Latest Viktor Orban News

Hungary refuses to pay fines for breaking EU asylum rules. Brussels is taking the money anyway.

Sep. 18, 2024 07:46 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Wednesday began the process of clawing back hundreds of millions of euros in funds meant to go Hungary after its ant-migrant government refused to pay a huge fine for breaking the bloc’s asylum rules. In June, the EU’s top court ordered...

Hungary prepared to sue EU executive for border protection costs, minister says

Sep. 12, 2024 05:44 AM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary is exploring legal avenues for forcing the European Union’s executive commission to reimburse it for funds it has spent on border protection, a minister said on Thursday, potentially deepening a conflict with the EU over Hungary's restrictive immigration and...

The Hungarian leader Trump cites as a supporter champions 'illiberal democracy'

Sep. 11, 2024 12:58 PM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Former President Donald Trump made room during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris to express the mutual admiration he shares with Viktor Orbán, the autocratic leader of Hungary who has cozied up with Russia and China and became a thorn in the side of his...

The EU wants answers from Hungary about work visas for Russia and Belarus

Sep. 04, 2024 10:32 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s top migration official expressed concern on Wednesday about a Hungarian work visa program open to citizens from Russia and Belarus, just as sabotage attacks and spying allegations raise alarm across Europe. Hungary extended its National Card...

EU ministers take a very public swipe at Hungary over a lack of respect for the bloc's values

Sep. 03, 2024 10:49 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Senior government ministers from Ireland, Luxembourg and Belgium took a very public swipe at Hungary on Tuesday, raising questions about whether Prime Minister Vitkor Orbán’s stridently nationalist cabinet respects European Union values and standards. Hungary...

Having Orbán in charge of EU's presidency raises key question: Is Hungary for or against the EU?

Aug. 28, 2024 00:36 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union traditionally ends its summer slumber in the dying days of August with an informal meeting of its foreign affairs ministers in a political equivalent of a fireside chat. But with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Hungary holding the presidency of the 27-nation...

Hungary says it will provide free tickets to Brussels for migrants trying to enter the EU

Aug. 22, 2024 12:28 PM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's anti-immigration government is prepared to provide free one-way tickets to Brussels for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to enter the European Union, a minister said Thursday in response to hefty fines recently imposed on the country over its restrictive...

Praise for Hungary and people having more children: Takeaways from Vance's statements on birth rates

Aug. 16, 2024 00:49 AM EDT

One of the catchphrases of this election came from a moment three years ago when Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance mocked Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats he accused of being anti-family and called them “childless cat ladies.” The Harris campaign and her...

Beyond 'childless cat ladies,' JD Vance has long been on a quest to encourage more births

Aug. 16, 2024 00:42 AM EDT

MIAMI (AP) — Five summers ago, Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance — then a 34-year-old memoirist and father of a 2-year-old boy — took the stage at a conservative conference and tackled an issue that would become a core part of his political brand: the United States' declining fertility...

How Hungary's Orbán uses control of the media to escape scrutiny and keep the public in the dark

Jul. 31, 2024 10:22 AM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — In the months leading up to elections for the European Parliament, Hungarians were warned that casting a ballot against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán would be a vote for all-out war. The right-wing Fidesz party cast the June 9 election as an existential...