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Sandor Zsiros

Europe News

Hungary's Magyar pushes back on pension and tax reforms at EU talks

Péter Magyar is pushing back against EU demands for pension and tax reforms, complicating attempts to release €17 billion in frozen funding before the August deadline. However, a breakthrough on the issue of the Erasmus+ educational programme is within reach.

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Hungary's Magyar seeks EU funds deal 'next week' in Brussels

Péter Magyar said he hopes to reach an agreement with the European Commission next week to unlock €10.4bn in recovery funds that were frozen under the previous government of Viktor Orbán, as an August deadline nears.

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Magyar set to outline EU funding red lines in a letter

Hungary's new PM Péter Magyar outlined how his government plans to spend EU funds, but said he will not phase out the controversial windfall taxes that Brussels has made a condition of their release.

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EU mulls ways to cash payments for Hungary, sends team to Budapest

The European Commission looks for options to disburse Hungarian cash, including through the country's investment bank, as it seeks to accelerate talks. A team of senior officials will be dispatched to Budapest next week.

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EU clears Hungary’s Várhelyi in Brussels spying probe

The European Commission has cleared Hungarian Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi following an investigation into an alleged spying network in Brussels that targeted EU staff.

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Exclusive: Hungary's new government to review €16bn EU defence plan

Péter Magyar's team is reassessing Hungary's €16 billion SAFE defence plan submitted by the defeated Orbán government, citing corruption risks. The European Commission is open to engaging with the new administration.

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EU Court rules Hungary's anti LGBTQ+ law breaches core values

The European Court of Justice rules that Hungary's 2021 Child Protection Law unlawfully discriminates against LGBTQ+ community; the first time a member state has been found in violation of EU fundamental values charter.

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EU and Magyar agreed to work together for EU cash after talks

Ursula von der Leyen's right-hand man sent to Budapest to begin work for the release of €10 billion as Magyar races to unfreeze the cash in exchange of reforms. According to sources involved in the negotiations, the release of funds is not connected to Ukraine.

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EU rushes to Budapest talks with Magyar team to unlock frozen funds

European Commission officials are due to meet the team of Hungary’s prime minister-designate, Péter Magyar, in Budapest on Friday, just five days after his election victory, to begin the process of unfreezing €17 billion in EU funds, with Ukraine-related disputes also on the agenda.

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Where is Szijjártó? Diplomat skips EU meeting, gone from public view

Szijjártó will miss next week's EU Foreign Affairs Council after the Orbán government's election loss. He faces accusations of sharing classified information with Russia and destroying sensitive documents.

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Magyar vows to shut down Hungarian state TV akin to 'North Korea'

Magyar has threatened to suspend the state broadcaster following a heated on-air clash, accusing it of spreading “North Korean-style” propaganda and false claims about his family during the election campaign.

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Péter Magyar's axe could soon hit Orbán's network in Brussels

Magyar's election win in Hungary threatens Orbán's EU influence network, putting figures including Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, think tank MCC Brussels, and the Hungarian ambassador on the chopping block.

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Serbia's Vučić clashes with Péter Magyar over Putin 'godfather' remark

Aleksandar Vučić snapped at Magyar, calling his comments about Putin playing Godfather to autocrats "foolish" and "stupid". The Hungarian Prime Minister-elect claimed the Russian leader pulls the strings in Serbia too.

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Magyar presses for swift power transfer and vows to unlock EU funds

Hungarian PM-elect Péter Magyar on Monday urged parliament to convene quickly to form a new government, aiming for a 5 May handover, and outlined priorities including EU funds, the eurozone, Ukraine, Russia, and migration. Here are some key takeaways from his press conference.

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Péter Magyar accuses Szijjártó of shredding confidential documents

Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar has accused outgoing Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó of shredding confidential sanctions-related documents at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing insider sources during a press conference in Budapest on Monday. The ministry has not yet responded.

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Hungary's next PM Péter Magyar demands 'Orbán's puppets' leave office

Hungary's incoming PM Péter Magyar said he plans to visit Brussels in a bid to get billions in frozen EU funds unlocked as he vows to restore system of checks and balances.

Europe News

Hungary begins to vote: Orbán and Magyar face off in historic vote

Polls open in Hungary's most consequential election in decades, as veteran PM Viktor Orbán faces a serious challenge from opposition leader Péter Magyar amid allegations of foreign interference and a bruising campaign.

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Orbán or Magyar: EU braces for veto politics or a cautious reset

As Hungarians head to the polls on Sunday, the EU is preparing for two scenarios: continued obstruction under Orbán or a victory for Magyar that could reset relations, though Brussels remains cautious about both.

Europe News

New leaks reveal Szijjártó briefing Russia’s Lavrov on key EU summit

Leaked calls show Hungary's Foreign Minister briefing Russia's Lavrov during a key EU summit, offering confidential EU documents to Moscow, and arranging a meeting between Orbán and Vladimir Putin.

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US VP Vance attacks Brussels and vows to help Orbán after meeting

Vance accused the European Union of electoral interference in Hungary’s election campaign during a visit to Budapest. Speaking alongside Orbán, Vance described the Hungarian leader as a “role model” for Europe.

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