Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 27 October, marking their first in-person meeting. They discussed Hungary–Vatican cooperation on peace efforts in Ukraine, the Church’s role in social development, and broader international issues, including the Middle East and Europe.
The Center for Fundamental Rights held its third International Pro-Israel Summit in Budapest. While the first event in 2023 followed the 7 October Hamas attacks, this year’s took place a few weeks after President Trump’s Israel–Hamas peace deal. Speakers included Hungary’s Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Israel’s Education Minister Yoav Kisch, and Yair Netanyahu.
Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó said new US sanctions on Russia’s energy sector have not yet impacted Hungary and stressed that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary may discuss the issue with President Trump next week. He praised Trump’s role in past and current peace efforts, claiming that he brings hope for resolving crises in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has been accused of match-fixing, while Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups faces charges for participating in an illegal, rigged poker game. The scandal revealed two hard truths: even the multi-million-dollar salaries of the NBA are not sufficient safeguards against illegal gambling, and New York’s five ‘traditional’ La Cosa Nostra families remain active.
Ferencváros edged Red Bull Salzburg 3–2 in a dramatic Europa League win on the anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 Revolution. Barnabás Varga, Kristoffer Zachariassen, and Bamidele Yusuf scored as Fradi held firm despite Salzburg’s late fightback to stay unbeaten in the league phase. Some controversy led up to the game: Austrian authorities did not let the Fradi fans’ charter train through at the border for unclear reasons.
The European Court of Auditors found €6 billion of EU spending in 2024—nearly four times Hungary’s contribution—was wasted, misused, or potentially fraudulent. Frank Füredi of MCC Brussels warns Hungarian taxpayers are footing the bill for failed projects, disappearing subsidies, and unchecked financial mismanagement.
The US Supreme Court, currently holding a 6–3 conservative majority, might appear to favour President Trump. However, conservatives often support a strict, limited reading of the Constitution. Many analysts therefore expect the Court to strike down his tariffs as unconstitutional. In that case, the decision can (and should) be softened by a long stay to avoid a market crash.
The MCC Leadership Academy’s ‘Sailing in Storm’ conference explored leadership in times of crisis, with speakers discussing resilience, adaptability, and the impact of the rising AI technology. The distinguished speakers included, among others, Balázs Orbán, Mark Khater, Gábor Csepregi, and Katalin Erdei.
Miklós Szánthó of the Budapest-based Center for Fundamental Rights hailed the upcoming Budapest Peace Summit between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia as a chance to end the Ukraine war and showcase Hungary’s global relevance. He argued the event disproves claims of PM Orbán’s isolation and highlights the importance of defending Hungary’s sovereignty.
Only three out of the 45 Presidents of the United States have visited Hungary during their time in office, with two more coming to our country after they served. President Trump will soon become the fourth incumbent POTUS to come to Budapest, to have important peace talks with President Putin of Russia.
‘The armed conflict started in April 1775 at the Battles of Lexington and Concord—with the aim of reform, not independence—and after more than six years of fighting, it was in October 1781 that the colonists, against all odds, defeated the Royal Forces on the battlefield. In fact, it was on 19 October 1781 that General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia—exactly 244 years ago today.’
The Mathias Corvinus Collegium is launching a new philosophy journal titled European Journal of Political Philosophy. On that occasion, Chief Editor William Wood and Managing Editor Titus Techera spoke at an event on MCC’s Budapest campus. Joined by András Lánczi and Professor Tilo Schabert, they discussed the bodies of work of such thinkers as Eric Voegelin, Leo Strauss, and Alexandre Kojève.
Justin McKenzie Smith has been appointed as the new Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Hungary. He has presented his credentials to President Tamás Sulyok of Hungary, as per tradition, and also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Heroes’ Square.
Hungary drew 2–2 against their highest-ranked opponent in their qualification group, Portugal, in Lisbon, Portugal. Captain Dominik Szoboszlai scored the equalizer in additional time. Hungary are very likely to finish second in the group, and going into the play-offs as they continue their quest to reach their first World Cup since 1986.
Archaeologists near Salgó Castle in Salgótarján, Hungary, have uncovered remarkable treasures. Finds include medieval artefacts like lead bullets, crossbows, and pottery, as well as prehistoric objects just one meter (three feet) underground. The discoveries will be showcased in a museum exhibition next April.
‘What the GOP should watch in the two elections this year in Virginia and New Jersey is the margins. If they can keep both elections within a couple of points of the 2024 presidential results, that would show electoral strength for President Trump and his presumptive successor, Vice President JD Vance.’
Hungary’s Home Start Programme aims to help both young people and those who have not owned any real estate property achieve home ownership. Minister Hankó Balázs said daily applications show the policy’s success, while also highlighting tax breaks for under-25s and contrasting Hungary’s family-focused strategy with the EU’s migration policies.
Former US President Barack Obama invited two critics of the Orbán administration in Hungary, Sándor Léderer and Stefánia Kapronczay, to talk about ‘fighting authoritarianism’ in a video he posted on his social media. Reactions to the video have been mostly negative on X, with users accusing President Obama of trying to pressure Hungary and Poland to open their borders.
With Dániel Lukács of Puskás Akadémia and Zsombor Gruber of Ferencváros scoring their first ever national team goals, Hungary beat Armenia 2–0 in a crucial game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign at home in Budapest. The red-white-and-greens have four points after three games in their group.
The US Supreme Court is set to hear a second round of oral arguments in the case Louisiana v Callais, which might decide that drawing congressional districts based on race is unconstitutional. If so, solid Republican states in the South would have the ability to create a handful of new districts favourable to the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Miklós Szánthó accused Péter Magyar and his allies of ‘fleecing Hungarian families’ even without being in power by supporting EU migration policies. At a campaign event in front of the EU Commission’s office in Budapest, he linked the EU fines imposed on Hungary for border protection to Magyar’s party and warned against following Western Europe’s migration path.
Talking to Bloomberg Screentime, late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel has stated that he’d ‘love to have’ President Trump on his show. This is a surprising remark, given that he has spent the last nine years ridiculing the President, and was recently suspended for his statements about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assasination.
In a podcast appearance on 6 October, House Speaker László Kövér accused Hungary’s opposition of trying to incite mass hysteria and destabilize elections, drawing parallels to past political unrest and sharply criticizing them for perpetuating the Szőlő Street affair.
At Ludovika University, experts including former Ambassador Réka Szemerkényi and former US Assistant Secretary Philip T Reeker discussed the present and future of US–Hungary relations. Topics included strong historical ties, NATO cooperation, economic partnerships, and shared values. Panels also addressed investment, the war in Ukraine, and cultural exchange programmes.
The 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights between Hungary and the United States was marked with a commemorative event at the Ludovika University of Public Service. Speakers included Rector Gergely Deli, US Chargé d’Affaires Robert Palladino, and State Secretary for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Boglárka Illés.
Leader of the far-right Hungarian opposition party Our Homeland, László Toroczkai has announced in parliament that he will challenge the result of the 2026 parliamentary election regardless of outcome. Since Facebook deleted his page in 2019 and hasn’t reinstated it despite a Hungarian ruling, he feels his party is being unfairly disadvantaged.
The right-wing ANO party, led by Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, won by far the most seats (80) and the largest share of the popular vote (34.5 per cent) in the Czech parliamentary election held this weekend. However, they still need to find coalition partners to form a government. During his first term in office, PM Babiš had a close relationship with PM Viktor Orbán of Hungary.
40 years after its historic circumnavigation, the legendary St Jupát sailboat has been fully restored and relaunched on Lake Balaton. Visitors can explore the vessel and join a 700-day series of events celebrating the daring voyage of Nándor Fa and József Gál.
Hungarian champions Ferencváros beat the Belgian side KRC Genk 1–0 away from home in the UEFA Europa League league phase, and are now sitting on four points in two games. Barnabás Varga scored the winner, which was his 12th goal of the season already. However, he also missed a penalty in the second half.
An event honouring the life and legacy of UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was held at the Danube Institute in Budapest. Institute President John O’Sullivan, who worked closely with Thatcher as a policy advisor and speechwriter, was joined by a number of distinguished guests who shared personal memories and reflections on the enduring impact of the Iron Lady.