Hungarian prime minister and long-time political operative
The Hungarian Parliament confirms Andr?s Baka as transitional president, as the ruling party pursues a sweeping constitutional overhaul that tightens control over media and judiciary. The move comes after Tisza-led reforms dismantle Orbán-era institutions and set the stage for a new constitutional order.
Bloomberg reports that Anna Unger has secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority to lead the National Asset Recovery Agency, challenging Miklos Ligeti. The Japan Times notes Peter Magyar is pulling funding from Brussels-based groups once backed by Viktor Orban, signaling a shift in Hungary’s Brussels influence.
The AfD has finished first in Saxony-Anhalt with about 43–44% of the vote, short of an absolute majority. CDU falls sharply, while BSW hints at possible cooperation. The result challenges Germany’s firewall against governing with the far right and raises questions about future coalition dynamics.
Hungary has ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country, saying they engaged in activities unacceptable under the Vienna Convention. Budapest insists the move does not break diplomatic ties with Russia, while Moscow vows a harsh, painful response as Hungary’s new government shifts away from its predecessor’s pro-Russia stance.
Prosecutors have sought to lift immunity for ex-minister and associates amid corruption probes spanning embezzlement and bribery accusations connected to the Orban era. Legislators have overwhelmingly backed the move, while Orban’s allies boycott the session.
The government has spent millions on TV ads featuring President Trump and other officials, labeled as public service announcements. Democratic senators have demanded answers, arguing the funding may be illegal and constituted a misuse of taxpayer dollars as midterms approach. The ads have drawn broad criticism and questions about independence of agencies.
President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election, calling him a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and warning the United States would carry the fight against Iran if Israelis choose another leader. The endorsement has drawn praise from Netanyahu allies and criticism from US Democrats and liberal Israeli groups; polls still show no clear governing majority.
Vice President J.D. Vance has declined to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu after President Donald Trump publicly backed the Israeli prime minister ahead of Israels 27 October election. Vance has said he will focus on endorsing American candidates in the U.S. midterms and will not get involved in Israeli elections, while previously backing foreign leaders such as Hungarys Viktor Orbn.
Serbia’s student-led “Student List” has mobilised across the country, fielding 250 candidates in a snap election aimed at unseating Vučić’s SNS. Protests and a 2024 Novi Sad canopy collapse are driving a push for reform, amid concerns about media fairness and civil freedoms.
Hungary’s government has unlocked 16.4 billion euros in EU funds after rapid reforms; Prime Minister Magyar pledges accountability for past misuses while keeping migration policies. Dignitaries including von der Leyen visit Budapest to mark the 1956 revolution anniversary.
The Student List has won a parliamentary majority in Serbia after defeating long-time ruling party SNS led by Vučić. The leaderless, cross-sector movement plans to overhaul institutions and tackle corruption, while Vučić concedes defeat and signals a transition.
Serbia’s Student List has secured a clear parliamentary majority amid post‑canopy collapse protests that spurred a youth‑driven political surge. Turnout rose to a record high as the movement, built from university protests, aims to overhaul governance, tackle corruption, and recalibrate Serbia’s foreign ties after a decade of SNS rule.
Hungary’s new government has released state-security agent files from 1945-1989, enabling online searching for names. The move aims to confront the past and rebuild public trust, with tens of thousands of informants named and a portion alive today. Critics warn families will face difficult discoveries.
Hungarian authorities have detained Áron Orbán and three others in a human-smuggling probe tied to expedited residence permits for more than 100 Vietnamese nationals in 2024. The arrests form part of Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s wider anti-corruption campaign, which has already placed former ministers and the ex-central bank governor in custody.
The European Union faces pressure as Germany signals a tougher stance on China with possible new trade tools. Berlin tours Brussels for alignments while signs point to Beijing adapting to Europe’s de-risking stance. EU officials plan coordinated trips to Beijing to press for currency adjustments and trade protections amid a growing Sino-European rift.
Anti-corruption authorities have recovered a total of about $19.5 million in cash hidden across forests, agricultural sites and buildings in Hungary, as part of probes into former minister Miklós Seszták and others from the Orbán era. Authorities say the haul is part of ongoing graft investigations that have intensified in recent weeks.