Latest News from Budapest Times
Budapest Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Budapest Times
PM holds talks with Georgian counterpart in Budapest
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held talks with Irakli Kobakhidze, his Georgian counterpart, in his office in Budapest on Wednesday. According to MTI , the pair reviewed the current situation of Hungarian-Georgian economic and trade relations and explored possibilities to develop them. The two leaders made preparations for a Hungarian-Georgian governmental summit scheduled to be held in Budapest in June. Kobakhidze will deliver an address at the CPAC Hungary conference taking place in Budapest on May 29-30.
Budapest Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Orbán: The patriot plan is the only alternative to the European nightmare
Speaking before hundreds of international guests, including current and former heads of state and government, party leaders, and prominent conservative voices, Prime Minister Orbán positioned the event as a defining moment for Europe's right-wing resurgence. 'This is not a gathering of the defeated, but of those who have endured,' declared Prime Minister Orbán, paying tribute to leaders who, like him, have weathered relentless political attacks. He criticized liberal and progressive European politicians for their fragility in the face of scrutiny, stating, 'They cry at the first sign of criticism and hide behind progressive journalists.' The prime minister presented a stark contrast between two competing visions for Europe's future. According to him, the liberal plan envisions a post-Christian, post-national continent consumed by war, migration, and centralized debt. 'Brussels has stolen the European dream,' he warned, describing today's EU as a place where citizens fear for their safety and economic viability, and where 'organized population replacement' has taken the place of integration. In opposition, Prime Minister Orbán's patriot plan outlines four key pillars: Peace: 'We do not want the eastern front,' he said, firmly rejecting Ukraine's EU membership and war-driven policies. Sovereignty: Hungary opposes shared EU debts and taxes, and the funding of foreign wars with national resources. Freedom: Political freedom and freedom of expression must be restored to the European public. Security: Europe must be reclaimed from mass migration, and citizens must retake their urban neighborhoods. Prime Minister Orbán emphasized the necessity of local victories to achieve these aims: 'Everyone must return home and win their own battles.' He pointed to the upcoming elections in Poland as the next opportunity for the patriot alliance to gain ground. In a broader context, he celebrated Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency, calling it 'the greatest comeback in the history of the Western world.' Trump's early actions, including targeting the deep state and dismantling progressive ideologies, were described by the Hungarian leader as a 'truth serum' that has rekindled hope for peace and stability. The prime minister's address also saluted international allies like Andrej Babiš, Robert Fico, Santiago Abascal, and Alice Weidel—leaders who, according to him, exemplify the courage to resist the liberal consensus. Special recognition went to Robert Fico, whom he described as a leader who 'was shot five times and still returned as if nothing had happened.' Highlighting the ideological divide, Prime Minister Orbán lambasted Brussels' leftist elite for silencing dissent and orchestrating violent efforts to disrupt conservative events. 'This cannot continue,' he said. He accused EU liberals of attempting to replace national identity with an artificial construct, adding, 'The left does not want debate—they want submission.' 'The liberal plan leads to a centralized, indebted, war-driven Europe,' Prime Minister Orbán concluded. 'But Hungarians are a free people—we were born to follow our own path.' The message was unequivocal: The time has come for patriots across the continent to reclaim Europe.
Budapest Times
9 hours ago
- General
- Budapest Times
Natural decline of population on the rise
According to preliminary data, 5,323 children were born and 9,565 people died in April 2025. The number of births lessened by 14%, that of marriages by 5.4% and that of deaths by 2.3% compared to the same month of the previous year. In April a total of 5,323 children were born, 14% or 852 fewer than in April 2024. 9,565 people lost their lives, 2.3% or 228 less than a year earlier. The natural decrease was 4,242, as opposed to 3,618 in April 2024. 3,488 couples got married, which was 5.4% or 200 less than a year earlier. In January–April 2025 23,301 children were born, 2,216 or 8.7% less than in January–April 2024. Within this, the number of live births was 4.1% less in January, 8.6% less in February–March and 14% less in April than in the same months of 2024. The total fertility rate was estimated at 1.28 per female, which was 1.37 a year earlier. There were 45,079 deaths, 3.5% or 1,525 more than one year earlier. Compared to the same periods of the previous year, 7.8% more people died in January, 0.6% more in February, 7.0% more in March and 2.3% less in April. Due to the balance of births and deaths, the natural decrease was 21,778 people, which was 21% more than the value of 18,037 for 2024. 10,101 couples got married, 6.1% or 653 fewer than a year earlier. 4.4% less marriages were registered in January, 14% less in February and 3.9% less in March–April than in the corresponding months of 2024. There were 7.4 live births and 14.4 deaths per thousand population. The rate of live births was 0.6 per mille points lower, while that of deaths was 0.6 per mille points higher than in January–April 2024. The rate of natural decrease increased by 1.3 per mille points to 7.0 per mille. The number of infant deaths was 3.2 per thousand live births, which was 0.9 per mille points lower compared to the same period of the previous year. The marriage rate was 3.2 per mille, 0.2 per mille points lower than a year earlier. Between May 2024 and April 2025 75,284 children were born, 9.4% or 7,802 fewer than in the previous twelve months. There were 129,025 deaths, 2.1% or 2,657 more than in the previous twelve months. 45,897 couples got married, 10% or 5,275 fewer than in the previous twelve months.
Budapest Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Kocsis: We did not join NATO or the European Union to be a serf
'We did not join NATO or the European Union to be a serf but a member with full rights,' Máté Kocsis, the group leader of ruling Fidesz said. During The Bold Truth About Hungary podcast, Kocsis said the EU leadership was 'so committed to Ukraine's entry' that 'it no longer matters who is an ally or who is an enemy, or a neutral party … we are members of NATO and the EU … we are their allies, peers, their partners … even if we have a different position on some important issues.' 'Then there is Ukraine, which is not a member, nor an ally … no doubt, it has been attacked … but not by Europe,' Kocsis said. He said plans to fast-track Ukraine's European Union membership was 'the best decision in view of their own interests, since nine out of ten agricultural companies in Ukraine are in fact in US, or Western European … ownership.' The EU's direct agricultural subsidies would therefore 'transit Ukraine and land in Western Europe,' Kocsis said. Kocsis also said if Ukraine were to be a member of the EU, the country could send 70-75 deputies to the European Parliament, some 10 percent of the whole assembly. Those MEPs, he added, 'would be grateful to the incumbent, liberal Brussels elite' and 'would not join the Patriots group associated with (Hungarian PM) Viktor Orban.' Ukraine does not like that 'the Hungarian government wants to make a decision over their EU accession based on feedback from Hungarian voters,' Kocsis said. He said it was obvious that Ukraine was 'trying to discredit Hungary's referendum (on Ukraine's entry) and put Hungary in a situation in which we could be accused of making preparations for a military intervention, which could then prove Ukraine's position in the international arena'. 'I am certain it all is behind the games and considerations of the Ukrainian secret services,' Kocsis added. The Ukrainian leadership is trying to 'make Hungarians uncertain in their decision … should they oppose Ukraine's entry, Kocsis said, adding that some of the Hungarian media contributed to Ukraine's 'misinformation campaign'. He singled out news portal which he said had reported that the government's Voks2025 survey had been 'met with the public's total disinterest' whereas 1.2 million had returned the sheets to date. 'Ukraine appears to be manically trying to prove that Hungary is in fact pro-war rather than pro-peace,' Kocsis said, adding that the opposition Tisza Party was working to achieve the same end. He insisted that Ukraine was painting a picture of the people recently arrested on charges of espionage 'so that they could later accuse Hungary of plans to send tanks to Transcarpathia.'
Budapest Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Budapest Times
FM: Israel is Hungary's friend and strategic ally
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Israel is Hungary's friend and strategic ally. Speaking in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Minister Szijjártó said the Jewish state could continue to rely on Hungary in the international arena. 'We are aware that central Europe's security is closely linked to security in the Middle East, therefore, we have a vested interest in stability in that region,' Minister Szijjártó said during talks with Gideon Saar, his Israeli counterpart, according to a ministry statement. Referring to an increasing threat of terrorism worldwide, Minister Szijjártó expressed Hungary's firm support for the fight against terrorism, saying, 'we most firmly condemn Hamas, and demand that its hostages be released.' He also regretted that a Hungarian national was still among the hostages held by Hamas. 'We hope the international community will increase its pressure on Hamas to release all the hostages,' he said. Meanwhile, Minister Szijjártó said the Hungarian government 'firmly rejected' international efforts against Israel, such as the suspension of the European Union-Israel Association Council and sanctions against Israeli nationals. The minister welcomed the development of bilateral economic ties, with special regard to the areas of IT, the defence industry, medical technology and food production. Concerning talks with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana earlier in the day, Minister Szijjártó said they had agreed that 'the EU's fine imposed on Hungary for not allowing illegal migrants to enter is a good investment in Hungary's future and security.' 'There are some issues on which you cannot compromise and in some cases not even a fine will deter us; Hungary's security, calm, and identity must be preserved, and it can only be accomplished if we do not let illegal migrants in,' Minister Szijjártó said.
