Hungary

Hungary is facing elections in a year's time and pre-election polls predict that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party could end up in opposition. "Orbán has the lowest support since 2010 and he realises it. With his actions against the opposition, LGBT and others, he is trying to keep the conservative core of his voters," said Oszkár Roginer-Hofmeister, a Hungarian analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute, in an interview with iROZHLAS.cz.

Europe's unified approach has traditionally been complicated by Hungary, which openly rejects aid to Ukraine. Martin Vokálek, Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the common European defence.

As expected, the 26 EU leaders found a consensus on Ukraine. While the text did not bring any new commitments, it showed a "new standard" of strong statements without the consent of one hundred percent of the European Council members. EUROPEUM Institute analyst Zuzana Krulichová comments on the situation.

In Brussels, representatives of the Member States discussed a myriad of issues. One of them is the continuation of further military aid to Ukraine. Twenty-six Member States supported the joint declaration on the continuation of aid, while Hungary opposed it. What weight does this declaration carry if it is not unanimous? Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for STVR.

Article 7 has been triggered against Hungary for many years, but it is going nowhere. Unanimous agreement is needed from all EU Member States, except Hungary. I doubt that this will ever happen, says Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM.

The EU has extended economic sanctions against Russia. This was confirmed by the head of diplomacy Kaja Kallas. Hungary had reservations, but eventually relented after assurances on energy security. The European Commission promised to continue negotiations on Russian gas supplies with Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia. Danielle Piatkiewicz, research fellow at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for STVR.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico describes the decision of Ukraine, which is resisting the Russian invasion for the third year, to stop gas transit from Russia as a threat to Slovakia. Despite the announced end of gas transit, his government has not prepared Slovakia for this situation. It is negotiating both with Moscow over supplies from Russia and with the European Commission. Martin Vokálek, executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for morning news on Czech Radio Plus.

What key things have happened in the EU this year? And what lessons should be learned for the future? Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office Žiga Faktor commented for Euractiv.cz podcast.

The European Commission sues Hungary over a law protecting national sovereignty. According to Brussels, it violates, among other things, several fundamental freedoms of the internal market or EU data protection laws. Budapest defends the law on the grounds that it is necessary to protect it from foreign political interference. For example, it prohibits political parties standing for election from being financed by anyone from abroad. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for main evening broadcast on TV Nova.

This year, the EU has not declared the regime in Belarus authoritarian. Hungary vetoed such a decision. Budapest has thus found a new element in this short EU tradition - a communiqué on the anniversary of the electoral fraud committed by Alexander Lukashenko in 2020 - to clash with Brussels. Kristína Chebáková, project manager at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation related to the Hungarian EU presidency for the Spanish daily El País.

Viktor Orbán has recently stirred controversy in the EU by allowing Russian and Belarusian citizens to enter Hungary without controls. This move, which simplifies their movement within the Schengen Area, has raised concerns about security threats and pressure on European states. What impact might Orbán's policy have on Europe's security, and how are EU institutions responding? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, discusses the situation for Deník N.

Brussels is boycotting Hungary's presidency due to Viktor Orbán, who during his tour of Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing claimed to be working for peace, even as his actions coincided with Russia's attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv. His mission was sharply criticized by European leaders, and the EU has distanced itself from his actions, with member states agreeing to boycott informal meetings in Hungary. Could Brussels take further measures? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for Respekt magazine.