Latest Hungary government News

Dutch leader Mark Rutte clears a big hurdle to becoming NATO chief after Hungary lifts objections

Jun. 18, 2024 11:43 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Hungary on Tuesday lifted its veto on Mark Rutte becoming the next head of NATO after the outgoing Dutch prime minister gave written guarantees that he would not force the country to take part in the military alliance’s new plans to provide support to Ukraine. ...

For Trump it's MAGA, but Hungary's Orbán is going MEGA at the European Union's helm for six months

Jun. 18, 2024 10:23 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Hungary’s populist government announced on Tuesday that its upcoming presidency of the European Union will be held under the motto “Make Europe Great Again,” but played down any parallels with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement in the United States. “This is a...

EU leaders break off talks on top job nominees without result

Jun. 17, 2024 18:50 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Leaders of European Union countries reached no final agreement on candidates for the bloc's top jobs Monday, but several praised the record of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and she appeared on track to secure their endorsement later this month for a second...

An Italian activist elected to European Parliament has been freed in Hungary, will return home soon

Jun. 14, 2024 12:54 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — An Italian anti-fascist activist was released from house arrest in Hungary on Friday after being elected as a new member of the European Parliament for the Italian Green and Left Alliance, the party’s leaders said. Local police in Budapest removed Ilaria Salis’...

NATO approves a plan to speed security aid and training to Ukraine's beleaguered armed forces

Jun. 14, 2024 09:00 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO defense ministers on Friday approved a plan to provide reliable long-term security aid and military training for Ukraine after delays in Western deliveries of funds, arms and ammunition helped invading Russian forces to seize the initiative on the battlefield. ...

NATO defense ministers thrash out new security aid and training support plan for Ukraine

Jun. 13, 2024 10:08 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO defense ministers gathered Thursday hoping to agree on a new plan to provide long-term security assistance and military training to Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion, after Hungary promised not to veto the proposal as long as it’s not forced to take part. ...

Top EU court fines Hungary $216 million for flouting asylum law

Jun. 13, 2024 08:53 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s top court ordered Hungary to pay a fine of 200 million euros ($216 million) on Thursday for persistently breaking the bloc’s asylum rules despite a previous European Court of Justice ruling, plus an additional 1 million euros for every day it fails to...

Hungary agrees not to veto NATO support to Ukraine as long as it's not forced to help out

Jun. 12, 2024 13:07 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Hungary agreed on Wednesday not to veto NATO support for Ukraine but Prime Minister Viktor Orbán insisted that his government would provide neither funds nor military personnel for any joint assistance effort. At a summit in Washington next month, U.S. President...

Europe’s far right won ground in the EU elections. Can they unite to wield power?

Jun. 11, 2024 14:36 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The next European Parliament will have more hard-right members than ever before, occupying close to a quarter of the 720 seats. But they will have to overcome differences if they want to maximize their influence on the EU policies that roil their constituents: migration, climate...

Hungary's Orbán shows weakest performance in EU elections in 20 years, opening path to pro-EU rival

Jun. 10, 2024 13:42 PM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The day after Hungarians voted in the European Parliament elections, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government declared a big win, but missing from the victory speeches was an acknowledgement that it was his party's worst performance in an EU election since Hungary joined...