled to Hungary, critical-of-the-government media outlet Magyar Hang became the subject of a national security investigation. Rather than taking responsibility for its actions, the outlet has responded with accusations of dictatorship and inflammatory attacks against the government in a public statement.
‘Sovereignty—the nation, the cultural identity, and the democratic institutions that give it meaning and weight—is the prior necessary condition for success. I believe there is a trend in this direction and it is why I am cautiously positive about the prospects for the ideas of the right.’
In the 1960s, the Communist Secret Service launched an undercover operation targeting rabbis and Jewish youth who were engaging in Zionist activities. The investigation ended in some young people being handed suspended prison sentences and a 15-year ban on rabbinic activity for Szeged Rabbi Tamás Raj.
As the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU concludes, even EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a frequent critic of the Orbán administration, has praised its achievements at a press conference. She highlighted the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal, expanding the Schengen Area to Romania and Bulgaria, and progress on the Western Balkan EU expansion.
In October 2024 Hungary saw a surge in wages, with the average gross income rising by nearly 13 per cent compared to last year. This growth, coupled with low inflation, marks the 14th consecutive month of significant real wage increases.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán emphasized the importance of swift economic action and strategic calm in addressing the challenges facing Hungary and Europe. From advancing peace efforts to pushing for reforms, he detailed his vision in an interview with Kossuth Radio.
Protests in Georgia have been ongoing for nearly a month after the government suspended the country’s EU accession process until 2028. Clashes between demonstrators and police are becoming increasingly frequent, evoking a strikingly similar image to the events of late 2013, early 2014 in Ukraine. However, the current Georgian crisis differs in significant ways from Euromaidan, and these differences could prove to be lifesaving for the Georgian government.
Former Polish Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski has been granted political asylum in Hungary. Romanowski is currently the subject of a European arrest warrant for alleged misappropriation of funds. Chief of the Prime Minister’s Office Gergely Gulyás stated that there is a possibility Poland may not ensure a fair trial in his case due to political considerations.
‘With the Second Vatican Council a new kind of theology—the so called nouvelle théologie —stepped inside the Church and started to play a decisive role in it. Its main authors like Marie-Dominique Chenu and Henri De Lubac emphasized that the Aristotelian concept of nature was somehow alien to Christianity and that a more existential, a more historical approach to man (and to Revelation as well) would be more appropriate.’
Actress Rachel Zegler, who wished that Donald Trump and his supporters ‘may never have peace’ after the 2024 US presidential election, had to suffer major embarrassment after her new film Y2K became a giant box office flop, even being beaten by the re-release of the Christmas classic White Christmas from the 1950s. Zegler will also star in Disney’s Snow White film next year, despite being Latina.
Hungarian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar gave an exclusive interview to Breitbart, during which he discussed the prospects for economic and trade relations under Donald Trump’s second presidency. He revealed that, as he learned during a series of meetings in Florida, US companies are ready to invest in Hungary on a scale comparable to the significant Asian investments the country has recently attracted.
Mateusz Morawiecki, the former Polish prime minister and candidate for the presidency of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), has pledged to enhance the role of nation-states in the EU. He envisions a more sovereign Europe built on collaboration and reform.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Budapest defines itself in opposition to Brussels, aiming to transform the EU’s direction in the coming years. At a summit in Brussels, Orbán called for migration control, lower energy prices, and a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine.
Starting 1 January 2025, Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) will become the 75 per cent owner of Inforádió, marking a strategic partnership aimed at combining the station’s media expertise with MCC’s intellectual resources.
‘We achieved great success in the European elections, then very quickly formed this large Patriots for Europe group, the third force of the European Parliament, with the help of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, with whom we have a common ambition in Europe: changing everything without destroying anything.’
Six months ago, many questioned whether Hungary could fulfil the role of ‘honest broker’ required for the EU Presidency. Now, as the semester concludes, it is evident that Budapest has delivered one of the most successful and memorable presidencies in the history of the European Union.
‘No, Mr Pressman, you never truly believed that Hungary matters. What you and President Biden thought was that ousting Viktor Orbán’s government mattered—to impose a progressive globalist agenda on one of the few European countries that prioritizes its own interests and sovereignty. And ultimately, you failed.’
After rejecting his Christmas ceasefire proposal, Volodymyr Zelenskyy harshly criticized Viktor Orbán for his mediation efforts between Kyiv and Moscow. The Hungarian prime minister responded firmly: ‘We won’t respond to any provocation.’
The Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union, under the Hungarian presidency, has agreed on the general approach to have EU Member States better align their criminal laws on migrant smuggling. Out of the 380,00 illegal border crossings recorded in 2023, about 90 per cent were facilitated by smugglers, according to Europol.
The European Commission remains dissatisfied with Hungary’s legal amendments and continues to exclude Hungarian students and researchers from Erasmus+ and Horizon programmes. Hungary’s Minister for Culture and Innovation condemned the decision, while six universities have filed legal action against Brussels, alleging discrimination.
‘This year has been full of lessons for conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic. There is an obvious need and constant request by voters everywhere for common sense conservative policies. The European elections showed this quite clearly by producing for the first time an alternative, centre-right majority in the European Parliament.’
A video analysis by TLDR News EU suggests Viktor Orbán’s long tenure as Prime Minister of Hungary may be coming to an end in 2026 at last. However, our own, rebuttal analysis of polling and election data, as well as the cultural issues for Hungarian voters, purport that that is an unlikely outcome.
‘One of the key lessons of the exercise is that no situation is predetermined. Soldiers must respond to diverse scenarios with discipline, as every soldier is responsible not only for themselves but also for their comrades and the entire community,’ summarized Lieutenant Colonel Tibor Dancs, commander of the 31st rotation of the Hungarian KFOR contingent.
Budapest police officers have donated over nine tonnes of non-perishable food and treats to help those in need. The contributions, including baby food and festive goodies, will be distributed to children’s homes, large families, and care centres.
The Hungarian National Assembly has approved changes to electoral laws, including the redistribution of constituencies, optional ballot envelopes, and revised candidate withdrawal deadlines. These measures aim to align with demographic trends and streamline voting procedures.
Hungary’s 2024 innovation strategy includes a 215 billion forint allocation for research and innovation, a reform of the research network, and increased funding for excellence programmes. The government aims to enhance scientific output and global collaboration.
‘Because this process will be so difficult, the sad but unavoidable truth may be that if Ukraine takes part in the talks from the start, progress towards a settlement will become completely impossible,’ British journalist and author Anatol Lieven writes in his recent opinion piece published on Foreign Policy.
Since the Budapest City Council did not elect a Deputy Mayor in their November session, Capital Government Commissioner Botond Sára is taking the municipal government to court for failing to comply with its legal obligations. Sára has also raised concerns over the city budget, saying that Budapest is ‘nearing bankruptcy’.