How von der Leyen blindsided Brussels with her deregulation drive
The Commission president is pushing a sweeping, rapid and centralized agenda to โsimplifyโ EU rules โ and not everyone in Brussels is thrilled.
๐ญ๐บ Hungary
The fight for Europe is on
At a time of intensifying great power competition, the EU has to choose between becoming a satrap of the U.S. or breaking free to steer its own course โ and it must decide quickly.
As US recedes, NATO scrambles to find a new leader
The Brits, French, and Germans all have their own ideas about how to defend the continent with Americaโs plans in flux.ย
Europe’s unity is being tested by Ukraine negotiations between Washington and Moscow
While most European countries believe that Europe should be involved in the negotiations, Hungary and Slovakia are critical of Brussels.
โHallelujahโ: Orbรกn predicts Trump-Putin talks will โreintegrateโ Russia into Europe
“That’s what we’ve been waiting for,” Hungarian prime minister says.
Trump triggers Western anger over โappeasementโ talks with Putinย
EU and British politicians warn America against caving to the Kremlin’s demands on Ukraine. ย
Trumpโs uphill battle to make NATO allies hit his mega defense spending target
There is broad agreement to boost defense spending โ but the U.S. president’s call for 5 percent of GDP is too much for most European countries.
Hungary’s Orban says far-right AfD is the ‘future of Germany’
Emboldened by his ‘dear friend’ US President Donald Trump’s return to power, Hungary’s nationalist leader has vowed to ‘occupy Brussels’ by bringing together far-right parties in the European Parliament.
Far-right AfD is โfutureโ of Germany, says Hungaryโs Orbรกn
Hungarian leader mends ties with Alice Weidel 10 days before German elections
AfD chief and Hungary’s Orbรกn bond over migration during talks in Budapest
The AfD is polling in second place ahead of Germany’s elections scheduled for 23 February. However, all other parties have ruled out entering into a coalition with it.
Authoritarian leaders in former Soviet bloc seize on Muskโs USAid crackdown
Regionโs autocrats join in persecution of agency that provided aid and helped to build up civil society in 1990sAcross the former Soviet bloc, rightwing and autocratic government have their knives out for USAid, demanding data on grant recipients from …
Weidel bei Orbรกn: Was will die AfD in der Auรenpolitik?
โ Alice Weidel in Budapest: wie die AfD-Chefin und Ungarns Regierungschef den Schulterschluss รผben. โ Im 200-Sekunden-Interview: Gerold Otten, AfD-Abgeordneter und Mitglied im Verteidigungsausschuss zur Ukraine- und Sicherheitspolitik seiner Partei. โ Trump und die Zรถlle: Wie Frankreich und Deutschland einander im drohenden Konflikt um Stahl- und Aluminium-Exporte in die USA einander beistehen. โ Bรผrger und [โฆ]
Germanyโs old-school conservatism is well and truly over
Even if Merz stumbles across the finish line and secures a coalition government, the death knell for Christian democracy may well have been sounded.
Ukraine war briefing: Putin admits situation โvery difficultโ in Kursk as Kyiv forces mount new offensive
Moscow shows โindifferenceโ to civilian humanitarian corridor offer, says Zelenskyy; France delivers Mirage jets. What we know on day 1,080Russia said it was battling a new Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, as Kyiv offered a humanitarian corridor for civil…
Authoritarian regimes around the world cheer on dismantling of USAid
Elon Musk-led razing of US foreign aid agency led strong-arm rulers in Hungary, Belarus and elsewhere to celebrateMoscow has welcomed the impending dissolution of USAid, joining a chorus of strongman leaders declaring victory over an organisation they …
Hungary floats WHO withdrawal after Trump and Milei exits
Comments from Viktor Orbรกn’s team suggest the exodus from WHO could continue.
Europeans on democracyโs frontlines offer advice to Americans: never give up
With the new Trump era likely to pose unprecedented challenges the message from Europeโs fragile democracies is: stay united and safeguard your institutionsEuropeans who witnessed democracy crumble before their eyes have some words of advice for Americ…
Czechia battles to safeguard public media independence
PRAGUE – Czech public media face growing threats as opposition leader Andrej Babiลก, widely regarded as a frontrunner in this autumnโs general election, advocates for direct state funding of broadcasters. His proposed reforms, mirroring those in Slovaki…
Hungary wants Trump deal before Russia sanctions extension
Only with Washingtonโs blessing is Budapest willing to extend sanctions against Russia.ย
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Belgium gets new nationalist-led governmentย
With its new government, Belgium joins a growing list of European countries led by nationalist forces such as Meloni’s Italy and Orban’s Hungary.
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Body of second woman found in search for missing sisters in Aberdeen
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32 and originally from Hungary, were last seen on CCTV near harbour on 7 JanuaryThe body of a second woman has been found in the search for two sisters who went missing in Aberdeen last month.Eliza and Henrietta Huszti,…
Merkel, Musk and the far right: What is going on in Germanyโs election?
As Germans prepare to vote on Feb. 23, an almighty argument over whether mainstream parties should work with the anti-immigration AfD is threatening to upend politics in Europeโs most powerful democracy.ย
France leads fight against EU plans to merge health crisis and civil protection units
11 countries signed a paper to Ursula von der Leyen warning the move would downgrade Europe’s health crisis resiliency.
Orbรกn on Russia: US sanctions good, EU sanctions bad
Hungarian PM again makes performative threat about lifting the bloc’s tough measures against Moscow.
Europe should have grown up a long time ago โ now with Trump thereโs no choice
Europeโs leaders had plenty of warnings about what the U.S. presidentโs second term might mean, but amid much eye-rolling, hand-wringing and wishful thinking, they failed to agree on a plan.
Slovak PMโs meeting with von der Leyen axed amid Brussels air traffic control chaos
Robert Fico was due to discuss his gas transit dispute with Ukraine with EU leaders.
Chasing the Don: How EU politicians are jockeying for position with Trump
From Nigel Farage to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, EU politicians are competing for the privilege of being Europe’s Trump whisperer.
Slovakia summons Ukrainian ambassador over gas transit feud
Relations between Robert Fico in Bratislava and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv have become increasingly bitter over the month.
German Green chief warns conservatives not to strike migration deal with far right
โThis will break Europe,โ Robert Habeck says, as fears grow over the broader implications of collaboration between the CDU and AfD.
EU lets Russian LNG slip in new sanctions package
The proposal will not include a blanket prohibition of LNG imports, as scores of EU hawks have been urging.
Orbรกnโs power to disrupt is exaggerated
The economic difficulties facing the Hungarian leader with will further undermine his ability to hijack โ let alone drive โ the EUโs agenda.
EU aims to fast-track Ukraine membership bid in 2025
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said the EU aims to open two negotiating “clusters” with Ukraine by mid-2025.
Ukraine war briefing: Shock as Trump aid freeze hits Ukrainian causes
Veteransโ help and healthcare among NGOs whose USAid funding has been cut off; Hungary steps aside from blocking Russia sanctions. What we know on day 1,070 Continue reading…
Orbรกn, Le Pen to hold โMake Europe Great Againโ rally in Madrid
Patriots party prepping up grand far-right lovefest.
Hungary lifts blockade on EU Russia sanctions renewal
But EU diplomats warn that this is unlikely to be Hungary’s last veto.
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Hungary backs down from veto threat and allows renewal of EU sanctions on Russia
Hungary backs down from veto threat and allows renewal of EU sanctions on Russia
EU renews Russia sanctions after Hungary lifts veto threat
Budapestโs U-turn follows Donald Trumpโs warning to Moscow that it could face more curbs unless it ends war โsoonโ
Hungary backs down in EU Russia sanctions standoff
Before relenting, Budapest had threatened to allow billions of dollars to flow back to the Kremlin in a row over energy imports.
My grandpa chose not to speak about his Holocaust experiences โ but he asked me to tell the world | Ella Garai-Ebner
As the grandchild of a survivor, Iโm proud to keep his testimony alive, in the hope that people never forget the horrors humanity is capable ofYesterday, I watched A Real Pain in the cinema. The film is a beautiful representation of two cousins, united…
EUโs Russia sanctions roll-over explained
Should EU foreign ministers fail to renew the sanctions by January, diplomats say there is still enough time to call an had-hoc emergency EU summit
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Slovakia leads EU charge to rein in supermarket power
Slovakiaโs right-wing government is spearheading a push to strengthen EU rules on unfair trading practices, saying the current reforms donโt go far enough.
Turkey pushing to help EU replace Ukraine gas transit
Ankara is angling for new energy talks in Brussels amid pressure for closer ties with the bloc.
Ukraine can bring Azeri gas to Europe, Zelenskyy says
Comments came after angry complaints from Slovakia and Hungary over Kyiv’s refusal to renew transit of Russian gas.
Trump administration takes first anti-abortion move on world stage
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive Friday to rejoin a global anti-abortion pact.
Orbรกnโs new threat: Iโll end Russia sanctions unless Ukraine pumps Putinโs gas
But diplomats still expect the Hungarian prime minister to ultimately back down, perhaps as soon as Monday.
Hungary threatens to disrupt Russia sanctions unless Ukraine reopens gas transit
Viktor Orbรกn floats new demand as EU rushes to renew restrictions on Moscow
How Hungary keeps holding the EU sanctions against Russia hostage
Also in this newsletter: Why the prospects of Irelandโs new government are cloudy
Hungaryโs cohesion crisis, EU funds in limbo with rule-of-law standstill [Advocacy Lab Content]
In Hungary, โฌ38 million will be implemented for technical assistance through the Operational Programme Plus, of which the EU will contribute some โฌ31.47 million
The post Hungary’s cohesion crisis, EU funds in limbo with rule-of-law standstill app…
Hungary wobbles on sanctions threat after Trump calls out Putin
Viktor Orbรกn has flirted with killing the EU’s Russia sanctions. But he didn’t get the ally he might have expected in Donald Trump.
Elon Muskโs salute was โinnocent,โ insists Javier Milei
Argentina’s leader also lashes so-called woke ideology during fiery speech in Davos.
Hungary ratchets up anti-sanctions rhetoric as renewal deadline looms
Hungary ratchets up anti-sanctions rhetoric as renewal deadline looms
Hungary will welcome Netanyahu despite ICC warrant, minister says
Pรฉter Szijjรกrtรณโs comment comes as other countries signal ambivalence about arresting Israeli PM
Bomb threats disrupt dozens of schools across Hungary, authorities investigate
Bomb threats disrupt dozens of schools across Hungary, authorities investigate
US thinktank climate science deniers working with rightwingers in EU parliament
Representatives of Heartland Institute linking up with MEPs to campaign against environmental policiesClimate science deniers from a US-based thinktank have been working with rightwing politicians in Europe to campaign against environmental policies, t…
Dutch pioneer files EUโs second lab-grown meat application
Mosa Meat says its cell-based beef is already affordable for restaurants.
Orbรกn and Fico find common ground ahead of Davos
While both expressed support for Russian gas supplies, they diverged on Ukraine’s EU bid.
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MEPs to tackle Hungarian espionage case amid spyware legislative vacuum
At the moment, EU law does not protect EU officials against spyware.ย
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Trump presidency will help to โoccupy Brusselsโ, says Orbรกn
Hungary PM says new US leader will bolster Europeโs rightwing forces as nationalist politicians attend inaugurationDonald Trump inauguration โ live updatesWhat time is Trumpโs inauguration? How to watch the eventsDonald Trumpโs presidency will boost ri…
In Hungary, the US ambassador steps down under the pro-regime forces’ jeers
Targeted as public enemy number one by the country’s local media and government officials, David Pressman left his post after two and a half years of personal attacks and unrelenting hatred from Viktor Orban.
Austriaโs central bank chief: Donโt fear the far right
ECB rate-setter also warns that inflation risks are on the rise and that a January rate cut is not a done deal.
Orbรกnโs lockdown orgy acolyte returns in bid to save face
Former MEP Jรณzsef Szรกjer, a close ally of the Hungarian PM, tells POLITICO he wants to show he’s more than just a meme.
โHas the world gone mad? It hasโ: foreign reporters share a view of Trump from abroad
Journalists from countries that have seen challenges to democracy give their view on the second Trump presidencyWhat is the view of US democracy from abroad, and what can Americans learn from other nations with a history of political tumult?During his …
โIf You Compromise With Totalitarian Systems, You Will Pay a High Priceโ
In a new book, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Dรถpfner urges the U.S. and Europe to join together in a โFreedom Trade Allianceโ against China, Russia and other autocracies.
Hungary wins EU approval for its four-year fiscal plan
Country is expected to leave the European Commission’s over-spending surveillance regime in 2026.
Raids targeting anti-corruption chief rock Hungary’s government
Ferenc Biro is suspected of corruption and abuse of authority but says it is politically motivated.
US sanctions against key Orbรกn ally have ‘strengthened’ him, Hungary’s PM says
US sanctions against key Orbรกn ally have ‘strengthened’ him, Hungary’s PM says
Austria is set for a far-right chancellor. For the EU itโs the โnew normalโ
If Herbert Kickl becomes chancellor, Vienna will join list of disruptive member states, putting EU policies in perilWhen Austriaโs Freedom party (FPร) entered government 25 years ago, shock waves reverberated around Europe. Punitive measures were impos…
Polish prosecution seeks to charge former PM Morawiecki
Mateusz Morawiecki insists that efforts to charge him for improperly organizing a presidential election in 2020 are politically motivated.
Hungary wins EU Commission approval for long-delayed budget plan
This means that 21 out of the 22 fiscal plans submitted by EU member states have been endorsed by the Commission.
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Romania flags โnational security riskโ in sale of energy company to Hungary
Risks over the sharing of personal data with non-EU entities were among those identified.
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Europe must take responsibility for its own security, says Polish minister
โVery difficult timeโ anticipated as Poland takes over EU presidency against backdrop of geopolitical uncertaintyEurope must โtake responsibilityโ for its own security, Poland has told its fellow EU member states, as Warsaw takes over the rotating pres…
Bulgarian MPs reject new Russian gas transit tax
Sofia remains close to Hungary, and its leader Viktor Orban.
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Austriaโs Kickl brings Europeโs anti-populist firewall crashing down
Herbert Kickl’s rise ends a firewall that has kept populist politicians out of power in EU countries for decades.
Hungarian multiple myeloma patients facing serious delays in plasma cancer diagnosis
Delayed diagnosis causes a significant disadvantage for Hungarian patients adding cost and complexity to the already stretched healthcare system.
The post Hungarian multiple myeloma patients facing serious delays in plasma cancer diagnosis appeared fir…
Ukraine tried to attack TurkStream infrastructure in Russia, Moscow says
TurkStream continues to supply Russian gas to Serbia and Hungary via Bulgaria.
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Keep calm, Austriaโs acting leader tells EU as far right looms
Alexander Schallenberg reassures officials that pro-Russian chancellor would be restrained.
The Guardian view on globalisation and its discontents: how the left was left behind | Editorial
As national populist parties gain ground in the west, progressives must put social and climate priorities ahead of market interestsDifferent year, same direction of travel. The likely formation of the first far-right-led government in Austriaโs postwar…
What’s behind Budapest’s latest social media feud with Brussels?
What’s behind Budapest’s latest social media feud with Brussels?
Serbia hit with double whammy on gas supply
New U.S. sanctions against Russia target Serbia’s main gas company, at the same time that Azerbaijan claims to not be able to deliver its supply.
Orbรกnโs challenger sees strong EU, NATO ties, โpragmaticโ approach to Russia
Pรฉter Magyar said his party would fight the elections on its own, ruling out an alliance with other opposition parties.
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Pump Russian gas or face the consequences, Fico threatens Ukraine
The Slovak prime minister has appealed to the EU to intervene in a growing row with Kyiv.
Open borders defy rising nationalism in Europe. We must protect them | Alexander Hurst
Reimposing passport checks in the Schengen area creates new political lines in our minds โ and that poses its own dangerWith so many economic and political challenges looming, the EU nevertheless began 2025 with a little bit of its old magic and a remi…
Fico says he secured gas supply for Slovakia in talks with Putin
Since 1 January Slovakia has continued receiving gas coming via Hungary, which receives Russian gas via TurkStream
The post Fico says he secured gas supply for Slovakia in talks with Putin appeared first on Euractiv.
US slaps sanctions on close aide to Hungary’s Viktor Orban
Antal Rogan is one of the most powerful men in Orban’s government and heads his cabinet office.
French far rightโs Zemmour to attend Trump inauguration, leaving Le Pen scrambling for a way
The pundit-turned-politician could be a potential ally for the president-elect and Elon Musk as the tech billionaire wades deeper into European politics.
US puts key aide to Orbรกn on Magnitsky list for suspected corruption
The sanctions target Antal Rogรกn, a close aide of Orbรกn who has run his cabinet office since 2015.
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In Austriaโs Kickl, the EU has its next Orbรกn
Vienna could be about to get its first far-right leader since World War II. Europe’s mainstream sees trouble brewing.
There is no such thing as good nuclear proliferation
In a world less constrained by international norms and rules, and increasingly governed by sheer power, the strictures that long constrained nuclear proliferation are in danger of loosening โ if not untangling altogether.
US imposes sanctions on senior Hungarian government minister
US treasury accuses Antal Rogรกn, a close aide of leader Viktor Orbรกn, as key to โsystem of corruptionโThe United States has imposed sanctions on a senior member of the Hungarian government for alleged corruption, in a move which Budapest said it would …
US sanctions key member of Viktor Orbรกnโs inner circle for โcorruptionโ
Treasury has designated Hungarian PM’s Cabinet office chief as a “corrupt government official.”
Austrian far right looks to assert dominance in coalition talks, hails โnew eraโ
Far-right leader Herbert Kickl says he’s prepared for new elections if his party can’t find a submissive junior partner.
Slovakia bending truth about Russian gas talks, says Ukraine
Claims Kyiv torpedoed talks on energy supplies don’t reflect reality, the country’s EU ambassador told POLITICO.
To see how Trump will control the US media, look at Viktor Orbรกnโs Hungary | Owen Jones
Nick Cleggโs departure is likely to see Meta following Xโs tilt towards the right. It leaves the way open for an insidious hollowing out of democracyWill democracy survive a second Trump presidency? A change of senior personnel at a social media compan…
Trumpโs shadow looms over Hungary and Poland
Dealing with the next US administration will test Warsaw as it replaces Budapest in the EUโs rotating presidency
Poland takes over EU presidency with focus on security
Analysts say the Polish presidency is a key moment for Europe above all due to Trumpโs arrival and the situation in Ukraine but also issues related to the broader economy.
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Hungarian envoy โnot welcomeโ at Polandโs EU presidency gala
Warsaw-Budapest relations are in the deep freeze.
Agnes Keleti, oldest living Olympic gold medallist, dies at 103
Hungarian gymnast survived persecution of Jews in second world war and won five golds across two GamesThe Hungarian five-time Olympic champion gymnast Agnes Keleti, the worldโs oldest living Olympic gold medallist and a survivor of the persecution of J…
Integrate? Europeโs Muslims are damned if we do and damned if we donโt | Shada Islam
The new allegation in Islamophobic discourse is that even Muslims who appear โwell-integratedโ hate the westReporting on the rise of anti-Muslim hostility across Europe means repeatedly hearing generalisations about Europeโs 25 million Muslims. We are …
Cutting off Russian gas to EU will have โdrasticโ impact, Slovak PM warns
Top Putin ally has threatened to retaliate against Kyiv.
End of Russian gas via Ukraine sparks unease in eastern Europe
Although Europe has fought to wean itself off dependence on Russian gas since Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, several eastern European states still look to Moscow for much of their energy needs.
The post End of Russian gas via Ukraine …