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CORONAVIRUS: Here's the latest

A regularly updated feed of the latest information about coronavirus in Hungary.

No, Mr. Knaus, PM Orbán did not let illegal immigrants into Europe

On the contrary, Hungary was, in fact, one of the few EU member states that stood up against illegal migration.

Next steps for the Family Protection Action Plan: 5 percent VAT on newly built homes, plus government to cover half of renovation costs for families with kids

Stay tuned, these two steps are only the first in a long line of measures to be introduced by the Hungarian Government.

“Führerdemocracy?” Really?

Yes, Paul Lendvai really used that term that when referring to Hungary’s current political situation.

Anti-Semitism and the Opposition: Here’s what’s at stake in this weekend’s by-election.

An alliance of left-liberal opposition parties have jointly nominated a candidate with a deeply disturbing history of anti-Semitism to win this weekend’s ballot.

Jobbik

Blog

Anti-Semitism and the Opposition: Here’s what’s at stake in this weekend’s by-election.

Oct 09, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács

An alliance of left-liberal opposition parties have jointly nominated a candidate with a deeply disturbing history of anti-Semitism to win this weekend’s ballot.

News in Brief

Jewish leaders slam opposition politician for his anti-Semitic and racist statements

Sep 24, 2020

Several Jewish leaders have slammed László Bíró, a joint candidate of the opposition, for his anti-Semitic and racist statements.

Blog

That moment when the liberal opposition nominated a far-right candidate with a disturbing history of anti-Semitism, Part III – How they completely ignored the story

Sep 11, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács

Sometimes the silence carries greater significance than the stories that get published. This silence here is an appalling example of the liberal mainstream and its media.

Blog

That moment when the liberal opposition nominated a far-right candidate with a disturbing history of anti-Semitism, Part II

Sep 08, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács

“It cannot be tolerated,” according to a well-known government critic, commenting on the opposition’s choice of candidate, “that a man who has made such anti-Semitic and anti-Roma statements, like Bíró, can enter an election with the support of parties that call themselves anti-racist, democratic and tolerant.”

Blog

That moment when the liberal opposition nominated a far-right candidate with a disturbing history of anti-Semitism, Part I

Sep 05, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács

In the run-up to a by-election to fill a parliamentary seat for a constituency in northern Hungary, the so-called “democratic” opposition jointly nominated a far-right Jobbik candidate with a long history of stomach-turning, anti-Semitic and anti-Roma statements. Here’s the shameful story in brief.

News in Brief

Hungarian MEPs urge EP to denounce anti-Semitic Jobbik politician

Sep 04, 2020

Hungarian MEPs Tamás Deutsch and József Szájer point to the "alarming move" by Hungarian opposition parties to field a candidate who has made such offensive remarks.

Blog

Karácsony in Der Spiegel: Jobbik got rid of its far-right figures. No, they haven’t

Nov 12, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

The newly elected mayor of Budapest thinks he can fool the western media by trying whitewash the opposition’s de facto alliance with Hungary’s anti-Semitic far-right. But Jobbik is still the same, anti-Semitic, anti-Roma group of far-right radicals.

Blog

Jobbik-LMP-Romanze: Fraktionsvorsitzende der Grünen/EFA meint: „Das ist verrückt!"

Apr 05, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Erinnern Sie sich an jene Zeiten, als internationale Beobachter Ministerpräsident Orbán vor einer Kooperation oder gar einer Verbindung mit der rechtsextremen, antisemitischen Jobbik gewarnt haben? Offensichtlich ist dies kein Problem mehr. Denn jetzt sind es die linksliberalen Grünen Ungarns, die sich bei den Rechtsextremen einschmeicheln wollen. Und ihr Schweigen lässt vermuten, dass viele von denselben Leuten der Meinung sind, dass das in Ordnung ist.

Blog

Jobbik-LMP romance: European Green leader says it’s “crazy”

Mar 28, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Remember all those times that international observers warned Prime Minister Orbán against any cooperation, let alone association, with the far-right, anti-Semitic Jobbik? Apparently, cooperation with the fringe isn’t a problem any longer. Because now it’s Hungary’s left-liberal Greens cozying up to the extreme right. And by their silence, many of the same people think that’s ok.

News in Brief

Left-wingers are teaming up with the Jobbik party that was not long ago branded “Nazi”

Feb 22, 2019

Frans Timmermans had not raised any objection in connection with the proposal of the Hungarian Socialist Party’s leader to set up a joint list with Jobbik for the upcoming EP elections

Blog

The Left and the far-right want to convince the world that Jobbik is now ‘kosher,’ but they’ve got a serious problem

Feb 19, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Just when you thought the story couldn’t get any worse. Hungary’s far-right, extremist party, Jobbik, decided in December 2018 to dismiss one of its vice presidents because of his anti-Semitic statements and replaced him with another who backed the idea of drawing up a list of Jews.

Blog

With his visit this weekend to Budapest, Commissioner Timmermans is giving his seal of approval to the Left’s alliance with the extremist, far-right

Feb 15, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Commissioner Frans Timmermans comes to Budapest this weekend to attend the annual congress of the Hungarian Socialists, a party that has recently cozied up with far-right, anti-Semitic Jobbik.

Blog

[VIDEO] Liberal opposition leader: it’s not Nazism if someone makes a list of Jews

Feb 08, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

A few months ago, in the lead up to last year’s general elections, this member of Hungary’s opposition was touring the country saying his party refused any cooperation with far-right, extremist Jobbik, a party he claimed to be “full of Nazis” that are “now presented in different packaging.” You won’t believe what he just said in a television interview.

Blog

This man was asked whether it’s OK to join forces with a Nazi-saluting, anti-Semitic extremist party. You’ll never believe what he said

Jan 23, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Two highly esteemed, Hungarian opinion leaders sat down yesterday to have a conversation about the political opposition joining forces.

Blog

Here’s a little challenge to the media: Ask these leaders whether they condemn Jobbik's anti-Semitism

Jan 22, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

For years, critics in the international media and other circles have tried to stick Prime Minister Orbán with the anti-Semitism charge. The prime minister endured repeated demands from these people to denounce or distance himself from the rhetoric of Hungary’s far-right party Jobbik, as if he were responsible for their extremism.

Blog

Go grab some popcorn, Sargentini’s up next!

Jan 08, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Judith Sargentini will complement the Hungarian opposition’s all-star squad this afternoon in Brussels at a demonstration against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. Here are some inconvenient details that they won’t be mentioning. So grab a seat, Sargentini is coming!

News in Brief

Radical Mi Hazánk party in favor of restoring capital punishment

Jul 27, 2018

Party leader László Toroczkai revealed that the proposals received almost unanimous backing by 20,000 respondents to a public survey the party conducted last week

News in Brief

Hungarian MEP has gone on trial in Budapest accused of spying on the EU for Russia

Jul 11, 2018

Bela Kovács was charged with "spying against EU institutions" and "engaging in espionage in the interests of a foreign state"

News in Brief

Hardline mayor of Ásotthalom László Toroczkai announces that he would be open to becoming Jobbik party leader

Apr 13, 2018

László Toroczkai was the founder of the far-right 64 Counties Youth Movement (HVIM) and has been banned from Serbia and Slovakia due to his views and activities. Last year, he endorsed policies to ban pro-LGBT rights messages and Islamic religious practices in Ásotthalom

News in Brief

Entire leadership of Jobbik should step down, says deputy leader

Apr 10, 2018

During Sunday’s election, Jobbik gained only 25 of the 199 seats in Hungary’s next parliament with 19.33 percent of the votes

Blog

Q&A on the case of Jobbik’s illegal party financing

Jan 24, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

Hungary’s State Auditor recently imposed a fine on the political party Jobbik. Some reports of the decision missed some essential details, so I thought a little briefer, in the form of a Q & A, would be helpful

Blog

Here’s the story about how the liberal left and the international media are whitewashing Hungary’s far-right party

Dec 01, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

In recent days, the chairman of Hungary’s far-right political party Jobbik publicly declared his intention to form an alliance with left-wing opposition parties LMP and Momentum. The latter have not ruled out the possibility.

Blog Prime Minister

No government has done more to fight anti-Semitism in Hungary than PM Orbán’s

Jul 13, 2017

Several days ago, Prime Minister Orbán was speaking about a group of leaders that served during a tough period in Hungary’s history, the inter-war period, and his remarks generated some controversy. Inevitably, some raised the worn-out charge of anti-Semitism. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó put them properly in their place.

News in Brief

President Áder will not intercede in constitutional amendment dispute

Dec 05, 2016

The Jobbik party sought the President's intervention to help resolve disagreements surrounding the government proposed constitutional amendment

News in Brief

Support for Jobbik drops to lowest in nearly three years

Nov 24, 2016

The ruling Fidesz party was backed by 36 percent, while support for Jobbik declined to 10 percent, the lowest point since January 2014

Blog

Look who’s got their stamp of approval now

Nov 22, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

As Hungarian government and law enforcement fight to counter extremism, well-known left-wing figures have been proposing some strange alliances. Their latest ideas should be condemned, especially in light of the recent attack on Hungarian police.

News in Brief

Jobbik party files its own constitutional amendment

Nov 14, 2016

Jobbik's version would also ban foreigners from acquiring Hungarian residency permits in exchange for purchasing a special state bond for 300,000 euros