Israel and Hamas have accepted the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan, agreeing to a ceasefire, hostage releases, and Israeli troop pullback. The breakthrough, hailed by Benjamin Netanyahu as a ‘turning point’, comes just days before the Nobel Peace Prize announcement, with Trump emerging as a leading contender.
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.
Hungary’s finances remain stable and well-managed, according to the Ministry for National Economy, which reported a better-than-expected deficit and rising tax revenues, allowing the government to continue supporting families, pensioners, and businesses.
‘The best approach for Hungarian politicians is to try to help Romania find a new path. The globalist path that the country has been on for the past two decades is coming to an end. Romania needs to figure out new ways to engage with a new world. The country can no longer rely on external alliances or foreign financial inflows. It must fight for its future and its prosperity.’
Hungary seeks to transform from a manufacturing base into a European innovation hub, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Budapest, highlighting Siemens Mobility’s new research project and the country’s growing focus on technology and R&D investment.
‘Beyond the automotive and electrical component manufacturing it offers, Hungary may hold the key to one of the most significant problems threatening Japan’s survival: its rapidly declining birthrate and aging population. It’s no secret that Japan is facing a demographic crisis of epic proportions…Hungary may offer Japan the guidance it needs to turn its ship around.’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hit back at Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian leader vowed his country would join the EU ‘with Orbán or without him.’ Orbán accused Zelenskyy of ‘moral blackmail’, stressing that accession requires unanimous approval by member states and recalling Hungarians’ overwhelming rejection of Ukraine’s bid.
‘They joined the Nova Festival to celebrate. When the Hamas assault began, they narrowly escaped tragedy: they ignored police instructions to head toward the Re’im base—one of the first sites overrun by terrorists…they instead drove in the opposite direction. Their car came under heavy fire, bullets striking the vehicle repeatedly, but miraculously, they reached another army base…’
Hungary’s Ministry for National Economy announced new measures to strengthen domestic industry and SMEs, expanding the 100 New Factories Programme to 150 and launching 3 per cent fixed-rate loans under the Széchenyi Card initiative from 6 October.
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.
‘With the raging war in Ukraine, Russia’s recent incursions into NATO airspace in Poland, Estonia, and Denmark, and the rising worries of war in the Pacific, one would probably imagine that the tone of the conference would be somber and serious. However, it was anything but.’
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.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared that low taxes are the best economic policy in an interview with the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressing tax cuts as key to wage growth and competitiveness while rejecting EU-driven tax hikes.
Democrat Jay Jones admitted sending texts describing the murder of former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his family, sparking a political firestorm. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance condemned the remarks as disqualifying, with Trump endorsing Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares ahead of the November election.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his cabinet resigned less than 12 hours after being sworn in, setting a record as the fastest collapse in the history of the Fifth Republic. The debacle marks Macron’s third failed government since the July 2024 snap election, deepening France’s political crisis.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel dismissed claims that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is a Russian ‘Trojan horse’ in the EU, calling the accusations ‘nonsense’ and ‘absurd’ in an interview with opposition channel Partizán. She stressed Orbán has always pursued Hungary’s interests, often clashing with Brussels but also seeking compromise.
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.
President Donald Trump has tapped Benjamin Landa, a businessman active in Jewish communal life, as the next US Ambassador to Hungary. Landa’s nomination follows months of speculation and comes after Pressman’s departure, with diplomat Robert Palladino currently serving as interim head of mission.
‘The central allegation is that Pegasus was acquired illegally…In 2017 Deputy Minister of Justice Michał Woś transferred funds from the Justice Fund to the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA). The opposition and the Supreme Audit Office deemed this unlawful, claiming that the CBA may only receive money from the state budget. However, there is no legal basis for such exclusivity…’
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Viktor Orbán as a leader defending national interests in Europe, declaring that if such forces grow stronger, ‘Europe will be reborn.’ Speaking at the Valdai Club in Sochi, he also attacked the EU’s migration policies, while boasting that Russian forces hold the strategic initiative in Ukraine.
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.
A Yom Kippur terror attack at a Manchester synagogue left two dead and several wounded, shocking Britain’s Jewish community. Hours later, a pro-Palestine protest erupted in London near Downing Street, where clashes broke out and one demonstrator declared: ‘I don’t give a f*** about the Jewish community right now.’
Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok paid an official visit to Kazakhstan, where he was awarded the country’s highest state honour, the Order of Friendship, in recognition of the close ties between the two nations. Talks focused on strategic cooperation in energy, trade, and logistics.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reiterated that Hungarians want to stay out of the war and reject Ukraine’s EU membership. Following the EU summit in Copenhagen, he launched a signature drive to reinforce public opposition to Brussels’ war strategy.
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.
German authorities have launched an investigation into Die Linke’s Hanover youth branch after the group posted a sticker showing AfD co-chair Alice Weidel in crosshairs with the words ‘aim here’. The image, condemned as an incitement to violence, follows recent posts by the same organization celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
‘Politically-involved people in the West will encounter different problems in their own national landscapes, but they may find they have a lot to learn from the failures, successes and general proceedings in other countries.’
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.
‘This is precisely the power of diplomacy. Minsk’s example demonstrates that authoritarian regimes respond to smart diplomacy. The leaders of such countries also react to incentives—be it better trade deals or a bit of international spotlight.’