Budapest in the headlines: Hungary’s PM Viktor Orbán ousted; Péter Magyar forming a new cabinet, a shift after 16 years. Magyar, 38, leads the win.
Hungary's upcoming April 12 election sees Prime Minister Viktor Orbán facing a more competitive challenge from opposition leader Péter Magyar. Large rallies in Budapest highlight the growing support for both sides, with Magyar's polling about 10 points ahead. The campaign's final stretch is crucial as voters decide between continuity and change.
Budapest maintains a fleet of six century-old freight trams, known as 'mukis', which have operated for over 100 years. Originally built for wartime logistics, they now serve roles like snow clearing and maintenance, with minimal costs and unique operational requirements. Only three are actively used today.
The US is sending Vice President JD Vance to Budapest to support Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán before the April 12 parliamentary election. Orbán faces a challenge from opposition leader Péter Magyar, with polls showing Magyar gaining ground. The election could reshape Hungary's EU relations and domestic policies.
On April 12, 2026, Hungary holds a pivotal parliamentary election where Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in power for 16 years, faces strong opposition from Peter Magyar's Tisza party. Despite US Vice President JD Vance's recent visit and President Trump's endorsement, polls show Magyar leading amid public frustration over corruption, economic stagnation, and Orban's close ties to Russia.
Disinformation efforts targeting Hungary's upcoming election include fake videos, AI-generated content, and social media manipulation. These campaigns aim to influence voters by spreading fear about political chaos, foreign interference, and cultural issues, with significant activity linked to pro-government actors and foreign influence, especially Russia.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has traveled to Islamabad to lead mediated talks with Iran as a fragile ceasefire appears to be collapsing. The visit highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to manage regional tensions and support diplomatic solutions in the Middle East and South Asia.
Young Hungarians have played a key role in the recent election, supporting pro-European candidate Péter Magyar and protesting Orbán's government through music and demonstrations. The election results reflect a generational shift, with widespread dissatisfaction among youth over economic stagnation and political control.
Hungary's opposition leader Peter Magyar has won a decisive victory in the April 12, 2026 parliamentary elections, securing a two-thirds majority with his pro-EU Tisza party. Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat after 16 years in power. Magyar has pledged reforms to restore democratic institutions and unlock frozen EU funds, signaling a major shift in Hungary's domestic and foreign policy.
Péter Magyar has won Hungary's April 2026 parliamentary election, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year tenure. Magyar's pro-EU Tisza party has secured a two-thirds majority with record voter turnout. He has pledged to restore democratic institutions, unlock frozen EU funds, and rebuild Hungary's Western alliances, signaling a major political shift.
Hungary has elected Péter Magyar's Tisza party, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. The party has secured a supermajority, enabling constitutional and policy reforms. EU officials are arriving for talks amid the transition, with Magyar promising reforms and a break from the past. The new government is expected to be sworn in early May.
Hungarians have rejected Viktor Orban's government after 16 years, in a record vote favoring a pro-EU candidate. The loss has implications for US politics, as Trump allies have closely aligned with Orban's right-wing populism. The outcome raises concerns about the future of similar political strategies in the US.
Armenia's parliamentary elections are shaping up as a contest between pro-European candidate Nikol Pashinyan and Russian-aligned opponents, amid concerns over foreign influence. Hungary's recent election has resulted in Peter Magyar winning a landslide, promising to unlock EU funds and restore Hungary's ties with Brussels, ending Viktor Orbán's long rule.
President Peter Pellegrini has announced that Slovakia will hold a referendum on July 4, including votes on reopening the office of the special prosecutor. The referendum follows a petition by the opposition and is part of broader political debates, including measures to boost security for politicians and controversial legislative changes.
Péter Magyar has been sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister after his Tisza party won a historic two‑thirds majority on April 12. His new 16‑ministry cabinet has been formed; he has pledged to recover allegedly misused state assets, restore democratic checks and rejoin EU mechanisms to unblock about €17bn in frozen funds.
Hungary’s new government has opened the Karmelita, the Castle Hill monastery that symbolised Orbán’s rule, to the public while outlining plans to restore democratic institutions, tackle corruption, and reform media. Prime Minister Magyar has pledged to pursue checks and balances and to form a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, signaling a broad shake-up after a two-thirds parliamentary victory.
EU ambassadors have launched the formal process to open the first negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, and the Cyprus presidency has prepared intergovernmental conferences for June 15. Hungary has signalled a breakthrough on minority rights with Kyiv, and German proposals for an "associate member" status for Ukraine are shaping rival views of how fast accession can proceed.
UK fans will not paywall the Champions League final for the first time since 1992 as TNT Sports charges a monthly HBO Max subscription of £4.99 for access to the final and two other UEFA finals. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pressed TNT to reconsider, citing fans’ access and affordability.
PSG has retained the Champions League title after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in Budapest, winning 4-3 on penalties. Ousmane Dembélé converted the decisive spot kick after Gabriel Magalhaes had missed Arsenal's final penalty. Luis Enrique has now won three European Cups as a coach, while Arsenal miss out on back-to-back European crowns.
Arsenal and PSG have reached the Champions League Final in Budapest, with PSG aiming to defend their crown after a 5-0 win in 2023; Arsenal seek their first European crown in 140 years. PSG enters as favorites, having defeated Liverpool and Bayern Munich en route to the final.
Fans celebrated PSG's win in Budapest but violence erupted across about 15 French cities. Authorities have detained nearly 400 people, with Paris accounting for roughly 300 arrests. Planned Champs-Élysées celebrations are still set to proceed with the team hosted by President Macron at the Élysée palace.