What could be Europe’s future: a decline, or a new golden age? How imminent is the Russian threat to Europe? How does Sweden view Hungary’s fight for sovereignty? We asked former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt about Europe’s bright or dark future at Brain Bar 2025 in Budapest.
Budapest will host the next European Geothermal Congress in 2028, a recognition of Hungary’s growing leadership in renewable energy. The decision highlights the country’s achievements and commitment to sustainable geothermal development.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán discussed Hungary’s neighbourhood policy, economic reforms, and political tensions in an interview with Kossuth Radio broadcast from Cluj-Napoca. He warned of foreign influence in Hungarian politics and hailed writer László Krasznahorkai’s Nobel win.
‘India’s green transition is not only an energy story—it is a social and fiscal balancing act. In the coal belt of the eastern and central states, at least 120 districts are systematically tied to fossil-fuel value chains…supporting around 20 million livelihoods, with informal employment in the sector often exceeding 80 per cent of the workforce.’
Ten Hungarian restaurants were awarded Michelin stars at the Budapest gala on Thursday night, reaffirming Hungary’s growing global culinary reputation. The Platán in Tata and the Stand in Budapest retained their two-star ratings.
AI are minds deprived of almost everything we previously viewed as essential to one. Is this not the very definition of a demon?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived two separate censure motions in the European Parliament on Thursday, as mainstream factions once again shielded her from calls to resign. The right-wing Patriots for Europe and the Left had accused her of failures on trade, transparency and leadership, but both votes fell well short.
Hungarian universities have achieved higher positions in the latest global rankings, with Semmelweis University now among the world’s top 1 per cent. Minister Balázs Hankó praised the results and emphasized deepening US academic ties amid EU-related disputes.
As Hungary’s parliamentary elections approach, polls are becoming increasingly important. Beyond overall support rates, we can expect more heated debates about which social groups politicians have managed to reach and which they have not. In this context, we ask the question: What is the situation with young people?
Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the second Hungarian to receive the prestigious honour. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán congratulated him, calling Krasznahorkai a ‘pride of Hungary’.
The European Commission has presented a new strategy to speed up the adoption of artificial intelligence in key industries and the public sector, aiming to make Europe a global leader in AI-driven science, research, and innovation.
‘Beyond the fence on the Serbian side…the AK-47-wielding people smugglers have established military-style camps for the migrants; is it compassionate to support a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise? Many illegal migrants who successfully break through are forced to continue paying the smugglers under duress; is it compassionate to support a modern form of indentured labour?’
The Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation and the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have signed a cooperation agreement to promote talent development and practical training through joint programmes, mentorships, and research initiatives.
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.
‘When political parties on opposite sides of the parliamentary spectrum voice sharp criticism…against a politician belonging to the centrist party family, it is easy to conclude that “extremist” groups are fighting against…balanced policies. This may be true in some cases, but a closer look reveals a much more complex picture, especially in the European political arena.’
‘Whereas Augustine’s inner self pointed beyond itself to God, Rousseau’s pointed only inward. Conscience, no longer an echo of divine law, became the voice of the self. Politics, in turn, had to be remade in its image: the true will of the people was nothing less than the collective expression of each individual’s inner authenticity.’
‘What are Western institutions for? To impose left-wing progressive ideologies on the world? If so, how are they any different from the Warsaw Pact or its late successor, the “Russian World”?’
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.’
‘[Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s] 1984 visit was more significant than anyone might imagine today…suddenly, we had this very well-known, very characteristic Western leader visiting Hungary—specifically Budapest—and walking around like a normal human being. That had a real impact. And of course, the Great Market Hall visit was key to these memories.’
‘On the face of it, it looks like Robinson used violence as an instrument for advancing a political goal that he came to believe couldn’t be advanced by any other means. The goal was to silence Charlie Kirk, who was an outspoken critic of LGBTQ rights…If all this is correct, Robinson is the archetypal terrorist who murdered not for personal reasons but for politics.’
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.
The 110th anniversary of Franz Josef Strauss’s birth was commemorated in Budapest with a conference organized by the National University of Public Service and the Otto von Habsburg Foundation. Speakers stressed the Bavarian leader’s vision of subsidiarity and his relevance for today’s debates on sovereignty and European cooperation.
Hungarian teachers are increasingly satisfied with their working conditions and enjoy growing professional autonomy, according to the 2024 OECD TALIS survey. The study highlights fewer disciplinary problems, stronger mentorship programmes, and improved teacher evaluation.
‘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.’
Eric Clapton, one of rock’s greatest guitarists, is heading back to Budapest after 20 years. The 80-year-old music icon will play the MVM Dome on 2 May 2026, his first Hungarian concert since 2006, as part of a European tour following his successful US run.
‘True freedom is a paradox: we are most free when we accept the burdens of responsibility. A society that worships liberty without responsibility ends with neither. But a society that remembers responsibility as the guardian of liberty secures both.’
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.