Defence Minister: Government committed to maintaining and developing Hungarian Grand Prix
The minister noted that he had met with Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, who praised the speed and quality of recent renovations at the venue. 'He was almost lost for words when discussing the renewed infrastructure,' Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, highlighting the strategic value of the event for both parties. He confirmed that Hungary's promoter agreement had already been renewed for five years, with provisions for further extension.
'The Hungarian government is dedicated to keeping this event here, and to its continuous development and strengthening,' he said, noting full alignment with Formula 1 leadership on this objective.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky described the recent renovation as a 'major leap forward' in the Hungaroring's history. He emphasized the event's significance as a national showcase, citing its ability to attract 300,000 attendees over a weekend and hundreds of millions of viewers globally. 'Through the Grand Prix, Hungary has the chance to present itself. The images broadcast show Budapest and the country, and the GDP impact of hosting the race runs into tens of billions,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Budapest Times
11 hours ago
- Budapest Times
Orbán: We must behave – not just in general, but also in our own communities
The conversation touched on topics from political attacks and media sensationalism to the expectations of Hungarian citizens and the responsibilities of those in positions of power. Reflecting on a controversial moment from 2013, the prime minister recalled how he approached the incident with composure despite being physically targeted. Rather than seeking retaliation, he evaluated whether the provocation was genuine or simply part of the show business surrounding politics. His response underscored a consistent principle: maintain calm, even under pressure. Throughout the discussion, Prime Minister Orbán emphasized the importance of authenticity and connection with the public. He rejected the idea of blind political allegiance and instead encouraged his supporters to continuously reassess their views. 'I was not brought back [in 2010] because they loved me, but because the country was in crisis and problems had to be solved,' he remarked, underscoring a pragmatic view of leadership rooted in responsibility rather than popularity. On social dynamics, the prime minister spoke critically of ostentation, calling it 'horrible, harmful, and wrong.' He argued that while economic inequality is a natural feature of market economies, it becomes unacceptable when wealth is flaunted in a way that alienates ordinary citizens. According to him, Hungarian people can accept differences in financial status—as long as the wealthy respect the law, pay their taxes, and create jobs. But public display of affluence is fundamentally at odds with Hungarian cultural values. 'Don't shove it in people's faces that you have, when they don't,' he said, noting that this kind of behavior provokes rightful anger. He also addressed accusations regarding his own lifestyle, particularly the claim that he lives like a 'castle owner.' He denied this outright and warned that such narratives are often crafted to turn people against him. He acknowledged that not everyone on the political right-wing fully understands the need for modesty and restraint, but stressed that those in leadership must align with the cultural instincts of the nation. Prime Minister Orbán described Hungarian society as freedom-loving yet order-seeking—distinctly different from more individualistic Western cultures. In Hungary, a leader is expected to be both exceptional and relatable: 'They want you to be the best and still be one of them.' This, he said, must be accepted as the standard of leadership in Hungary. As the conversation concluded, the prime minister addressed political intimidation, dismissing threats against figures like Dopeman as unrepresentative of true Hungarian behavior. He warned, however, that the real danger comes not from robust debate, but from those who would turn politics into coercion. 'If someone says you have to run after 2026, that person represents dictatorship,' he said. Throughout the exchange, Prime Minister Orbán reinforced his core message: effective leadership in Hungary requires self-awareness, respect for cultural norms, and a commitment to serve—not dominate—the people.
Budapest Times
11 hours ago
- Budapest Times
Center for Fundamental Rights: Brussels weaponizes rule of law while ignoring real abuses
The Center for Fundamental Rights has criticized the European Commission's latest rule of law report, calling it a clear example of legal hypocrisy. In a summary of its analysis titled The EU's Legal Hypocrisy in Weaponizing the Rule of Law, the Hungarian-Polish Freedom Institute accused Brussels of ignoring serious violations in Poland and Ukraine while targeting Hungary for political reasons. According to the statement issued Monday, the Commission 'turns a blind eye' to how the Tusk government in Poland uses methods reminiscent of 'the darkest communist times' to restore the rule of law. The center also claimed the EU overlooks abuses in Ukraine, where authorities reportedly commit crimes against their population and disregard both international human rights obligations and their own constitution. The analysis cited reports of violent forced conscription affecting the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia, including an alleged incident where a Hungarian citizen died from injuries inflicted by authorities—an event the centre says has been downplayed as falling 'within the framework of the rule of law.' Despite these concerns, the EU is rapidly advancing Ukraine's accession, the center noted. It further stated that Ukraine's intelligence services have interfered in Hungarian domestic politics by supporting the TISZA Party's campaign efforts to promote EU membership for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the statement said, Hungary faces relentless pressure from Brussels for rejecting migration, gender ideology, war, and what the centre described as 'economic and social suicide' linked to Ukraine's EU accession. The Center for Fundamental Rights concluded that the rule of law, as interpreted by the Commission, has been stripped of its original constitutional and human rights essence, becoming a political weapon used against governments that diverge from a 'left-liberal or globalist agenda.'
Budapest Times
11 hours ago
- Budapest Times
GVH launches investigation into Ryanair over suspected unfair online booking practices
The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has initiated a competition supervision proceeding against Ryanair, suspecting the Irish-based low-cost airline of engaging in unfair commercial practices during its online ticket booking process, the authority announced on Tuesday. According to the GVH, Ryanair's Hungarian-language website may mislead consumers in multiple ways, particularly when booking return trips or tickets for multiple passengers. The authority suspects that the airline fails to adequately inform users that fare package prices and optional services—such as baggage and boarding preferences—must be paid separately for each leg and for each passenger. The GVH highlighted the way prices for fare options like 'Regular', 'Plus', and 'FlexiPlus', as well as optional services like 'Priority Boarding with 2 Cabin Bags' and 'Security Fast Track', are displayed. These practices may pressure consumers into choices they would not otherwise make. The authority also raised concerns about potential psychological pressure during the booking process, citing the use of colors, visuals, and prompts that present the 'Regular' fare as more attractive than the basic fare—despite the possibility of obtaining the same services at a lower total cost by adding them manually to the 'Basic' fare. GVH further noted that pop-up windows and urgency-inducing messages promoting the 'Fast Track' service may unduly limit consumer choice, amounting to another suspected unfair practice. While the launch of the investigation does not imply that a violation has occurred, the GVH will now assess the facts and determine whether Ryanair breached Hungarian competition rules. The process may take up to three months, extendable twice for two additional months each, if needed. The GVH underlined that it has closely monitored the domestic aviation market in recent years, previously conducting a sector-wide analysis in 2022 on the use of psychological tactics and so-called 'dark patterns' by low-cost carriers and price comparison websites.
