Where in Europe was unemployment the lowest in March? <\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2024//02//09//hungarian-inflation-falls-to-two-year-low-in-january-as-energy-prices-fall/">Hungarian inflation falls to two-year low in January as energy prices fall<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, household electricity, gas and other fuels became 4.5% cheaper. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices rose by 3.8%, pharmaceutical products became 7.3% more expensive.<\/p>\n<p>Food inflation, which was one of the core drivers of the double-digit price increase in Hungary for the previous year, has recently lowered considerably, landing at 1% in April. Within this category, sugar prices rocketed by more than 30%, and\u00a0chocolate and cocoa by\u00a09.2%, but\u00a0egg prices decreased by 20.3%, among others.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-flourish widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-chart u-min-height-375\" data-src=\"visualisation\/16756073?92060\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Annual core inflation, excluding volatile items such as food and energy prices, was\u00a04.1% in April 2024 down from 4.4% in the previous month.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This figure is a key driver in the decision-making of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), which has gradually started lowering the benchmark rate since October 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to MNB's latest forecast, the current decline in core inflation will stop in the second quarter of 2024 and it is expected to fluctuate between 4.5% and 5% for the rest of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8420506\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2024//05//08//eu-china-relations-the-economic-challenges-yet-to-be-resolved/">EU-China relations: The economic challenges yet to be resolved<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The MNB's medium-term inflation target is at 3%, beyond that, there is an additional 1% tolerance band.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the gradual easing of Hungarian monetary conditions has continued in April, when the MNB cut its interest rate by 50 basis points to 7.75%. By the end of June, the market expects to see this rate at around 6.5-7%, however, analysis from ING warned that the pace of cuts could slow down.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Hungarian government is expecting 2.5% GDP growth for this year, before economic growth accelerates to 4% in 2025.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1715323797,"updatedAt":1715337161,"publishedAt":1715337156,"firstPublishedAt":1715337161,"lastPublishedAt":1715337156,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/69\/68\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3cb25c74-df80-5b86-9bfe-855a2a02b553-8426968.jpg","altText":"Customers purchase food in Budapest's Grand Market Hall on Saturday, April 8, 2023.","caption":"Customers purchase food in Budapest's Grand Market Hall on Saturday, April 8, 2023.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":681}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"katanich","title":"Doloresz Katanich","twitter":"@doloreskatanich"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":150,"slug":"inflation","urlSafeValue":"inflation","title":"Inflation","titleRaw":"Inflation"},{"id":29290,"slug":"food-inflation","urlSafeValue":"food-inflation","title":"food inflation","titleRaw":"food inflation"},{"id":28884,"slug":"akaryakit-fiyatlari","urlSafeValue":"akaryakit-fiyatlari","title":"fuel prices","titleRaw":"fuel prices"},{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":28666,"slug":"hungarian-economy","urlSafeValue":"hungarian-economy","title":"Hungarian economy","titleRaw":"Hungarian economy"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2},{"slug":"flourish","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2539452},{"id":2539478}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/economy\/economy"},"vertical":"business","verticals":[{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/economy"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":72,"urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_busfin','gs_busfin_economy','gs_economy','gs_fooddrink','gs_economy_misc','gs_busfin_economy_rates','gs_food_misc','gs_fooddrink_cooking','gt_negative','neg_facebook'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/business\/2024\/05\/10\/inflation-rate-in-hungary-edges-up-slightly-to-37-in-april","lastModified":1715337156},{"id":2538752,"cid":8424816,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240509_E3SU_55496134","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"HUNGARY XI CORRESPONDENT AS LIVE","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Is China using Hungary as its bridgehead in Europe?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Is China using Hungary as its bridgehead in Europe?","titleListing2":"Is China using Hungary as its bridgehead in Europe?","leadin":"The primary purpose of Xi Jinping's three-day visit to Hungary might be to ensure that Hungary can help China gain market share in the EU, as Beijing and Budapest prepare to sign a total of 16 bilateral agreements.","summary":"The primary purpose of Xi Jinping's three-day visit to Hungary might be to ensure that Hungary can help China gain market share in the EU, as Beijing and Budapest prepare to sign a total of 16 bilateral agreements.","keySentence":"","url":"is-china-using-hungary-as-bridgehead-in-europe","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/05\/09\/is-china-using-hungary-as-bridgehead-in-europe","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Chinese president has arrived in Budapest late Wednesday, in the third and last stop of his European visit. \n\nDuring his three-day stay, Xi Jinping and his delegation are expected to conclude a series of economic agreements with Budapest, as\u00a0China sees Hungary as an important bridgehead in conquering European markets: among other things, Chinese companies are building electric car and battery factories. \n\nThe two sides are expected to sign 16 agreements, while another two are still being negotiated. The deals include Hungarian infrastructural developments and railway, road and energy projects related to Beijing's top-priority Belt and Road Initiative.\u00a0 \n\nRenovation work is underway on the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, one of the symbols of China's economic expansion in Hungary: 85% of the investment is covered by Chinese loans.\u00a0 \n\nWith Hungary and Serbia's cooperation, the modernised railway meant to be a part of the planned Budapest\u2013Belgrade\u2013Skopje\u2013Athens railway would help Chinese goods reach Western Europe from the Greek China-run port of Piraeus faster than ever. \n\nThe railway has been sharply criticised since its inception. Earlier in 2023, questions were raised about whether the imported technology needed to operate it\u00a0complies with EU standards.\u00a0 \n\nOther critics have pointed out it bypasses all major Hungarian cities; the Chinese credit for its construction might take an entire century to pay back in full, while the investment return is under question.\u00a0 \n\nIt's (almost) all about the money \n\nPersonal interests also play a role in the huge investments, international relations and Hungarian politics expert\u00a0Csaba K\u00e1ncz told Euronews. \n\n\"In the case of Hungary, we are talking about the most corrupt member state of the EU. Just like with Russia, the Hungarian regime has entered into some sort of a 'strategic corruption' framework agreement [with China]. With Russians, we know that this is ... overpriced gas,\"\u00a0K\u00e1ncz said. \n\n\"With the Chinese, it's the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, from which the regime ... can take out several billion euros a year.\" \n\nAccording to K\u00e1ncz, it's not just about pure investment, and Xi is also visiting Europe as a security policy ally. \n\n\"Hungary has already become an official member of the so-called 'peace camp', the same peace camp from the 1950s [during the Cold War]. We are talking about revisionist, pro-war powers, Russia, China, Iran,\" he said. \n\n\"In practice, China has now become the 'alpha male' of the Eurasian axis. It is the dominant power, it has the money and technology and here it is on a visit to its new colony,\"\u00a0K\u00e1ncz concluded. \n\nMeanwhile, EU officials have already stated they are looking to limit China's economic aspirations in Europe.\u00a0 \n\nThe European Commission has launched an investigation into Chinese state subsidies for manufacturing electric vehicles and solar panels, accusing the Beijing leadership of distorting market competition. \n\nWatch the Euronews report on Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Hungary above. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Chinese president has arrived in Budapest late Wednesday, in the third and last stop of his European visit.<\/p>\n<p>During his three-day stay, Xi Jinping and his delegation are expected to conclude a series of economic agreements with Budapest, as\u00a0China sees Hungary as an important bridgehead in conquering European markets: among other things, Chinese companies are building electric car and battery factories.<\/p>\n<p>The two sides are expected to sign 16 agreements, while another two are still being negotiated. The deals include Hungarian infrastructural developments and railway, road and energy projects related to Beijing's top-priority Belt and Road Initiative.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Renovation work is underway on the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, one of the symbols of China's economic expansion in Hungary: 85% of the investment is covered by Chinese loans.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8272800,8258964\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//next//2024//02//22//faced-with-china-central-europes-automotive-sector-is-playing-catchup/">Faced with China, Central Europe\u2019s automotive sector is playing catchup<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//02//28//chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-is-bringing-new-risks-to-europe/">China's Belt and Road Initiative is bringing new risks to Europe<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>With Hungary and Serbia's cooperation, the modernised railway meant to be a part of the planned Budapest\u2013Belgrade\u2013Skopje\u2013Athens railway would help Chinese goods reach Western Europe from the Greek China-run port of Piraeus faster than ever.<\/p>\n<p>The railway has been sharply criticised since its inception. Earlier in 2023, questions were raised about whether the imported technology needed to operate it\u00a0complies with EU standards.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Other critics have pointed out it bypasses all major Hungarian cities; the Chinese credit for its construction might take an entire century to pay back in full, while the investment return is under question.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>It's (almost) all about the money<\/h2><p>Personal interests also play a role in the huge investments, international relations and Hungarian politics expert\u00a0Csaba K\u00e1ncz told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>\"In the case of Hungary, we are talking about the most corrupt member state of the EU. Just like with Russia, the Hungarian regime has entered into some sort of a 'strategic corruption' framework agreement [with China]. With Russians, we know that this is ... overpriced gas,\"\u00a0K\u00e1ncz said.<\/p>\n<p>\"With the Chinese, it's the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, from which the regime ... can take out several billion euros a year.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.66796875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//42//48//16//808x539_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg/" alt=\"Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, rear right, receives Chinese President Xi Jinping with military honours in the Lion Court of the Castle of Buda in Budapest, 9 May 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/384x257_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/640x428_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/750x501_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/828x553_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/1080x721_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/1200x802_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/1920x1283_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, rear right, receives Chinese President Xi Jinping with military honours in the Lion Court of the Castle of Buda in Budapest, 9 May 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Zoltan Mathe\/MTI via AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>According to K\u00e1ncz, it's not just about pure investment, and Xi is also visiting Europe as a security policy ally.<\/p>\n<p>\"Hungary has already become an official member of the so-called 'peace camp', the same peace camp from the 1950s [during the Cold War]. We are talking about revisionist, pro-war powers, Russia, China, Iran,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>\"In practice, China has now become the 'alpha male' of the Eurasian axis. It is the dominant power, it has the money and technology and here it is on a visit to its new colony,\"\u00a0K\u00e1ncz concluded.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8419682,8422060\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//05//07//why-is-the-chinese-president-visiting-serbia-and-hungary/">Chinese President Xi visits Serbia and Hungary in bid to boost economic ties <\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//05//08//what-is-former-iranian-leader-ahmadinejad-doing-in-a-secret-visit-to-budapest/">What is former Iranian leader Ahmadinejad doing on a secret trip to Budapest?<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, EU officials have already stated they are looking to limit China's economic aspirations in Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission has launched an investigation into Chinese state subsidies for manufacturing electric vehicles and solar panels, accusing the Beijing leadership of distorting market competition.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Watch the Euronews report on Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Hungary above.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1715241342,"updatedAt":1715273144,"publishedAt":1715273104,"firstPublishedAt":1715265066,"lastPublishedAt":1715273104,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Denes Erdos","altText":"People wave Chinese and Hungarian flags for the Chinese President Xi Jinping outside the Buda Castle in Budapest, 9 May 2024","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"People wave Chinese and Hungarian flags for the Chinese President Xi Jinping outside the Buda Castle in Budapest, 9 May 2024","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_246004a3-6508-5d83-932c-c64f4ed08baa-8424816.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Zoltan Mathe\/MTI via AP","altText":"Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, rear right, receives Chinese President Xi Jinping with military honours in the Lion Court of the Castle of Buda in Budapest, 9 May 2024","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, rear right, receives Chinese President Xi Jinping with military honours in the Lion Court of the Castle of Buda in Budapest, 9 May 2024","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_73a572a3-571d-5fac-afea-a966972a596f-8424816.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":684},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vivien Cher Benko\/MTI - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund","altText":"The two leaders shake hands","callToActionText":null,"width":4000,"caption":"The two leaders shake hands","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/48\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d56cb8ee-c77f-5306-8bb1-346ccb425ee8-8424822.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2667}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"china","titleRaw":"China","id":311,"title":"China","slug":"china"},{"urlSafeValue":"xi-jinping","titleRaw":"Xi Jinping","id":11408,"title":"Xi Jinping","slug":"xi-jinping"},{"urlSafeValue":"serbia","titleRaw":"Serbia","id":246,"title":"Serbia","slug":"serbia"},{"urlSafeValue":"hungarian-politics","titleRaw":"Hungarian politics","id":10533,"title":"Hungarian politics","slug":"hungarian-politics"},{"urlSafeValue":"european-union","titleRaw":"European Union","id":105,"title":"European 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ARRIVES HUNGARY","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Hungary, final stop of his European tour","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Hungary on European tour","titleListing2":"Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Hungary, his final stop of his European tour","leadin":"China's leader is anticipated to solidify several agreements with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, further cementing Beijing's economic presence in the region.","summary":"China's leader is anticipated to solidify several agreements with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, further cementing Beijing's economic presence in the region.","keySentence":"","url":"chinese-president-xi-jinping-arrives-in-hungary-final-stop-of-his-european-tour","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/05\/09\/chinese-president-xi-jinping-arrives-in-hungary-final-stop-of-his-european-tour","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hungary on Wednesday, marking the end of his five-day European tour.\u00a0 \n\nHis visit is set to solidify numerous agreements with Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, further strengthening China's regional economic influence.\u00a0 \n\nThis contrasts with the stance of other EU nations, which are seeking to reduce their reliance on the world's second-largest economy. \n\nDuring his stop in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen urged Xi Jinping to promote more balanced trade with Europe and use his influence on Russia to address the conflict in Ukraine. \n\nScheduled to spend two nights in Budapest, Xi will meet with Orb\u00e1n and Hungarian President Tam\u00e1s Sulyok to discuss potential Chinese investments in Hungary.\u00a0 \n\nDespite mainstream European leaders' protective measures against China, Budapest has actively pursued economic ties with Beijing. In addition to trade and investment, China offered cooperation on public security and law enforcement to Hungary, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency. \n\nOrb\u00e1n, known for his nationalist-populist politics, positioned Hungary as the first country in the EU bloc to engage in Xi's Belt and Road Initiative.\u00a0 \n\nBudapest's diplomatic and trade relations with autocratic governments outside the EU and NATO underscore its balancing act between regional alliances and economic partnerships, say observers.\u00a0 \n\nPrior to Xi's visit, Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 announced plans to sign at least 16 bilateral agreements, highlighting the historic significance of Xi's inaugural visit to Hungary as president.\u00a0 \n\nThe deals may entail Belt and Road expansion, potentially encompassing infrastructure and energy investments. \n\nSzijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 noted China was Hungary's biggest foreign investor in 2023.\u00a0 \n\nXi's arrival in Budapest follows his visit to Belgrade, where he concluded an agreement emphasizing a \"shared future\" with Serbia, another country perceived as friendly to Russia. \n\nWhile China claims neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, it has refrained from labelling Russia's actions as an invasion, facing criticism for allegedly enhancing Russia's military capabilities. \n\nHungary, despite condemning the invasion, has resisted EU sanctions against Moscow and abstained from providing military support to Kyiv. \n\nXi and Orb\u00e1n are expected to discuss the Ukraine crisis, given Hungary's proximity to the conflict zone.\u00a0 \n\nHungary has urged China to take a leading role in facilitating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, endorsing a peace plan proposed by China. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hungary on Wednesday, marking the end of his five-day European tour.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>His visit is set to solidify numerous agreements with Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, further strengthening China's regional economic influence.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This contrasts with the stance of other EU nations, which are seeking to reduce their reliance on the world's second-largest economy.<\/p>\n<p>During his stop in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen urged Xi Jinping to promote more balanced trade with Europe and use his influence on Russia to address the conflict in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Scheduled to spend two nights in Budapest, Xi will meet with Orb\u00e1n and Hungarian President Tam\u00e1s Sulyok to discuss potential Chinese investments in Hungary.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Despite mainstream European leaders' protective measures against China, Budapest has actively pursued economic ties with Beijing. In addition to trade and investment, China offered cooperation on public security and law enforcement to Hungary, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-euronews\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//embed//2395356/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Orb\u00e1n, known for his nationalist-populist politics, positioned Hungary as the first country in the EU bloc to engage in Xi's Belt and Road Initiative.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Budapest's diplomatic and trade relations with autocratic governments outside the EU and NATO underscore its balancing act between regional alliances and economic partnerships, say observers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Prior to Xi's visit, Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 announced plans to sign at least 16 bilateral agreements, highlighting the historic significance of Xi's inaugural visit to Hungary as president.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The deals may entail Belt and Road expansion, potentially encompassing infrastructure and energy investments.<\/p>\n<p>Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 noted China was Hungary's biggest foreign investor in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Xi's arrival in Budapest follows his visit to Belgrade, where he concluded an agreement emphasizing a \"shared future\" with Serbia, another country perceived as friendly to Russia.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8272800\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//02//28//chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-is-bringing-new-risks-to-europe/">China's Belt and Road Initiative is bringing new risks to Europe<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While China claims neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, it has refrained from labelling Russia's actions as an invasion, facing criticism for allegedly enhancing Russia's military capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary, despite condemning the invasion, has resisted EU sanctions against Moscow and abstained from providing military support to Kyiv.<\/p>\n<p>Xi and Orb\u00e1n are expected to discuss the Ukraine crisis, given Hungary's proximity to the conflict zone.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hungary has urged China to take a leading role in facilitating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, endorsing a peace plan proposed by China.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1715218243,"updatedAt":1715240269,"publishedAt":1715239456,"firstPublishedAt":1715239463,"lastPublishedAt":1715239456,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vivien Cher Benko\/MTI - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund","altText":"In this image provided by the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, shakes hands with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"In this image provided by the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, shakes hands with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/43\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_62c08e62-e4cf-5756-a19f-61fb490f5d0c-8424384.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vivien Cher Benko\/MTI - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund","altText":"In this image provided by the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center left, is received by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban,","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"In this image provided by the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center left, is received by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban,","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/43\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_125f2826-cea0-5bf7-91b1-c4e32e656a93-8424398.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"china","titleRaw":"China","id":311,"title":"China","slug":"china"},{"urlSafeValue":"xi-jinping","titleRaw":"Xi Jinping","id":11408,"title":"Xi Jinping","slug":"xi-jinping"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"},{"urlSafeValue":"eu-china","titleRaw":"EU-China","id":99,"title":"EU-China","slug":"eu-china"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"euronews"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2537816},{"id":2537502},{"id":2537052}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"jq_iv8ioOFs","dailymotionId":"x8y8j04"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":103000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":13103278,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/05\/09\/en\/240509_E3SU_55494506_55494566_103000_051745_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":103000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":19465390,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/05\/09\/en\/240509_E3SU_55494506_55494566_103000_051745_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe 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BALAZS ORBAN XI VISIT CHINA","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"It\u2019s time to take a step back from the brink of a divided world","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"It\u2019s time to take a step back from the brink of a divided world","titleListing2":"Opinion | We think that our vision of connectivity is essential for Europe\u2019s ability to become strong again \u2014 and that cooler heads will soon have a chance to prevail. During our presidency, we intend to show how, Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n writes.","leadin":"We think that our vision of connectivity is essential for Europe\u2019s ability to become strong again \u2014 and that cooler heads will soon have a chance to prevail. During our presidency, we intend to show how, Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n writes.","summary":"We think that our vision of connectivity is essential for Europe\u2019s ability to become strong again \u2014 and that cooler heads will soon have a chance to prevail. During our presidency, we intend to show how, Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n writes.","keySentence":"","url":"its-time-to-take-a-step-back-from-the-brink-of-a-divided-world","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/05\/08\/its-time-to-take-a-step-back-from-the-brink-of-a-divided-world","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Chinese President Xi Jinping\u2019s trip to Europe this week is his first visit to the continent since the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted exchanges between Europe and China, making President Xi\u2019s visit crucial in restoring links with European countries. \n\nThe first visit of a Chinese president in 20 years to Hungary also marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Hungary and China.\u00a0 \n\nOne might find it curious why Budapest has emerged as the only EU capital President Xi is visiting other than Paris.\u00a0 \n\nThe simple answer is that Hungary has transformed into a pivotal state for all concerned \u2014 a promoter of peace and national sovereignty, a leader of new industries, a crucial player in bridging East and West, and a gateway to the European Union. The Chinese president\u2019s choice reflects this fact. \n\nThis is what we mean by 'Hussar Cut' \n\nHungary's foreign policy strategy, centred on connectivity, is attracting global attention. \n\nWhile many nations across the world are closing in on themselves, Hungary stands out by actively cultivating ties with a wide array of countries and market players across various sectors, from trade to infrastructure, as well as cultural and scientific exchange. \n\nWe believe that this strategy is essential for escaping the middle-income trap and positioning ourselves to thrive in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. \n\nThis bold masterstroke, a \"Hussar Cut\" as we call it in Hungarian, appears to be paying off. Since 2010, the Hungarian government has transformed the economy into an open, export-oriented model capable of robust growth. \n\nThis has resulted in a remarkable 38% increase in GDP per capita over the past 13 years.\u00a0 \n\nOur efforts have propelled Hungary from the 23rd to the 11th most complex economy according to the Harvard Economic Complexity Index, boasting a highly diversified export portfolio.\u00a0 \n\nAdditionally, we've fostered a work-based society with record-low unemployment, complemented by a flat-rate income tax of 15% and a corporate tax rate of just 9%. \n\nIt's all about best technology, globally \n\nHungary has been focused on bolstering domestic companies such as MOL, Richter, OTP Bank, and 4iG to help them emerge as dominant regional players.\u00a0 \n\nOur efforts to expand energy connections, repurchase the Budapest Airport, renovate the Budapest-Belgrade railway and establish a port in Trieste capable of handling 2.5 million tonnes of goods a year further our commitment to enhanced connectivity across all fronts.\u00a0 \n\nForeign Direct Investment (FDI) in Hungary has nearly doubled since 2010, with a more geographically diverse investor base. Last year, compared to 2010, the share of Asian investors surged from 19% to 34%. Meanwhile, European investments accounted for 56%. \n\nWe actively encourage foreign companies to establish headquarters here, as we aim to make Hungary a regional hub and a global meeting point. Alongside this, we invest significantly in culture and sport relative to GDP, outstripping European averages. \n\nOn the industrial front, Hungary seeks to strengthen its military, information technology, energy, and banking sectors while also emphasising the development of industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and automotive\u00a0\u2014 all pivotal for global connectivity. \n\nAs part of our strategy, we seek to partner with countries and companies that offer the best technology globally, which is why China is a natural partner for us. Hungary\u2019s strength is growing, particularly in the electric vehicle sector.\u00a0 \n\nBYD, China\u2019s top electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced plans to build its first European passenger car facility in Hungary, which is a direct result of building strategic partnerships over the years. In doing so, we\u2019re betting against the current trends toward decoupling and de-risking. \n\nEurope\u2019s place in this increased global competition is under threat. In recent years, European GDP growth has lagged in both the Us and China. Europe\u2019s import dependency is five times higher than that of the North American continent, according to the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, and decoupling would come at a very high cost.\u00a0 \n\nKeep cool, calm and connected \n\nIn this situation, Europe must also recognise that the evolving geopolitical environment requires a strategy of prudent connectivity. When global tensions between China and the US arise, Europe\u2019s open economic framework will pay the price. \n\nThe increasing logic of bloc formation we witness today poses a number of clear dangers.\u00a0 \n\nFrom our perspective in Budapest, these dangers include the worsening of existing dependences, the loss of our sovereignty, economic decline, consignment to the geopolitical periphery, and exposure to conflicts affecting all bloc members. \n\nOur proposed solution is for Hungary to become a keystone state \u2014 a pivotal hub in the interconnected global landscape. By doing so, we can mitigate one-way dependencies, safeguard our sovereignty, ensure economic prosperity, and maintain internal and external security.\u00a0\u00a0 \n\nDoing so is crucial not only for our sovereignty but also for the success of the region and of Europe as a whole. \n\nIn the second half of this year, Hungary will exercise the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.\u00a0 \n\nWe think that our vision of connectivity is essential for Europe\u2019s ability to become strong again \u2014 and that cooler heads will soon have a chance to prevail. During our presidency, we intend to show how.\u00a0 \n\nIt\u2019s time to take a step back from the brink of a divided world. In Hungary, we are already reaping the benefits. \n\nBal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n is a member of the Hungarian parliament and political director for Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n. \n\nAt Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping\u2019s trip to Europe this week is his first visit to the continent since the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted exchanges between Europe and China, making President Xi\u2019s visit crucial in restoring links with European countries.<\/p>\n<p>The first visit of a Chinese president in 20 years to Hungary also marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Hungary and China.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>One might find it curious why Budapest has emerged as the only EU capital President Xi is visiting other than Paris.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The simple answer is that Hungary has transformed into a pivotal state for all concerned \u2014 a promoter of peace and national sovereignty, a leader of new industries, a crucial player in bridging East and West, and a gateway to the European Union. The Chinese president\u2019s choice reflects this fact.<\/p>\n<h2>This is what we mean by 'Hussar Cut'<\/h2><p>Hungary's foreign policy strategy, centred on connectivity, is attracting global attention.<\/p>\n<p>While many nations across the world are closing in on themselves, Hungary stands out by actively cultivating ties with a wide array of countries and market players across various sectors, from trade to infrastructure, as well as cultural and scientific exchange.<\/p>\n<p>We believe that this strategy is essential for escaping the middle-income trap and positioning ourselves to thrive in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Hungary has nearly doubled since 2010, with a more geographically diverse investor base. Last year, compared to 2010, the share of Asian investors surged from 19% to 34%. Meanwhile, European investments accounted for 56%.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.74609375\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//42//35//46//808x603_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg/" alt=\"Visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang review an honour guard during a welcome ceremony in Beijing, October 2023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/384x287_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/640x478_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/750x560_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/828x618_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/1080x806_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/1200x895_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/1920x1433_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang review an honour guard during a welcome ceremony in Beijing, October 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Liu Bin\/Xinhua via AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This bold masterstroke, a \"Hussar Cut\" as we call it in Hungarian, appears to be paying off. Since 2010, the Hungarian government has transformed the economy into an open, export-oriented model capable of robust growth.<\/p>\n<p>This has resulted in a remarkable 38% increase in GDP per capita over the past 13 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7752408,8419682\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//05//07//why-is-the-chinese-president-visiting-serbia-and-hungary/">Chinese President Xi visits Serbia and Hungary in bid to boost economic ties <\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//14//the-true-strength-of-the-european-union-lies-in-its-diversity-of-opinions/">The true strength of the European Union lies in its diversity of opinions<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Our efforts have propelled Hungary from the 23rd to the 11th most complex economy according to the Harvard Economic Complexity Index, boasting a highly diversified export portfolio.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, we've fostered a work-based society with record-low unemployment, complemented by a flat-rate income tax of 15% and a corporate tax rate of just 9%.<\/p>\n<h2>It's all about best technology, globally<\/h2><p>Hungary has been focused on bolstering domestic companies such as MOL, Richter, OTP Bank, and 4iG to help them emerge as dominant regional players.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Our efforts to expand energy connections, repurchase the Budapest Airport, renovate the Budapest-Belgrade railway and establish a port in Trieste capable of handling 2.5 million tonnes of goods a year further our commitment to enhanced connectivity across all fronts.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Hungary has nearly doubled since 2010, with a more geographically diverse investor base. Last year, compared to 2010, the share of Asian investors surged from 19% to 34%. Meanwhile, European investments accounted for 56%.<\/p>\n<p>We actively encourage foreign companies to establish headquarters here, as we aim to make Hungary a regional hub and a global meeting point. Alongside this, we invest significantly in culture and sport relative to GDP, outstripping European averages.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">As part of our strategy, we seek to partner with countries and companies that offer the best technology globally, which is why China is a natural partner for us. Hungary\u2019s strength is growing, particularly in the electric vehicle sector.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//14//77//64//808x539_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg/" alt=\"The wheels of an electric car of Chinese car maker BYD is on display at the Essen Motor Show in Essen, December 2023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/14\/77\/64\/384x256_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/14\/77\/64\/640x427_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/14\/77\/64\/750x500_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/14\/77\/64\/828x552_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/14\/77\/64\/1080x720_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/14\/77\/64\/1200x800_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/14\/77\/64\/1920x1281_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The wheels of an electric car of Chinese car maker BYD is on display at the Essen Motor Show in Essen, December 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Martin Meissner<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On the industrial front, Hungary seeks to strengthen its military, information technology, energy, and banking sectors while also emphasising the development of industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and automotive\u00a0\u2014 all pivotal for global connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>As part of our strategy, we seek to partner with countries and companies that offer the best technology globally, which is why China is a natural partner for us. Hungary\u2019s strength is growing, particularly in the electric vehicle sector.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>BYD, China\u2019s top electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced plans to build its first European passenger car facility in Hungary, which is a direct result of building strategic partnerships over the years. In doing so, we\u2019re betting against the current trends toward decoupling and de-risking.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8420506,8413550\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//05//06//china-president-vists-france-serbia-and-hungary-what-is-at-stake/">China president visits France, Serbia and Hungary: What is at stake?<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2024//05//08//eu-china-relations-the-economic-challenges-yet-to-be-resolved/">EU-China relations: The economic challenges yet to be resolved<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Europe\u2019s place in this increased global competition is under threat. In recent years, European GDP growth has lagged in both the Us and China. Europe\u2019s import dependency is five times higher than that of the North American continent, according to the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, and decoupling would come at a very high cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Keep cool, calm and connected<\/h2><p>In this situation, Europe must also recognise that the evolving geopolitical environment requires a strategy of prudent connectivity. When global tensions between China and the US arise, Europe\u2019s open economic framework will pay the price.<\/p>\n<p>The increasing logic of bloc formation we witness today poses a number of clear dangers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>From our perspective in Budapest, these dangers include the worsening of existing dependences, the loss of our sovereignty, economic decline, consignment to the geopolitical periphery, and exposure to conflicts affecting all bloc members.<\/p>\n<p>Our proposed solution is for Hungary to become a keystone state \u2014 a pivotal hub in the interconnected global landscape. By doing so, we can mitigate one-way dependencies, safeguard our sovereignty, ensure economic prosperity, and maintain internal and external security.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Doing so is crucial not only for our sovereignty but also for the success of the region and of Europe as a whole.<\/p>\n<p>In the second half of this year, Hungary will exercise the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We think that our vision of connectivity is essential for Europe\u2019s ability to become strong again \u2014 and that cooler heads will soon have a chance to prevail. During our presidency, we intend to show how.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time to take a step back from the brink of a divided world. In Hungary, we are already reaping the benefits.<\/p>\n<p><em>Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n is a member of the Hungarian parliament and political director for Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at <a href=https://www.euronews.com/news/europe/\"mailto:view@euronews.com\">view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1715177127,"updatedAt":1715183601,"publishedAt":1715183597,"firstPublishedAt":1715183601,"lastPublishedAt":1715183597,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_51fb0077-7793-5a4b-93d5-76e4adaec428-8423546.jpg","altText":"A Chinese national flag with the Buda Castle in the background waves in Budapest, May 2024","caption":"A Chinese national flag with the Buda Castle in the background waves in Budapest, May 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/35\/46\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b86fd406-3150-5c17-99b8-0fe3e31ba16c-8423546.jpg","altText":"Visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang review an honour guard during a welcome ceremony in Beijing, October 2023","caption":"Visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang review an honour guard during a welcome ceremony in Beijing, October 2023","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Liu Bin\/Xinhua via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":764},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/14\/77\/64\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c152fd17-ee44-5e3e-949e-69d53ad07621-8147764.jpg","altText":"The wheels of an electric car of Chinese car maker BYD is on display at the Essen Motor Show in Essen, December 2023","caption":"The wheels of an electric car of Chinese car maker BYD is on display at the Essen Motor Show in Essen, December 2023","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Martin Meissner","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28666,"slug":"hungarian-economy","urlSafeValue":"hungarian-economy","title":"Hungarian economy","titleRaw":"Hungarian economy"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":99,"slug":"eu-china","urlSafeValue":"eu-china","title":"EU-China","titleRaw":"EU-China"},{"id":11408,"slug":"xi-jinping","urlSafeValue":"xi-jinping","title":"Xi Jinping","titleRaw":"Xi Jinping"},{"id":22480,"slug":"euroviews","urlSafeValue":"euroviews","title":"Euroviews","titleRaw":"Euroviews"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"quotation","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world 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SECRET VISIT IN HUNGARY","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"What is former Iranian leader Ahmadinejad doing on a secret trip to Budapest?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"What is former Iranian leader doing on a secret trip to Budapest?","titleListing2":"What is former Iranian leader Ahmadinejad doing in a secret visit to Budapest?","leadin":"In a statement to Euronews, the Israeli Embassy in Hungary has slammed the move to invite the Holocaust-denying Iranian ex-president to speak at a Budapest university.","summary":"In a statement to Euronews, the Israeli Embassy in Hungary has slammed the move to invite the Holocaust-denying Iranian ex-president to speak at a Budapest university.","keySentence":"","url":"what-is-former-iranian-leader-ahmadinejad-doing-in-a-secret-visit-to-budapest","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/05\/08\/what-is-former-iranian-leader-ahmadinejad-doing-in-a-secret-visit-to-budapest","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Former Iranian President\u00a0Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's guest lecture at a Hungarian university has sparked condemnation from the\u00a0Israeli Embassy in Budapest and the country's Jewish community alike. \n\nAhmadinejad, who is known for his hostility to Israel and Holocaust denial, is to\u00a0hold two lectures at the\u00a0National University of Public Service\u00a0(Nemzeti K\u00f6zszolg\u00e1lati Egyetem, or\u00a0NKE) on Tuesday and Wednesday at the invitation of its dean, Gergely Deli. \n\nAccording to Iranian newspapers , NKE invited the politician to a scientific meeting on \"common values \u200b\u200bin the global environment\". \n\nPersian outlet Hammihan noted that Ahmadinejad is set to speak as a \"special guest\" on the importance of dealing with threats against the environment. The meeting is expected to be closed, as it is not advertised on NKE's website . \n\nIn the meantime, images of Ahmadinejad together with Deli in Budapest have appeared on Iranian social media accounts. \n\nEuronews broke the story on Tuesday and tried to contact the university about Ahmadinejad's visit but was met with silence.\u00a0 \n\nNKE's press office stated it did not wish to make any comments. Additionally, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs\u00a0did not respond to requests for comment. \n\nVisit 'seriously offends'\u00a0Hungarian Jewish community \n\nMeanwhile, the Embassy of Israel in Hungary reacted to the news, stating his visit to Budapest was an insult to \"the memory of the victims\".\u00a0 \n\nIn a statement to Euronews, it said that Ahmadinejad's visit \"seriously offends and tramples on the memory of the approximately 600,000 Hungarian Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust\". \n\nAccording to the statement, \u200b\u200bthe former Iranian president is \"a self-proclaimed Holocaust denier who is directly responsible for the events that ridicule, belittle and question the Holocaust and its victims,\" a reference to the two-day \"Review of the Holocaust: Global Vision\" conference, held in Tehran in 2006. \n\nThey also point out that as Iranian president, Ahmadinejad regularly called for the destruction of Israel.\u00a0 \n\nThe Association of Hungarian Jewish Congregations, Mazsihisz, also criticised the invitation to\u00a0Ahmadinejad.\u00a0 \n\nThe association said in a statement it was incomprehensible that the management of the\u00a0National University of Public Service\u00a0\"allowed Ahmadinejad, who is anti-Semitic to the core, to hold a lecture at one of Hungary's elite universities.\" \n\n\"It is not only outrageous but also painful that the former Iranian president is in Budapest on the very days when the Hungarian Jewish community remembers the victims of [the Holocaust] 80 years ago in this country and Auschwitz.\" \n\n\"Ahmadinejad's reception in Budapest deeply offends the Hungarian Jewish community, which mourns its murdered dead,\" the statement added. \n\nMazsihisz called for an apology from \"the leadership of the NKE\" to the \"offended Hungarian Jewish community,\" and demanded that the Hungarian government \"explain how, in light of the excellent Hungarian-Israeli relations and the government's policy of supporting the Hungarian Jewish community, Ahmadinejad's visit to Hungary could have happened.\" \n\nHolocaust denial \n\nAhmadinejad, who was president of the Islamic Republic from 2005-2013, is not known as an environmentalist but rather for his extreme Islamist, anti-US, Israel and\u00a0 Holocaust-denying views . \n\nHe was one of the proponents of Iran's nuclear program and banned UN inspectors from visiting the country's nuclear facilities.\u00a0 \n\nDuring his presidency, the situation of human rights and minorities in Iran also deteriorated dramatically. \n\nIn 2005, in a speech praising Iranian Islamic revolutionary Ayatollah Khomeini, who served as the first supreme leader of Iran from 1979, Ahmadinejad announced that \"Israel must be wiped off the map\".\u00a0 \n\nHe repeatedly called the Holocaust a \"myth\" that was fabricated just so that Jewish people could create their own state. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Former Iranian President\u00a0Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's guest lecture at a Hungarian university has sparked condemnation from the\u00a0Israeli Embassy in Budapest and the country's Jewish community alike.<\/p>\n<p>Ahmadinejad, who is known for his hostility to Israel and Holocaust denial, is to\u00a0hold two lectures at the\u00a0National University of Public Service\u00a0(Nemzeti K\u00f6zszolg\u00e1lati Egyetem, or\u00a0NKE) on Tuesday and Wednesday at the invitation of its dean, Gergely Deli.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////hammihanonline.ir//بخش-سیاست-18//15742-سفر-احمدی-نژاد-به-مجارستان/">Iranian newspapers<\/strong><\/a>, NKE invited the politician to a scientific meeting on \"common values \u200b\u200bin the global environment\".<\/p>\n<p>Persian outlet Hammihan noted that Ahmadinejad is set to speak as a \"special guest\" on the importance of dealing with threats against the environment. The meeting is expected to be closed, as it is not advertised on <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.uni-nke.hu///">NKE's website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, images of Ahmadinejad together with Deli in Budapest have appeared on Iranian social media accounts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1787878978708980081\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Euronews broke the story on Tuesday and tried to contact the university about Ahmadinejad's visit but was met with silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>NKE's press office stated it did not wish to make any comments. Additionally, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs\u00a0did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n<h3>Visit 'seriously offends'\u00a0Hungarian Jewish community<\/h3><p>Meanwhile, the Embassy of Israel in Hungary reacted to the news, stating his visit to Budapest was an insult to \"the memory of the victims\".\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In a statement to Euronews, it said that Ahmadinejad's visit \"seriously offends and tramples on the memory of the approximately 600,000 Hungarian Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust\".<\/p>\n<p>According to the statement, \u200b\u200bthe former Iranian president is \"a self-proclaimed Holocaust denier who is directly responsible for the events that ridicule, belittle and question the Holocaust and its victims,\" a reference to the two-day \"Review of the Holocaust: Global Vision\" conference, held in Tehran in 2006.<\/p>\n<p>They also point out that as Iranian president, Ahmadinejad regularly called for the destruction of Israel.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6728515625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//42//20//60//808x542_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg/" alt=\"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reviews Basij paramilitary volunteers at a parade ceremony in Tehran, 26 November 2006\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/384x258_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/640x431_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/750x505_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/828x557_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/1080x727_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/1200x807_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/1920x1292_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reviews Basij paramilitary volunteers at a parade ceremony in Tehran, 26 November 2006<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Association of Hungarian Jewish Congregations, Mazsihisz, also criticised the invitation to\u00a0Ahmadinejad.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The association said in a statement it was incomprehensible that the management of the\u00a0National University of Public Service\u00a0\"allowed Ahmadinejad, who is anti-Semitic to the core, to hold a lecture at one of Hungary's elite universities.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"It is not only outrageous but also painful that the former Iranian president is in Budapest on the very days when the Hungarian Jewish community remembers the victims of [the Holocaust] 80 years ago in this country and Auschwitz.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Ahmadinejad's reception in Budapest deeply offends the Hungarian Jewish community, which mourns its murdered dead,\" the statement added.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8372174,8372632\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//04//14//revenge-geopolitics-and-ideology-why-did-iran-attack-israel/">Revenge, geopolitics and ideology: Why did Iran attack Israel?<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//04//14//criticism-and-concern-how-the-israel-attack-is-viewed-in-iran/">Something to celebrate? How is the Israel attack viewed in Iran?<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Mazsihisz called for an apology from \"the leadership of the NKE\" to the \"offended Hungarian Jewish community,\" and demanded that the Hungarian government \"explain how, in light of the excellent Hungarian-Israeli relations and the government's policy of supporting the Hungarian Jewish community, Ahmadinejad's visit to Hungary could have happened.\"<\/p>\n<h3>Holocaust denial<\/h3><p>Ahmadinejad, who was president of the Islamic Republic from 2005-2013, is not known as an environmentalist but rather for his extreme Islamist, anti-US, Israel and\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////encyclopedia.ushmm.org//content//hu//article//holocaust-denial-key-dates/">Holocaust-denying views<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>He was one of the proponents of Iran's nuclear program and banned UN inspectors from visiting the country's nuclear facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>During his presidency, the situation of human rights and minorities in Iran also deteriorated dramatically.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-youtube-embed\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//embed//ITy8nGZmQ_g/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In 2005, in a speech praising Iranian Islamic revolutionary Ayatollah Khomeini, who served as the first supreme leader of Iran from 1979, Ahmadinejad announced that \"Israel must be wiped off the map\".\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He repeatedly called the Holocaust a \"myth\" that was fabricated just so that Jewish people could create their own state.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1715145780,"updatedAt":1715178329,"publishedAt":1715156666,"firstPublishedAt":1715156671,"lastPublishedAt":1715156666,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Richard Drew \/ AP","altText":"Sept. 23, 2010 file photo, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, holds up a copies of the Quran, left, and Bible, right, as he addresses the 65th session of the UN","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Sept. 23, 2010 file photo, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, holds up a copies of the Quran, left, and Bible, right, as he addresses the 65th session of the UN","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1c3d63ee-e4cf-5ea8-a96b-df78acd05128-8422060.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi","altText":"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reviews Basij paramilitary volunteers at a parade ceremony in Tehran, 26 November 2006","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reviews Basij paramilitary volunteers at a parade ceremony in Tehran, 26 November 2006","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f523aa23-84d2-5322-b6e4-5ce16509acdb-8422060.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":689},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Richard Drew\/Copyright 2018 The AP. All rights reserved.","altText":"Sept. 23, 2010 file photo, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, holds up a copies of the Quran, left, and Bible, right, as he addresses the 65th session of the UN","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Sept. 23, 2010 file photo, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, holds up a copies of the Quran, left, and Bible, right, as he addresses the 65th session of the UN","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/42\/20\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7aba2f75-d716-5c54-b5bc-69acf32185d2-8422060.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":801}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"mahmoud-ahmadinejad","titleRaw":"Mahmoud Ahmadinejad","id":7853,"title":"Mahmoud 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PROTEST","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Orb\u00e1n challenger in Hungary mobilises thousands at demonstration","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Orb\u00e1n challenger in Hungary mobilises thousands at demonstration","titleListing2":"Orb\u00e1n challenger in Hungary mobilises thousands at demonstration","leadin":"P\u00e9ter Magyar has promised to bring an end to governmental corruption and a declining quality of life in the Central European country.","summary":"P\u00e9ter Magyar has promised to bring an end to governmental corruption and a declining quality of life in the Central European country.","keySentence":"","url":"orban-challenger-in-hungary-mobilises-thousands-at-demonstration","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/05\/06\/orban-challenger-in-hungary-mobilises-thousands-at-demonstration","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A rising challenger to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n held what he called the largest countryside political demonstration in the country\u2019s recent history on Sunday. \n\nAbout 10,000 people gathered in Debrecen, Hungary\u2019s second-largest city, in support of P\u00e9ter Magyar, a political newcomer who in less than three months has shot to prominence. \n\n\u201cToday, the vast majority of the Hungarian people are tired of the ruling elite, of the hatred, apathy, propaganda and artificial divides,\u201d Magyar told the crowd. \u201cHungarians today want cooperation, love, unity and peace.\u201d \n\nMagyar, a former insider within Hungary\u2019s ruling Fidesz party, has since February denounced the nationalist Orb\u00e1n as running an entrenched \u201cmafia state,\u201d and declared war on what he calls a propaganda machine run by the government. \n\nHis party, TISZA (Respect and Freedom), has announced it will run 12 candidates in the European Union elections , with Magyar appearing first on the party list. TISZA has also announced it will run four candidates in local council elections in the capital Budapest. \n\nHis appearance on Sunday in Debrecen, a stronghold of Orb\u00e1n\u2019s ruling Fidesz party, reflected the focus his fledgling campaign has placed on the Hungarian countryside, where Orb\u00e1n is popular. \n\nThe Mother\u2019s Day event was the latest stop on a tour of the country where Magyar has appeared in dozens of cities, towns and villages, often drawing thousands of supporters \u2014 numbers that few Orb\u00e1n opponents have ever been able to mobilise in rural areas. \n\nRecent polls show that Magyar\u2019s party may have become the largest opposition force little more than a month before the election. Pollster Median this week measured TISZA at 25% among certain voters, with Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Fidesz well ahead at 45%. \n\nOrb\u00e1n and has party have ruled Hungary with a constitutional majority since 2010. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>A rising challenger to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n held what he called the largest countryside political demonstration in the country\u2019s recent history on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>About 10,000 people gathered in Debrecen, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//hungary/">Hungary/u2019s second-largest city, in support of P\u00e9ter Magyar, a political newcomer who in less than three months has shot to prominence.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday, the vast majority of the Hungarian people are tired of the ruling elite, of the hatred, apathy, propaganda and artificial divides,\u201d Magyar told the crowd. \u201cHungarians today want cooperation, love, unity and peace.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Magyar, a former insider within Hungary\u2019s ruling Fidesz party, has since February denounced the nationalist Orb\u00e1n as running an entrenched \u201cmafia state,\u201d and declared war on what he calls a propaganda machine run by the government.<\/p>\n<p>His party, TISZA (Respect and Freedom), has announced it will run 12 candidates in the European Union <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//04//21//official-election-campaign-underway-in-hungary/">elections, with Magyar appearing first on the party list. TISZA has also announced it will run four candidates in local council elections in the capital Budapest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//41//69//12//808x539_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg/" alt=\"People listen to P\u00e9ter Magyar's speech at a campaign rally in the rural city of Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, May 5, 2024.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/384x256_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/640x427_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/750x500_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/828x552_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/1080x720_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/1200x800_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/1920x1281_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People listen to P\u00e9ter Magyar's speech at a campaign rally in the rural city of Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, May 5, 2024.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>His appearance on Sunday in Debrecen, a stronghold of Orb\u00e1n\u2019s ruling Fidesz party, reflected the focus his fledgling campaign has placed on the Hungarian countryside, where Orb\u00e1n is popular.<\/p>\n<p>The Mother\u2019s Day event was the latest stop on a tour of the country where Magyar has appeared in dozens of cities, towns and villages, often drawing thousands of supporters \u2014 numbers that few Orb\u00e1n opponents have ever been able to mobilise in rural areas.<\/p>\n<p>Recent polls show that Magyar\u2019s party may have become the largest opposition force little more than a month before the election. Pollster Median this week measured TISZA at 25% among certain voters, with Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Fidesz well ahead at 45%.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n and has party have ruled Hungary with a constitutional majority since 2010.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1714931486,"updatedAt":1714979425,"publishedAt":1714965677,"firstPublishedAt":1714965680,"lastPublishedAt":1714979425,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP","altText":"P\u00e9ter Magyar, a rising challenger to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, addresses people at a campaign rally in the rural city of Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, May 5, 2024","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"P\u00e9ter Magyar, a rising challenger to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, addresses people at a campaign rally in the rural city of Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, May 5, 2024","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f3b2a52b-15d5-5bd9-b633-8e57d3759d5e-8416912.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP","altText":"People listen to P\u00e9ter Magyar's speech at a campaign rally in the rural city of Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, May 5, 2024.","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"People listen to P\u00e9ter Magyar's speech at a campaign rally in the rural city of Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, May 5, 2024.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/69\/12\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ed4563de-ec06-562e-93b0-381d958ca618-8416912.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"},{"urlSafeValue":"peter-magyar","titleRaw":"Peter Magyar","id":29688,"title":"Peter Magyar","slug":"peter-magyar"},{"urlSafeValue":"european-elections-2024","titleRaw":"European elections 2024","id":29340,"title":"European elections 2024","slug":"european-elections-2024"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2534760},{"id":2527206},{"id":2526244}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"GC74KJnG9-0","dailymotionId":"x8y29xq"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":65000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":8472412,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/05\/05\/en\/240505_NWSU_55465472_55465538_65000_205551_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":65000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":12442972,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/05\/05\/en\/240505_NWSU_55465472_55465538_65000_205551_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world 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ORBAN SPEECH","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Fact-check: What did Orb\u00e1n claim in his European election speech?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Fact-check: What did Orb\u00e1n claim in his European election speech?","titleListing2":"Fact check: What did Orb\u00e1n claim in his European election speech?","leadin":"Hungary's prime minister made a range of claims about the state of the country's economy and its position in the Ukraine war while launching his party's European manifesto. The Cube takes a closer at the speech.","summary":"Hungary's prime minister made a range of claims about the state of the country's economy and its position in the Ukraine war while launching his party's European manifesto. The Cube takes a closer at the speech.","keySentence":"","url":"viktor-orbans-european-election-speech-fact-checked","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/05\/03\/viktor-orbans-european-election-speech-fact-checked","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"With the European elections just around the corner, Hungary\u2019s Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n recently gave a speech launching the manifesto of his right-wing populist party Fidesz.\n\nThe speech is full of claims that Fidesz has significantly improved Hungary\u2019s economy and prevented the country from being dragged into Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine.\n\nThe Cube took a look at some of the biggest claims to see if they were true.\n\nClaim: Fidesz put Hungary's economy back on its feet after it was bankrupted by the left\n\nThis isn\u2019t true: Hungary didn\u2019t go bankrupt in 2009, the final year of former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcs\u00e1ny.\n\nThe so-called Clean Hand Commission, convened after Orb\u00e1n\u2019s 2010 election victory, couldn\u2019t find any substantial evidence of financial misconduct either.\n\nClaim: One million more people are working in Hungary today and wages have tripled\n\nThere are indeed one million more people in work in Hungary than there were before.\n\nHowever, L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Csaba, professor of international political economy at the Central European University in Vienna,\u00a0told The Cube the value of Hungary\u2019s GDP in euros is barely above what it was a decade ago.\n\n\"In economic terms, factor productivity has not increased, thus the catchup to the EU average has not materialised,\" he said. \"We are in a middle-income trap.\"\n\nWhile it's also true that Fidesz has more than tripled the minimum wage and boosted the average wage by almost three times since coming to power, Csaba noted that this mostly occurred during election years, particularly in 2022.\n\nClaim: Hungary's economy has almost doubled in 14 years\n\nThis is true in nominal terms but doesn\u2019t reflect the relative changes over time.\n\nAccording to Eurostat, Hungary is among the lowest EU member states by actual individual consumption per capita, sitting at 28 per cent below the EU average.\n\nCsaba said that the figures \"aren't very impressive\", adding that government analysts have been working on alternative indicators to try and suggest that the country is better off than it is.\n\nClaim: Thanks to Fidesz, Hungary has stayed out of Russia's war in Ukraine, and 'Brussels bureaucrats' are funding Budapest's pro-war left\n\nThere is no such thing as a \u2018pro-war left\u2019 in Hungary, as all parties are against the conflict,\u00a0Zsolt Enyedi, professor of political science at the Central European University in Vienna, told The Cube.\n\nThough he noted western organisations had helped finance Hungarian opposition parties, to reduce disparities between their spending and that of Fidesz.\n\n\"Fidesz itself received much support in the past from the likes of the Adenauer Foundation,\" Enyedi added.\n\nHe also said it was \"nonsensical\" to suggest that Fidesz has kept Hungary out of the war, as only two parties are involved in the conflict: Russia and Ukraine.\n\nClaim: European leaders are a step away from sending troops to Ukraine\n\nFrench President Emmanuel Macron has indeed raised the possibility of NATO soldiers assisting Kyiv in some form.\n\nPoland\u2019s President Andrzej Duda has also suggested his country could host nuclear weapons.\n\nBut even if this happened, most experts agree it wouldn\u2019t mean war was one step away, according to Enyedi.\n\n\"It is particularly funny that Orb\u00e1n portrays the anti-Russian positions as being part of a leftist-progressive package,\" he added. \"Macron and Duda are not leftist politicians, most of the European right is anti-Putin.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>With the European elections just around the corner, Hungary\u2019s Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n recently gave a speech launching the manifesto of his right-wing populist party Fidesz.<\/p>\n<p>The speech is full of claims that Fidesz has significantly improved Hungary\u2019s economy and prevented the country from being dragged into Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>The Cube took a look at some of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////miniszterelnok.hu//en//speech-by-prime-minister-viktor-orban-at-the-presentation-of-the-fidesz-hungarian-civic-alliance-election-manifesto///">biggest claims<\/strong><\/a> to see if they were true.<\/p>\n<h2>Claim: Fidesz put Hungary's economy back on its feet after it was bankrupted by the left<\/h2><p>This isn\u2019t true: Hungary didn\u2019t go bankrupt in 2009, the final year of former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcs\u00e1ny.<\/p>\n<p>The so-called Clean Hand Commission, convened after Orb\u00e1n\u2019s 2010 election victory, couldn\u2019t find any substantial evidence of financial misconduct either.<\/p>\n<h2>Claim: One million more people are working in Hungary today and wages have tripled<\/h2><p>There are indeed one million more people in work in Hungary than there were before.<\/p>\n<p>However, L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Csaba, professor of international political economy at the Central European University in Vienna,\u00a0told The Cube the value of Hungary\u2019s GDP in euros is barely above what it was a decade ago.<\/p>\n<p>\"In economic terms, factor productivity has not increased, thus the catchup to the EU average has not materialised,\" he said. \"We are in a middle-income trap.\"<\/p>\n<p>While it's also true that Fidesz has more than tripled the minimum wage and boosted the average wage by almost three times since coming to power, Csaba noted that this mostly occurred during election years, particularly in 2022.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8388826,8364610\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//04//23//european-elections-top-tips-to-avoid-misinformation/">European elections: Top tips to avoid misinformation<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//next//2024//04//16//fact-check-is-the-eu-digital-identity-wallet-going-to-strip-away-our-privacy/">Fact-check: Is the EU digital identity wallet going to strip away our privacy?<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Claim: Hungary's economy has almost doubled in 14 years<\/h2><p>This is true in nominal terms but doesn\u2019t reflect the relative changes over time.<\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////ec.europa.eu//eurostat//web//products-eurostat-news//w//ddn-20230620-2/">According to Eurostat<\/strong><\/a>, Hungary is among the lowest EU member states by actual individual consumption per capita, sitting at 28 per cent below the EU average.<\/p>\n<p>Csaba said that the figures \"aren't very impressive\", adding that government analysts have been working on alternative indicators to try and suggest that the country is better off than it is.<\/p>\n<h2>Claim: Thanks to Fidesz, Hungary has stayed out of Russia's war in Ukraine, and 'Brussels bureaucrats' are funding Budapest's pro-war left<\/h2><p>There is no such thing as a \u2018pro-war left\u2019 in Hungary, as all parties are against the conflict,\u00a0Zsolt Enyedi, professor of political science at the Central European University in Vienna, told The Cube.<\/p>\n<p>Though he noted western organisations had helped finance Hungarian opposition parties, to reduce disparities between their spending and that of Fidesz.<\/p>\n<p>\"Fidesz itself received much support in the past from the likes of the Adenauer Foundation,\" Enyedi added.<\/p>\n<p>He also said it was \"nonsensical\" to suggest that Fidesz has kept Hungary out of the war, as only two parties are involved in the conflict: Russia and Ukraine.<\/p>\n<h2>Claim: European leaders are a step away from sending troops to Ukraine<\/h2><p>French President Emmanuel Macron has indeed raised the possibility of NATO soldiers assisting Kyiv in some form.<\/p>\n<p>Poland\u2019s President Andrzej Duda has also suggested his country could host nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n<p>But even if this happened, most experts agree it wouldn\u2019t mean war was one step away, according to Enyedi.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is particularly funny that Orb\u00e1n portrays the anti-Russian positions as being part of a leftist-progressive package,\" he added. \"Macron and Duda are not leftist politicians, most of the European right is anti-Putin.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1714633498,"updatedAt":1715064816,"publishedAt":1714710550,"firstPublishedAt":1714667384,"lastPublishedAt":1714710550,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Szilard Koszticsak\/MTI via AP","altText":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n delivers his address at the third Hungarian edition of CPAC Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, April 25, 2024.","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n delivers his address at the third Hungarian edition of CPAC Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, April 25, 2024.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/11\/04\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2a1d5735-a7b7-5a6c-98ec-01fe6be16e49-8411104.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":682}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"thomas-ja","twitter":"@jwjthomas","title":"James Thomas"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"thecube","titleRaw":"TheCube","id":15332,"title":"TheCube","slug":"thecube"},{"urlSafeValue":"fact-checking","titleRaw":"Fact checking","id":26642,"title":"Fact checking","slug":"fact-checking"},{"urlSafeValue":"european-elections-2024","titleRaw":"European elections 2024","id":29340,"title":"European elections 2024","slug":"european-elections-2024"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"},{"urlSafeValue":"hungarian-economy","titleRaw":"Hungarian economy","id":28666,"title":"Hungarian economy","slug":"hungarian-economy"},{"urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","titleRaw":"Ukraine war","id":26692,"title":"Ukraine 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HUNGARY NOTES PUB","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"WATCH: \"The For Sale\" Pub, Step Inside Budapest's Iconic bar","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"WATCH: \"The For Sale\" Pub, Step Inside Budapest's Iconic bar","titleListing2":"Adorned with hundreds of handwritten notes covering its walls and ceiling, this establishment has been a favorite haunt for foreign tourists since the mid-1990s.","leadin":"Adorned with hundreds of handwritten notes covering its walls and ceiling, this establishment has been a favorite haunt for foreign tourists since the mid-1990s.","summary":"Adorned with hundreds of handwritten notes covering its walls and ceiling, this establishment has been a favorite haunt for foreign tourists since the mid-1990s.","keySentence":"","url":"watch-the-for-sale-pub-step-inside-budapests-iconic-bar","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/05\/02\/watch-the-for-sale-pub-step-inside-budapests-iconic-bar","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The allure of the For Sale Pub extends beyond its picturesque location, offering guests the opportunity to leave behind personal messages on small slips of paper, creating a tapestry of memories for future visitors. Manager Gabor Kesztehelyi describes it as a place where guests can feel relaxed and free, indulging in the cozy ambiance of warm wood paneling and unlimited hazelnuts. \n\nWhile the majority of the menu features well-known Hungarian dishes, the pub's quirky vibe attracts tourists seeking an off-beat experience. Visitors often flock to capture the interior's charm, leaving behind notes in various languages, ranging from greetings to political messages. \n\nDespite its unconventional approach, the For Sale Pub relies solely on word of mouth for promotion, eschewing social media and traditional advertising. Even its name, a remnant of a 'for sale' sign, reflects the pub's unique character. \n\nInitially, both the walls and the ceiling of the pub were adorned with various banknotes and business cards from both local and international visitors. However, over time, these were replaced by personal notes documenting guests' cherished experiences in Budapest. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The allure of the For Sale Pub extends beyond its picturesque location, offering guests the opportunity to leave behind personal messages on small slips of paper, creating a tapestry of memories for future visitors. Manager Gabor Kesztehelyi describes it as a place where guests can feel relaxed and free, indulging in the cozy ambiance of warm wood paneling and unlimited hazelnuts.<\/p>\n<p>While the majority of the menu features well-known Hungarian dishes, the pub's quirky vibe attracts tourists seeking an off-beat experience. Visitors often flock to capture the interior's charm, leaving behind notes in various languages, ranging from greetings to political messages.<\/p>\n<p>Despite its unconventional approach, the For Sale Pub relies solely on word of mouth for promotion, eschewing social media and traditional advertising. Even its name, a remnant of a 'for sale' sign, reflects the pub's unique character.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, both the walls and the ceiling of the pub were adorned with various banknotes and business cards from both local and international visitors. However, over time, these were replaced by personal notes documenting guests' cherished experiences in Budapest.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1714654986,"updatedAt":1714660917,"publishedAt":1714658209,"firstPublishedAt":1714658297,"lastPublishedAt":1714660917,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP","altText":"Tourist filming notes on the walls in \"The For Sale\" pub","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Tourist filming notes on the walls in \"The For Sale\" pub","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/41\/22\/34\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d71e4794-336d-5292-b837-05b37f5c1f88-8412234.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"caraco","twitter":null,"title":"Alexis Caraco"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"urlSafeValue":"caraco","twitter":null,"title":"Alexis 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PETER MAGYAR CAMPAIGN TRAIL","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungarian government targets former Fidesz ally in elections campaign","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungarian government targets former Fidesz ally in elections campaign","titleListing2":"Hungarian government targets former Fidesz ally in elections campaign","leadin":"Following his divorce with Fidesz' former justice minister, P\u00e9ter Magyar emerged as a key opposition figure of Viktor Orban's government.","summary":"Following his divorce with Fidesz' former justice minister, P\u00e9ter Magyar emerged as a key opposition figure of Viktor Orban's government.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarian-government-targets-former-fidesz-ally-in-elections-campaign","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/04\/23\/hungarian-government-targets-former-fidesz-ally-in-elections-campaign","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Hungarian government started a fresh round of anti-EU billboard campaign ahead of the EU elections. Leading EU opposition figures are being portrayed as servants of the Commission, particularly president Ursula von der Leyen.\u00a0In the firing line is the former ally of the Fidesz elite, P\u00e9ter Magyar, who is rising as an opposition figure against Prime Minister Viktor Orban.\u00a0 \n\nMagyar portrays his recently-launched party TISZA as the new movement against Fidesz. Earlier this month, he told tens of thousands of supporters that the government had \"betrayed\" its voters.\u00a0Magyar's party is expected to participate in the European elections ,\u00a0scheduled for this June. \n\n\"I laugh at these posters, that I am a leftist or a puppet of Ursula von der Leyen. I will never be, \" Magyar told Euronews. \"The TISZA Party believes in a European Union based on strong member states, we will join the European Prosecutor's Office, and our representatives will sit in the European People's Party, from which Fidesz was kicked out. We seek a constructive but critical relationship with Brussels.\" \n\nTrained as a lawyer, who has also served as a Hungarian diplomat, Magyar was married to Judit Varga, the former justice minister under the Fidesz party in the government. The media traditionally portrayed their family as a picture-perfect conservative family. Magyar had previously talked about leaving office to look after their young three children. \n\nThe couple divorced in March 2023. Varga was expected to become an MEP in Brussels following the European elections in the summer. \n\nIn February this year, Varga and former President Katalin Novak resigned from office after the media revealed that they had issued a presidential pardon to a man convicted for covering up sexual abuse at a children's home. \n\nLess than a year after his divorce and following the resignation that hit the reputation of Orban's government, Magyar came out as a major voice of the government's opposition.\u00a0 \n\nIn April this year, Magyar launched the TISZA party to oppose Orban's government. \"Let's see how afraid the authorities are and whether they will try to prevent our departure with administrative means,\" Magyar said . \"The June 9 election will be a milestone. If we stick together and stick together, nothing and no one can stop us from taking back our country.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Hungarian government started a fresh round of anti-EU billboard campaign ahead of the EU elections. Leading EU opposition figures are being portrayed as servants of the Commission, particularly president Ursula von der Leyen.\u00a0In the firing line is the former ally of the Fidesz elite, P\u00e9ter Magyar, who is rising as an opposition figure against Prime Minister Viktor Orban.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1782296699173498893\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1726551433351463235\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Magyar portrays his recently-launched party TISZA as the new movement against Fidesz. Earlier this month, he told tens of thousands of supporters that the government had \"betrayed\" its voters.\u00a0Magyar's party is expected to participate in the European <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//04//21//official-election-campaign-underway-in-hungary/">elections,/u00a0scheduled for this June.<\/p>\n<p>\"I laugh at these posters, that I am a leftist or a puppet of Ursula von der Leyen. I will never be, \" Magyar told Euronews. \"The TISZA Party believes in a European Union based on strong member states, we will join the European Prosecutor's Office, and our representatives will sit in the European People's Party, from which Fidesz was kicked out. We seek a constructive but critical relationship with Brussels.\"<\/p>\n<p>Trained as a lawyer, who has also served as a Hungarian diplomat, Magyar was married to Judit Varga, the former justice minister under the Fidesz party in the government. The media traditionally portrayed their family as a picture-perfect conservative family. Magyar had previously talked about leaving office to look after their young three children.<\/p>\n<p>The couple divorced in March 2023. Varga was expected to become an MEP in Brussels following the European <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//04//15//hungarian-opposition-demands-early-election-at-campaign-launch/">elections in the summer.<\/p>\n<p>In February this year, Varga and former President Katalin Novak resigned from office after the media revealed that they had issued a presidential pardon to a man convicted for covering up sexual abuse at a children's home.<\/p>\n<p>Less than a year after his divorce and following the resignation that hit the reputation of Orban's government, Magyar came out as a major voice of the government's opposition.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-oembed-url=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/peter.magyar.102\/posts\/pfbid0V852HwruigaKAyUu4QL7fu5qsXHuUAAtwpFjdBG34et12b9uQUfDbUgvZqEo9ch5l\" class=\"widget widget--type-facebook widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div> <script async=\"1\" defer=\"1\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////connect.facebook.net//fr_FR//sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v19.0\" nonce=\"GvODCI68\"><\/script><div class=\"fb-post\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/peter.magyar.102\/posts\/pfbid0V852HwruigaKAyUu4QL7fu5qsXHuUAAtwpFjdBG34et12b9uQUfDbUgvZqEo9ch5l\" data-width=\"552\"><blockquote cite=\"https:\/\/graph.facebook.com\/100000733720126\/posts\/7927540337280345\/\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\"><p>Tudom\u00e1sul veszem, hogy mind Orb\u00e1n Viktor, mind Gyurcs\u00e1ny Ferenc gy\u00e1va ahhoz, hogy az orsz\u00e1g nyilv\u00e1noss\u00e1ga el\u0151tt \u00e9l\u0151...<\/p>Posted by <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.facebook.com//peter.magyar.102/">P/u00e9ter Magyar<\/a> on <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////graph.facebook.com//100000733720126//posts//7927540337280345///">Saturday, April 13, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote><\/div> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In April this year, Magyar launched the TISZA party to oppose Orban's government. \"Let's see how afraid the authorities are and whether they will try to prevent our departure with administrative means,\" Magyar <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.facebook.com//photo//?fbid=7914239761943736&set=a.115525025148621\%22>said<\/strong><\/a>. \"The June 9 election will be a milestone. If we stick together and stick together, nothing and no one can stop us from taking back our country.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1713848495,"updatedAt":1713892458,"publishedAt":1713860024,"firstPublishedAt":1713860032,"lastPublishedAt":1713892458,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP","altText":"P\u00e9ter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orb\u00e1n ally Judit Varga holds a smoke-candle after his speech on Hungary's National Day in Budapest on Friday,","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"P\u00e9ter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orb\u00e1n ally Judit Varga holds a smoke-candle after his speech on Hungary's National Day in Budapest on Friday,","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/19\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP","altText":"P\u00e9ter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orb\u00e1n ally Judit Varga meets with people in the crowd after his speech on Hungary's National Day in Budapest ","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"P\u00e9ter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orb\u00e1n ally Judit Varga meets with people in the crowd after his speech on Hungary's National Day in Budapest ","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/10\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d2386d2d-cf32-58e9-b5f2-11debf9acabb-8311048.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"konya","twitter":null,"title":"Rita Konya"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"election","titleRaw":"Election","id":25588,"title":"Election","slug":"election"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"},{"urlSafeValue":"eu-elections-explainers","titleRaw":"EU elections explainers","id":20026,"title":"EU elections explainers","slug":"eu-elections-explainers"},{"urlSafeValue":"european-elections-2024","titleRaw":"European elections 2024","id":29340,"title":"European elections 2024","slug":"european-elections-2024"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"twitter"},{"count":1,"slug":"facebook"}],"related":[{"id":2526244},{"id":2497162},{"id":2519698}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"n4Je8VFJPOc","dailymotionId":"x8xb85q"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":117000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":14760180,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/04\/22\/en\/240422_NWSU_55361491_55366219_117000_104356_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":117000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":22126836,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/04\/22\/en\/240422_NWSU_55361491_55366219_117000_104356_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Clara Preve","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"my-europe","id":2,"title":"My Europe","slug":"my-europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"My Europe"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","id":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_elections','gs_politics_hungarian','gs_politics_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/04\/23\/hungarian-government-targets-former-fidesz-ally-in-elections-campaign","lastModified":1713892458},{"id":2524324,"cid":8382140,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240418_TNSU_55330750","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"TRAVEL_A major new food market will put Budapest\u2019s best restaurants under one roof","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"A major new food market will put Budapest\u2019s best restaurants under one roof","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Time Out Market is coming to Budapest. Here\u2019s what to expect","titleListing2":"A major new food market will put Budapest\u2019s best restaurants under one roof","leadin":"Hungary's capital is set to welcome a curated food market in the city centre.","summary":"Hungary's capital is set to welcome a curated food market in the city centre.","keySentence":"","url":"a-major-new-food-market-will-put-budapests-best-restaurants-under-one-roof","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2024\/04\/18\/a-major-new-food-market-will-put-budapests-best-restaurants-under-one-roof","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The first-ever Time Out Market opened in Lisbon in 2014. A decade later it\u2019s still packed to the rafters with some of the Portuguese capital\u2019s best food vendors and hungry punters looking to pair their meal with a port-and-tonic or a spot of salsa dancing. \n\nNow, a new market is launching in Budapest, Hungary, bringing a curated selection of the city\u2019s food and culture to the grand Corvin Palace in Blaha Lujza Square. \n\nIt is slated to open in 2025 and will join the ranks of existing Time Out markets in Miami, New York, Boston, Montreal, Chicago, Dubai, Cape Town and Porto - which is due to launch in May. \n\nWhat will Time Out Market Budapest be like? \n\nTime Out\u2019s food market will take over the Neoclassical Corvin Palace. The former department store originally opened in 1926 and has recently been renovated. \n\nBy next year, it will roar to life with 14 kitchens hosting award-winning chefs, outlets of local favourite food joints, and up-and-coming restaurateurs plying Budapest\u2019s most iconic dishes all under one roof. \n\nFour bars will serve up cocktails, local wine , beer, p\u00e1linka fruit brandy and - of course - the Hungarian herbal liqueur Unicum to wash it all down. \n\nWith seating for 800 people, the vast venue will also have an events space where you can expect live music and more. \n\nLocated at one of the city\u2019s busiest intersections, Corvin Palace is close to central attractions such as the Hungarian National Museum and Dohany Street Synagogue - the largest in Europe. \n\nWhat to eat in Budapest \n\nWhile it\u2019s yet to be revealed which food vendors will be joining the project, it\u2019s safe to say that the market will feature some of Hungary \u2019s most iconic dishes. \n\nThe country\u2019s deep history and multicultural makeup feed into its rich food scene. Bavarian and Italian royal connections blend with the meat-heavy influence of the 10th century nomadic Magyar tribes. Hungarian-Jewish restaurants meet Turkish bistros that hark back to the 16th and 17th century Ottoman occupation. And dishes like pork, dumplings and sour cabbage stem from the 19th century Austro-Hungarian Empire. \n\nGuly\u00e1s or goulash , Hungary\u2019s national dish, is a hearty meat stew seasoned with paprika that makes for a warming winter treat. After a few too many drinks, l\u00e1ngos - deep fried bread covered with sour cream and cheese - will set you right. \n\nFor something sweet, try Gerbeaud, a traditional layered cake with walnut and apricot jam filling, or Soml\u00f3i galuska, a Hungarian chocolate trifle. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The first-ever Time Out Market opened in Lisbon in 2014. A decade later it\u2019s still packed to the rafters with some of the Portuguese capital\u2019s best food vendors and hungry punters looking to pair their meal with a port-and-tonic or a spot of salsa dancing.<\/p>\n<p>Now, a new market is launching in Budapest, Hungary, bringing a curated selection of the city\u2019s food and culture to the grand Corvin Palace in Blaha Lujza Square.<\/p>\n<p>It is slated to open in 2025 and will join the ranks of existing Time Out markets in Miami, New York, Boston, Montreal, Chicago, Dubai, Cape Town and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//04//10//forget-bordeaux-and-bruges-wine-and-chocolate-lovers-should-book-a-trip-to-porto/">Porto - which is due to launch in May.<\/p>\n<h2>What will Time Out Market Budapest be like?<\/h2><p>Time Out\u2019s food market will take over the Neoclassical Corvin Palace. The former department store originally opened in 1926 and has recently been renovated.<\/p>\n<p>By next year, it will roar to life with 14 kitchens hosting award-winning chefs, outlets of local favourite <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//02//15//pasta-classes-tapas-crawls-and-wine-tastings-7-of-europes-best-food-adventures/">food joints, and up-and-coming restaurateurs plying Budapest\u2019s most iconic dishes all under one roof.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8196420,8361940\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2024//04//10//from-the-dolomites-to-sicily-here-are-the-best-foodie-spots-in-untrodden-italy/">From the Dolomites to Sicily: Here are the best foodie spots in untrodden Italy<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2024//01//28//budapest-to-lyon-why-i-chose-to-take-a-night-train-with-my-6-year-old-son-instead-of-a-fli/">Budapest to Lyon: Why I chose to take a night train with my 6-year-old son instead of a flight<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Four bars will serve up cocktails, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2022//12//10//from-bohemian-ruin-bars-to-five-star-hotels-where-to-drink-in-budapests-up-and-coming-wine/">local wine<\/strong><\/a>, beer, p\u00e1linka fruit brandy and - of course - the Hungarian herbal liqueur <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//09//10//from-unicum-to-turnip-schnapps-where-to-try-europes-unique-local-spirits/">Unicum to wash it all down.<\/p>\n<p>With seating for 800 people, the vast venue will also have an events space where you can expect live music and more.<\/p>\n<p>Located at one of the city\u2019s busiest intersections, Corvin Palace is close to central attractions such as the Hungarian National Museum and Dohany Street Synagogue - the largest in Europe.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-ease-in-up widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//38//21//40//808x454_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg/" alt=\"L\u00e1ngos is a delicious late night snack.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/384x216_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/640x360_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/750x422_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/828x466_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/1080x608_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/1200x675_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/1920x1080_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">L\u00e1ngos is a delicious late night snack.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Canva<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>What to eat in Budapest<\/h2><p>While it\u2019s yet to be revealed which food vendors will be joining the project, it\u2019s safe to say that the market will feature some of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2022//11//15//hungary-these-are-the-most-underrated-places-outside-of-budapest/">Hungary/u2019s most iconic dishes.<\/p>\n<p>The country\u2019s deep history and multicultural makeup feed into its rich <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//04//29//want-to-travel-more-sustainably-try-eating-your-way-around-europes-seasonal-delights/">food scene. Bavarian and Italian royal connections blend with the meat-heavy influence of the 10th century nomadic Magyar tribes. Hungarian-Jewish restaurants meet Turkish bistros that hark back to the 16th and 17th century Ottoman occupation. And dishes like pork, dumplings and sour cabbage stem from the 19th century Austro-Hungarian Empire.<\/p>\n<p>Guly\u00e1s or <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2024//03//04//pierogi-goulash-schnitzel-5-european-trains-serving-tasty-regional-dishes-in-their-dining-/">goulash, Hungary\u2019s national dish, is a hearty meat stew seasoned with paprika that makes for a warming winter treat. After a few too many drinks, l\u00e1ngos - deep fried bread covered with sour cream and cheese - will set you right.<\/p>\n<p>For something sweet, try Gerbeaud, a traditional layered cake with walnut and apricot jam filling, or Soml\u00f3i galuska, a Hungarian chocolate trifle.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1713440533,"updatedAt":1713452447,"publishedAt":1713452427,"firstPublishedAt":1713441756,"lastPublishedAt":1713452447,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d153544f-2c22-52cc-967e-86e4d2ae0e44-8382140.jpg","altText":"Time Out Market Budapest will bring the city's best food vendors under one roof.","caption":"Time Out Market Budapest will bring the city's best food vendors under one roof.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Canva","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/38\/21\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4703039f-5dec-5aef-8b0a-59cbbae7c01d-8382140.jpg","altText":"L\u00e1ngos is a delicious late night snack.","caption":"L\u00e1ngos is a delicious late night snack.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Canva","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"symons","title":"Angela Symons","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":1764,"slug":"budapest","urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest","titleRaw":"Budapest"},{"id":11396,"slug":"food","urlSafeValue":"food","title":"Food","titleRaw":"Food"},{"id":25946,"slug":"market","urlSafeValue":"market","title":"Market","titleRaw":"Market"},{"id":25544,"slug":"street-food","urlSafeValue":"street-food","title":"street food","titleRaw":"street food"},{"id":18514,"slug":"food-culture","urlSafeValue":"food-culture","title":"food culture","titleRaw":"food culture"},{"id":1940,"slug":"lisbon","urlSafeValue":"lisbon","title":"Lisbon","titleRaw":"Lisbon"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"travel-news","urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-news\/travel-news"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"id":"travel-news","urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":21,"urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":{"id":1764,"urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_fooddrink','gs_food','gs_fooddrink_cooking','gs_food_misc','gs_attractions','gs_food_drink','gs_fooddrink_alcohol','gt_positive','italy_eng','gs_attractions_barrestaurant','client_easports_sporting_gaming','neg_bucherer','neg_facebook_neg14'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/travel\/2024\/04\/18\/a-major-new-food-market-will-put-budapests-best-restaurants-under-one-roof","lastModified":1713452447},{"id":2497160,"cid":8298466,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240415_SRSU_55020634","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SR-06-Geothermal plant - MASTER","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"The future is geothermal: Hungarian city leads the way with renewable energy","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"The future is geothermal: Hungarian city embraces renewable energy","titleListing2":"The future is geothermal: Hungarian city leads the way with renewable energy\n\n","leadin":"The city of Szeged is harnessing the power of geothermal energy - it offers numerous advantages as a sustainable resource and reduces the demand for fossil fuels.","summary":"The city of Szeged is harnessing the power of geothermal energy - it offers numerous advantages as a sustainable resource and reduces the demand for fossil fuels.","keySentence":"","url":"hungary-boasts-the-eus-largest-geothermal-system","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/04\/15\/hungary-boasts-the-eus-largest-geothermal-system","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The fight against climate change is gaining momentum in Hungary. The European Union's largest geothermal system is powering residential and commercial buildings in Szeged, 160 kilometres from Budapest. \n\nGeothermal energy has been used for centuries however this renewable energy resource is gaining renewed attention as a sustainable solution for electricity generation, heating, and cooling applications.\u00a0 \n\nSzeged launched the project after the local district heating provider suggested that geothermal energy could replace the town's old gas-powered system dating back to the early 1980s. \n\n\"The idea is to reduce gas use by around 50 per cent,\" said Tamas Medgyes, the Chief Operations Manager at the District Heating Company of Szeged. \n\nMedgyes gave Euronews a tour of the facility.\u00a0With its network of 27 wells, 16 heating plants, and 250 kilometres of distribution pipes, the new system exploits thermal energy underground and converts it into warm air. \n\n\"Szeged gets quite bad air in the winter time. The largest CO2 emitter in the city is the district heating system.\u00a0This company has operated on natural gas for 40 years. In the last two or three years we have been switching this gas-based system to geothermal,\" Medgyes added. \n\nWhat is geothermal energy and how is it used? \n\nGeothermal energy is generated from the heat at the Earth's core and is stored in the mantle or the Earth's middle layer. The temperature difference between the Earth's core and surface drives a continuous flow of thermal energy from the centre to the Earth's crust.\u00a0 \n\nThe Earth's crust contains solid rocks, minerals and water, heated to approximately 370\u00b0C.\u00a0To avail of\u00a0hot geothermal water, engineers must drill holes, sometimes several kilometres deep. \n\n\"Geothermal water is a special type of water which is heated by the Earth. So it's absorbing the heat of the geological area. And when we take it out from the original area, we can use this water for several purposes,\" explained Tamas Ezsias, a project manager at MedWater Ltd. \n\nGeothermal water also plays a significant role in agriculture and is even used by the local authorities to melt snow and ice on major roads during the winter months. Its constant temperature also makes it ideal for maintaining optimal conditions in greenhouses. \n\nSzeged's\u00a0geothermal heating system is the second largest in Europe after Iceland and the largest in the EU. The project cost approximately \u20ac70 million and provides clean, renewable and affordable energy to over 27,000 households and over 400 public buildings in the area. \n\nThe European Cohesion Policy provided \u20ac23 million of the total budget. \n\nWhat do consumers say? \n\nIf the plan to halve gas consumption works, the District Heating Company of Szeged expects CO\u2082 emissions to drop by 30,000 tonnes yearly. \n\nLocal resident Gabriella Maarne's home is now heated by geothermal energy, she told Euronews that there weren't any disruptions during the switchover: \"Neither the apartment nor the condominium required any remodelling. The representative of the condominium indicated that drilling would take place, but we never noticed any sign of it,\" she said. \n\nExperts say the 'Szeged model' could be replicated in other cities, approximately 25 per cent of the EU's population lives in areas with sufficient geothermal resources. \n\nUltimately, this renewable resource has proven its versatility and potential for meeting Hungary's energy needs while helping\u00a0the EU diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on Russian gas imports. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The fight against climate change is gaining momentum in Hungary. The European Union's largest geothermal system is powering residential and commercial buildings in Szeged, 160 kilometres from Budapest.<\/p>\n<p>Geothermal energy has been used for centuries however this renewable energy resource is gaining renewed attention as a sustainable solution for electricity generation, heating, and cooling applications.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Szeged launched the project after the local district heating provider suggested that geothermal energy could replace the town's old gas-powered system dating back to the early 1980s.<\/p>\n<p>\"The idea is to reduce gas use by around 50 per cent,\" said Tamas Medgyes, the Chief Operations Manager at the District Heating Company of Szeged.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//29//84//66//808x454_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg/" alt=\"Tamas Medgyes, Chief Operations Manager, District Heating Company of Szeged\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/384x216_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/640x360_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/750x422_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/828x466_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/1080x608_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/1200x675_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/1920x1080_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Tamas Medgyes, Chief Operations Manager, District Heating Company of Szeged<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Medgyes gave Euronews a tour of the facility.\u00a0With its network of 27 wells, 16 heating plants, and 250 kilometres of distribution pipes, the new system exploits thermal energy underground and converts it into warm air.<\/p>\n<p>\"Szeged gets quite bad air in the winter time. The largest CO2 emitter in the city is the district heating system.\u00a0This company has operated on natural gas for 40 years. In the last two or three years we have been switching this gas-based system to geothermal,\" Medgyes added.<\/p>\n<h3>What is geothermal energy and how is it used?<\/h3><p>Geothermal energy is generated from the heat at the Earth's core and is stored in the mantle or the Earth's middle layer. The temperature difference between the Earth's core and surface drives a continuous flow of thermal energy from the centre to the Earth's crust.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8180760,7860184,7495220\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//31//germany-wants-to-boost-the-use-of-geothermal-energy-to-reduce-dependency-on-russian-gas-su/">Germany wants to boost the use of geothermal energy to reduce dependency on Russian gas supplies<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2023//04//10//how-an-eu-project-is-helping-brussels-tap-into-its-geothermal-potential/">How an EU project is helping Brussels tap into its geothermal potential<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//01//18//geothermal-potential-in-northern-western-europe-flagged-as-lawmakers-back-plan/">Geothermal potential in northern, western Europe flagged as lawmakers back plan<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Earth's crust contains solid rocks, minerals and water, heated to approximately 370\u00b0C.\u00a0To avail of\u00a0hot geothermal water, engineers must drill holes, sometimes several kilometres deep.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//29//84//66//808x454_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg/" alt=\"Tamas Ezsias, Project Manager, MedWater Ltd\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/384x216_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/640x360_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/750x422_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/828x466_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/1080x608_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/1200x675_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/1920x1080_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Tamas Ezsias, Project Manager, MedWater Ltd<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"Geothermal water is a special type of water which is heated by the Earth. So it's absorbing the heat of the geological area. And when we take it out from the original area, we can use this water for several purposes,\" explained Tamas Ezsias, a project manager at MedWater Ltd.<\/p>\n<p>Geothermal water also plays a significant role in agriculture and is even used by the local authorities to melt snow and ice on major roads during the winter months. Its constant temperature also makes it ideal for maintaining optimal conditions in greenhouses.<\/p>\n<div data-oembed-url=\"https:\/\/infogram.com\/smart-regions-geothermal-1hmr6g8d5qzgz2n?live\" class=\"widget widget--type-infogram widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"8d28085e-c9fc-47f5-9c4f-c2f278598bdd\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Smart Regions - Geothermal\"><\/div><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Szeged's\u00a0geothermal heating system is the second largest in Europe after Iceland and the largest in the EU. The project cost approximately \u20ac70 million and provides clean, renewable and affordable energy to over 27,000 households and over 400 public buildings in the area.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////ec.europa.eu//regional_policy//policy//what//investment-policy_en/">European Cohesion Policy<\/strong><\/a> provided \u20ac23 million of the total budget.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1661679893556412416\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3>What do consumers say?<\/h3><p>If the plan to halve gas consumption works, the District Heating Company of Szeged expects CO\u2082 emissions to drop by 30,000 tonnes yearly.<\/p>\n<p>Local resident Gabriella Maarne's home is now heated by geothermal energy, she told Euronews that there weren't any disruptions during the switchover: \"Neither the apartment nor the condominium required any remodelling. The representative of the condominium indicated that drilling would take place, but we never noticed any sign of it,\" she said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.thinkgeoenergy.com//geothermal-heating-network-in-szeged-hungary-a-blueprint-for-european-citie/">Experts say the 'Szeged model' could be replicated in other cities, approximately 25 per cent of the EU's population lives in areas with sufficient geothermal resources.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, this renewable resource has proven its versatility and potential for meeting Hungary's energy needs while helping\u00a0the EU diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on Russian gas imports.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1710149519,"updatedAt":1713347305,"publishedAt":1713186006,"firstPublishedAt":1713187688,"lastPublishedAt":1713347305,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/68\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_40512bc6-8796-519e-8374-bb001939cd12-8298468.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews ","altText":"Tamas Ezsias, Project Manager, MedWater Ltd","callToActionText":null,"width":1200,"caption":"Tamas Ezsias, Project Manager, MedWater Ltd","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c6af5d42-fab5-5890-8a64-5ee19bf92808-8298466.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":675},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews ","altText":"Tamas Medgyes, Chief Operations Manager, District Heating Szeged","callToActionText":null,"width":1200,"caption":"Tamas Medgyes, Chief Operations Manager, District Heating Szeged","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/84\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6158a4f1-2994-5ea1-adf1-0813d4ca9fc3-8298466.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":675}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"urlSafeValue":"verri","twitter":"@falena","title":"Selene Verri"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"renewable-energies","titleRaw":"Renewable energies","id":235,"title":"Renewable energies","slug":"renewable-energies"},{"urlSafeValue":"sustainable-development","titleRaw":"Sustainable 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demands early election at campaign launch","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungarian opposition demands early election at campaign launch","titleListing2":"Hungarian opposition demands early election at campaign launch","leadin":"If by 9 June, the majority of the country declares they do not want to be governed by the Orb\u00e1n regime, they will fight for early elections, says the Hungarian opposition party.","summary":"If by 9 June, the majority of the country declares they do not want to be governed by the Orb\u00e1n regime, they will fight for early elections, says the Hungarian opposition party.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarian-opposition-demands-early-election-at-campaign-launch","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/04\/15\/hungarian-opposition-demands-early-election-at-campaign-launch","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The opposition DK, MSZP and P\u00e1rbesz\u00e9d parties have entered into a joint strategic cooperation agreement, which says they will cooperate in the upcoming European Parliament and municipal elections. According to DK MEP Kl\u00e1ra Dobrev, the state of Hungary has collapsed at all levels - including healthcare, education, prices, and environmental protection. \n\n\"The collapse of a house does not begin with the walls and the roof, it is already the end, not the beginning. One of the surest signs of collapse is when the foundations begin to crack. This is exactly what is happening with Fidesz,\" said Dobrev. \"Today, for the vast majority, this government is simply a shame to support, and the most important binding material of any party's foundation is the faith and pride of the members and supporters that they are serving a good cause.\" \n\nAccording to Budapest Mayor Gergely Kar\u00e1csony, progress can only be achieved if Hungary remains free and and on the side of justice. \n\n\"On 9 June, fate will make it so that we decide on Europe and our own settlements at the same time. I believe that today this decision is the same, that free local governments are the bridgeheads of the republican idea and European Hungary,\" said\u00a0Kar\u00e1csony. \"Let's preserve these bridgeheads, preserve to build on them so that we can retake our entire country in the coming years.\" \n\nThe lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists, Nicolas Schmit, dubbed Orb\u00e1n's policies reckless, irresponsible, and undemocratic. \n\n\"Since Fidesz came to power, the rule of law has been continuously destroyed, step by step Orb\u00e1n transformed this country into a system that gives him full power and his friends full access to state resources and money,\" said Schmit. \n\nIn his speech, Schmit stressed that their message to anti-democratic actors is: no cooperation, no coalition, neither with Orb\u00e1n nor with the extreme right. as he put it, \"this is their red line.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The opposition DK, MSZP and P\u00e1rbesz\u00e9d parties have entered into a joint strategic cooperation agreement, which says they will cooperate in the upcoming European Parliament and municipal elections. According to DK MEP Kl\u00e1ra Dobrev, the state of Hungary has collapsed at all levels - including healthcare, education, prices, and environmental protection.<\/p>\n<p>\"The collapse of a house does not begin with the walls and the roof, it is already the end, not the beginning. One of the surest signs of collapse is when the foundations begin to crack. This is exactly what is happening with Fidesz,\" said Dobrev. \"Today, for the vast majority, this government is simply a shame to support, and the most important binding material of any party's foundation is the faith and pride of the members and supporters that they are serving a good cause.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5732421875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//08//10//10//808x464_cmsv2_cc0c294a-9a42-5ae8-b413-687130fd5b33-8081010.jpg/" alt=\"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his speech after he was re-elected as party president of the Hungarian Fidesz party in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 18, 2023.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/08\/10\/10\/384x220_cmsv2_cc0c294a-9a42-5ae8-b413-687130fd5b33-8081010.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/08\/10\/10\/640x367_cmsv2_cc0c294a-9a42-5ae8-b413-687130fd5b33-8081010.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/08\/10\/10\/750x430_cmsv2_cc0c294a-9a42-5ae8-b413-687130fd5b33-8081010.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/08\/10\/10\/828x475_cmsv2_cc0c294a-9a42-5ae8-b413-687130fd5b33-8081010.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/08\/10\/10\/1080x619_cmsv2_cc0c294a-9a42-5ae8-b413-687130fd5b33-8081010.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/08\/10\/10\/1200x688_cmsv2_cc0c294a-9a42-5ae8-b413-687130fd5b33-8081010.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/08\/10\/10\/1920x1101_cmsv2_cc0c294a-9a42-5ae8-b413-687130fd5b33-8081010.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his speech after he was re-elected as party president of the Hungarian Fidesz party in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 18, 2023.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Associated Press<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>According to Budapest Mayor Gergely Kar\u00e1csony, progress can only be achieved if Hungary remains free and and on the side of justice.<\/p>\n<p>\"On 9 June, fate will make it so that we decide on Europe and our own settlements at the same time. I believe that today this decision is the same, that free local governments are the bridgeheads of the republican idea and European Hungary,\" said\u00a0Kar\u00e1csony. \"Let's preserve these bridgeheads, preserve to build on them so that we can retake our entire country in the coming years.\"<\/p>\n<p>The lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists, Nicolas Schmit, dubbed Orb\u00e1n's policies reckless, irresponsible, and undemocratic.<\/p>\n<p>\"Since Fidesz came to power, the rule of law has been continuously destroyed, step by step Orb\u00e1n transformed this country into a system that gives him full power and his friends full access to state resources and money,\" said Schmit.<\/p>\n<p>In his speech, Schmit stressed that their message to anti-democratic actors is: no cooperation, no coalition, neither with Orb\u00e1n nor with the extreme right. as he put it, \"this is their red line.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1713132064,"updatedAt":1713178985,"publishedAt":1713178526,"firstPublishedAt":1713178531,"lastPublishedAt":1713178531,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Associated Press","altText":"Kl\u00e1ra Dobrev","callToActionText":null,"width":3462,"caption":"Kl\u00e1ra Dobrev","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/37\/29\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_334eb715-b7b9-550c-9d0d-d816ccf9735a-8372966.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2304}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"european-elections-2024","titleRaw":"European elections 2024","id":29340,"title":"European elections 2024","slug":"european-elections-2024"},{"urlSafeValue":"eu-parliament","titleRaw":"EU Parliament","id":95,"title":"EU 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Hungarian opposition rally Peter Magyar","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12}],"status":2,"title":"Thousands protest in Hungary against Viktor Orb\u00e1n's government","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Thousands protest in Hungary against Viktor Orb\u00e1n's government","titleListing2":"Thousands protests in Hungary against Viktor Orb\u00e1n's government.","leadin":"Some media estimated about 100,000 participants, making it one of the two largest opposition political demonstrations in recent years.","summary":"Some media estimated about 100,000 participants, making it one of the two largest opposition political demonstrations in recent years.","keySentence":"","url":"thousands-protest-in-hungary-against-viktor-orbans-government","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/04\/07\/thousands-protest-in-hungary-against-viktor-orbans-government","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Tens of thousands of Hungarians demonstrated Saturday against Viktor Orb\u00e1n 's government at the invitation of the prime minister's new challenger, P\u00e9ter Magyar. The crowd packed Budapest's main square.\u00a0 \n\nP\u00e9ter Magyar, 43, belonged to the ruling party's elite circle; he was the husband of former Justice Minister Judit Varga. But two months ago he defected and has been shaking up the Hungarian political landscape ever since. \n\nMagyar wants to overthrow Orb\u00e1n's system \n\nHis goal now is to overthrow the system of Viktor Orb\u00e1n, in power since 2010. Addressing the protesters, P\u00e9ter Magyar accused the country's media and prosecutor's office of lacking true independence, hurled accusations of government corruption, and said he would launch a party to participate in next June's European elections. \n\n\"We Hungarians unite,\" he chanted to the crowd, calling on Hungarians on the right, left and liberals to respect each other and work together to replace the current political elite. P\u00e9ter Magyar also harshly criticized the traditional opposition parties for failing to wage a fierce battle against the ruling party over the past 14 years. \n\nThousands flocked to Budapest to protest against Orb\u00e1n \n\n\"P\u00e9ter Magyar kept his promise,\" explains Euronews correspondent Zolt\u00e1n Siposhegyi, \"Not only Budapest's main square, but also the narrow streets around it were packed with people. What was extraordinary was that not a single opposition flag or poster could be seen. In fact, the speakers harshly criticised not only the Fidesz government (Orb\u00e1n's party, ed.), but also the entire opposition elite.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Tens of thousands of Hungarians demonstrated Saturday against Viktor Orb\u00e1n 's government at the invitation of the prime minister's new challenger, P\u00e9ter Magyar. The crowd packed Budapest's main square.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>P\u00e9ter Magyar, 43, belonged to the ruling party's elite circle; he was the husband of former Justice Minister Judit Varga. But two months ago he defected and has been shaking up the Hungarian political landscape ever since.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1776670498149015707\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Magyar wants to overthrow Orb\u00e1n's system<\/h2><p>His goal now is to overthrow the system of Viktor Orb\u00e1n, in power since 2010. Addressing the protesters, P\u00e9ter Magyar accused the country's media and prosecutor's office of lacking true independence, hurled accusations of government corruption, and said he would launch a party to participate in next June's European elections.<\/p>\n<p>\"We Hungarians unite,\" he chanted to the crowd, calling on Hungarians on the right, left and liberals to respect each other and work together to replace the current political elite. P\u00e9ter Magyar also harshly criticized the traditional opposition parties for failing to wage a fierce battle against the ruling party over the past 14 years.<\/p>\n<h2>Thousands flocked to Budapest to protest against Orb\u00e1n<\/h2><p>\"P\u00e9ter Magyar kept his promise,\" explains Euronews correspondent Zolt\u00e1n Siposhegyi, \"Not only Budapest's main square, but also the narrow streets around it were packed with people. What was extraordinary was that not a single opposition flag or poster could be seen. In fact, the speakers harshly criticised not only the Fidesz government (Orb\u00e1n's party, ed.), but also the entire opposition elite.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1712415402,"updatedAt":1712982624,"publishedAt":1712489683,"firstPublishedAt":1712489691,"lastPublishedAt":1712982624,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"P\u00e9ter Magyar","callToActionText":null,"width":1136,"caption":"P\u00e9ter Magyar","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/35\/58\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ccb24e92-27dd-5072-8d6c-4a84038baeaf-8355810.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":639}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"opposition","titleRaw":"Opposition","id":11286,"title":"Opposition","slug":"opposition"},{"urlSafeValue":"demonstration","titleRaw":"Demonstration","id":12028,"title":"Demonstration","slug":"demonstration"},{"urlSafeValue":"hungarian-politics","titleRaw":"Hungarian politics","id":10533,"title":"Hungarian politics","slug":"hungarian-politics"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"twitter"}],"related":[{"id":2504438},{"id":2524564},{"id":2526262}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":72000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":9512804,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/04\/06\/en\/240406_NWSU_55231761_55231780_72000_062418_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":72000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":14027108,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/04\/06\/en\/240406_NWSU_55231761_55231780_72000_062418_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','gb_arms_high','gb_arms_high_med','gb_arms_high_med_low','gb_arms_serious','gv_arms','gb_sensitive_high_med','gb_sensitive_high_med_low','gb_sensitive_news-ent','gs_society_misc','gb_sensitive_edu','gs_society','gb_death_injury_edu','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gv_death_injury'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/04\/07\/thousands-protest-in-hungary-against-viktor-orbans-government","lastModified":1712982624},{"id":2509814,"cid":8338028,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240329_NWSU_55166227","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"FDJ HUNGARY DOGS STUDY","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Dogs understand when you talk to them - study","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"","titleListing2":"Dogs understand when you talk to them - study","leadin":"According to researchers in Hungary, dogs understand when they are spoken to and, like humans, are capable of associating a word with an object.","summary":"According to researchers in Hungary, dogs understand when they are spoken to and, like humans, are capable of associating a word with an object.","keySentence":"","url":"dogs-understand-when-you-talk-to-them-study","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/03\/29\/dogs-understand-when-you-talk-to-them-study","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Does your dog understand when you talk to them?\u00a0 \n\nYes, according to some owners. And that's what researchers think too. \n\nA recent study carried out in Hungary revealed that, apart from commands, man's best friend can understand words representing objects. \n\nIn their study, researchers used electrodes to analyse what was going on in their brains. \n\n\"We thought that if the dogs really understood the meaning of the word, the name of the object, they would expect to see that object. And that if the owner showed them another object, there would be a surprise reaction in the brain. And that's exactly what we found,\" explains Marianna Boros, a researcher in the Department of Ethology at Lor\u00e1nd E\u00f6tv\u00f6s University. \n\nResearchers noticed a different pattern in the dogs' brains when the right word is not associated with the right object. This is exactly what happens in the brains of humans. \n\n\"When we try to identify certain abilities in dogs or understand how the brain processes certain types of stimuli, we also learn at the same time about what they have in common with humans and what is specific to humans\", continues Marianna Boros. \n\nThe results of this study show that in dogs, these abilities seem to be innate and do not require any particular training or talent. \n\nWatch the full report in the video above.\u00a0 \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Does your dog understand when you talk to them?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Yes, according to some owners. And that's what researchers think too.<\/p>\n<p>A recent study carried out in Hungary revealed that, apart from commands, man's best friend can understand words representing objects.<\/p>\n<p>In their study, researchers used electrodes to analyse what was going on in their brains.<\/p>\n<p>\"We thought that if the dogs really understood the meaning of the word, the name of the object, they would expect to see that object. And that if the owner showed them another object, there would be a surprise reaction in the brain. And that's exactly what we found,\" explains Marianna Boros, a researcher in the Department of Ethology at Lor\u00e1nd E\u00f6tv\u00f6s University.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers noticed a different pattern in the dogs' brains when the right word is not associated with the right object. This is exactly what happens in the brains of humans.<\/p>\n<p>\"When we try to identify certain abilities in dogs or understand how the brain processes certain types of stimuli, we also learn at the same time about what they have in common with humans and what is specific to humans\", continues Marianna Boros.<\/p>\n<p>The results of this study show that in dogs, these abilities seem to be innate and do not require any particular training or talent.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Watch the full report in the video above.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1711668034,"updatedAt":1711715764,"publishedAt":1711715373,"firstPublishedAt":1711715376,"lastPublishedAt":1711715376,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","altText":"Border Collie running round with a frisbee.","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Border Collie running round with a frisbee.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/80\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6493182b-c921-598f-a08a-c3a420033e31-8338036.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"dog","titleRaw":"Dogs","id":14092,"title":"Dogs","slug":"dog"},{"urlSafeValue":"inspection","titleRaw":"inspection","id":14578,"title":"inspection","slug":"inspection"},{"urlSafeValue":"budapest","titleRaw":"Budapest","id":1764,"title":"Budapest","slug":"budapest"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2499128},{"id":2509156},{"id":1808294}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8vzmbi","youtubeId":"9Q4HTL-It0c"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":87000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":11422898,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/03\/29\/en\/240329_NWSU_55166227_55166255_87000_121330_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":87000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":17107122,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/03\/29\/en\/240329_NWSU_55166227_55166255_87000_121330_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world 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protest in Budapest as Orban embroiled in corruption cover up","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Thousands protest in Budapest as Orban embroiled in corruption scandal","titleListing2":"Thousands protest in Budapest as Orban embroiled in corruption cover up","leadin":"Authoritarian social conservative Viktor Orb\u00e1n has already had his power shaken by a sexual abuse scandal.","summary":"Authoritarian social conservative Viktor Orb\u00e1n has already had his power shaken by a sexual abuse scandal.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarian-whistleblower-releases-audio-suggesting-corruption-in-embattled-orban-government","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/03\/26\/hungarian-whistleblower-releases-audio-suggesting-corruption-in-embattled-orban-government","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Thousands took to the streets of Budapest to protest after a former government insider turned critic released an audio recording embroiling top officials in Hungary in a conspiracy to cover up corruption.\u00a0 \n\nPeter Magyar, the ex-husband of Justice Minister Judit Varga, has released an audio recording featuring what appears to be Varga's voice\u00a0describing how other government officials caused evidence to be removed from court records to cover up their roles in corrupt business dealings. \n\nOn Tuesday morning, Magyar published a recording on Facebook and YouTube. \n\n\"They suggested to the prosecutors what should be removed,\" Varga says in the recording, which Magyar says he made during a conversation in the former couple's apartment. \n\nHe has given the tape to the Public Prosecutor's Office in Budapest to be used as evidence. \n\nIn a Facebook post on Tuesday, Varga confirmed the voice on the recording is hers, but accused Magyar of violence toward her during their marriage and claimed she had made the statements under duress. \n\n\"I said what he wanted to hear so I could get away as soon as possible,\" she wrote. \"In a situation like this, any person can say things they don't mean in a state of intimidation.\" \n\nMagyar subsequently denied her claims in a Facebook post of his own. \n\nThe country's largest protests in years erupted in early February after it was revealed that the president had issued a pardon to a man imprisoned for covering up incidents of child sexual abuse perpetrated by the director of a state-run orphanage. \n\nClose Orb\u00e1n allies, including the president and Justice Minister Judit Varga, were forced to resign in the face of public outrage. \n\nSwitching sides \n\nOnce a senior but little-known member of Orb\u00e1n's political circle, Magyar shot to prominence when he gave an interview in February to popular YouTube channel Partizan, where he accused Orb\u00e1n's government of widespread corruption and using smear campaigns to discredit its opponents. \n\nOn March 15, he addressed a crowd of tens of thousands in Budapest, where he announced plans to form a new political party to challenge Fidesz's 14-year grip on power as an alternative to Hungary's fragmented opposition. \n\nThe scandal caused an unprecedented political crisis within Orb\u00e1n's government, which has led Hungary since 2010. Magyar's followers hope his position as a former insider can help to disrupt Hungary's political system, which many see as a deeply entrenched autocracy. \n\nThe government has dismissed him as an opportunist seeking to forge a new career after his divorce from Varga and his loss of positions in several state companies.\u00a0Nonetheless, Magyar's rise has seriously exacerbated what were already major political headaches. \n\nMagyar has railed against official corruption, accusing Orb\u00e1n of overseeing a nepotistic system of oligarchs that enrich themselves through unfairly awarded government contracts. \n\nHe has particularly targeted Antal Rogan, a close Orb\u00e1n ally who is responsible for the government's communications as well as the country's secret services. The recording released Tuesday purports to show that Rogan led the effort to alter evidence. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Thousands took to the streets of Budapest to protest after a former government insider turned critic released an audio recording embroiling top officials in Hungary in a conspiracy to cover up corruption.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Peter Magyar, the ex-husband of Justice Minister Judit Varga, has released an audio recording featuring what appears to be Varga's voice\u00a0describing how other government officials caused evidence to be removed from court records to cover up their roles in corrupt business dealings.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday morning, Magyar published a recording on Facebook and YouTube.<\/p>\n<p>\"They suggested to the prosecutors what should be removed,\" Varga says in the recording, which Magyar says he made during a conversation in the former couple's apartment.<\/p>\n<p>He has given the tape to the Public Prosecutor's Office in Budapest to be used as evidence.<\/p>\n<p>In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Varga confirmed the voice on the recording is hers, but accused Magyar of violence toward her during their marriage and claimed she had made the statements under duress.<\/p>\n<p>\"I said what he wanted to hear so I could get away as soon as possible,\" she wrote. \"In a situation like this, any person can say things they don't mean in a state of intimidation.\"<\/p>\n<p>Magyar subsequently denied her claims in a Facebook post of his own.<\/p>\n<p>The country's largest protests in years erupted in early February after it was revealed that the president had issued a pardon to a man imprisoned for covering up incidents of child sexual abuse perpetrated by the director of a state-run orphanage.<\/p>\n<p>Close Orb\u00e1n allies, including the president and Justice Minister Judit Varga, were forced to resign in the face of public outrage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//33//10//00//808x539_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg/" alt=\"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n gives a speech on the steps of the National Museum in Budapest.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/384x256_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/640x427_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/750x500_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/828x552_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/1080x720_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/1200x800_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/1920x1281_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n gives a speech on the steps of the National Museum in Budapest.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Switching sides<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Once a senior but little-known member of Orb\u00e1n's political circle, Magyar shot to prominence when he gave an interview in February to popular YouTube channel Partizan, where he accused Orb\u00e1n's government of widespread corruption and using smear campaigns to discredit its opponents.<\/p>\n<p>On March 15, he addressed a crowd of tens of thousands in Budapest, where he announced plans to form a new political party to challenge Fidesz's 14-year grip on power as an alternative to Hungary's fragmented opposition.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//31//19//00//808x539_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg/" alt=\"P\u00e9ter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orb\u00e1n ally Judit Varga holds a smoke-candle after his speech on Hungary's National Day in Budapest.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/19\/00\/384x256_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/19\/00\/640x427_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/19\/00\/750x500_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/19\/00\/828x552_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/19\/00\/1080x720_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/19\/00\/1200x800_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/31\/19\/00\/1920x1281_cmsv2_0dac2d48-94dd-53fa-b2bb-1261312cfbf7-8311900.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">P\u00e9ter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orb\u00e1n ally Judit Varga holds a smoke-candle after his speech on Hungary's National Day in Budapest.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The scandal caused an unprecedented political crisis within Orb\u00e1n's government, which has led Hungary since 2010. Magyar's followers hope his position as a former insider can help to disrupt Hungary's political system, which many see as a deeply entrenched autocracy.<\/p>\n<p>The government has dismissed him as an opportunist seeking to forge a new career after his divorce from Varga and his loss of positions in several state companies.\u00a0Nonetheless, Magyar's rise has seriously exacerbated what were already major political headaches.<\/p>\n<p>Magyar has railed against official corruption, accusing Orb\u00e1n of overseeing a nepotistic system of oligarchs that enrich themselves through unfairly awarded government contracts.<\/p>\n<p>He has particularly targeted Antal Rogan, a close Orb\u00e1n ally who is responsible for the government's communications as well as the country's secret services. The recording released Tuesday purports to show that Rogan led the effort to alter evidence.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1711454019,"updatedAt":1711536641,"publishedAt":1711458607,"firstPublishedAt":1711458607,"lastPublishedAt":1711536641,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Denes Erdos\/AP","altText":"Former Hungarian government insider Peter Magyar gives a speech next tot Kossut Lajos Square on Tuesdy, in Budapest, Hungary, March 26, 2024. ","callToActionText":null,"width":4088,"caption":"Former Hungarian government insider Peter Magyar gives a speech next tot Kossut Lajos Square on Tuesdy, in Budapest, Hungary, March 26, 2024. ","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_79123002-7eb4-57f6-99ab-7703352c718b-8331000.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2299},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","altText":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n gives a speech on the steps of the National Museum in Budapest.","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n gives a speech on the steps of the National Museum in Budapest.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8f6a3046-344f-5b71-ae84-1a01c92ca8e9-8331000.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Denes Erdos","altText":"Former Hungarian government insider Peter Magyar arrives at the Public Prosecutor's office in Budapest.","callToActionText":null,"width":7093,"caption":"Former Hungarian government insider Peter Magyar arrives at the Public Prosecutor's office in Budapest.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/10\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_16b3f51d-bf21-58b2-89d6-3bd97a2d2c4d-8331000.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":3992}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"},{"urlSafeValue":"corruption","titleRaw":"Corruption","id":4988,"title":"Corruption","slug":"corruption"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2483774}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gt_negative','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low','neg_facebook_q4','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','gs_law','neg_saudiaramco','gt_negative_dislike','gv_crime','gs_family','neg_facebook_neg14','gs_family_divorce','neg_facebook','gt_negative_anger'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"HUNGARY CORRUPTION","path":"\/2024\/03\/26\/hungarian-whistleblower-releases-audio-suggesting-corruption-in-embattled-orban-government","lastModified":1711536641},{"id":2496948,"cid":8297804,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240311_NWSU_55018177","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary inaugurates new head of state ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary inaugurates new head of state ","titleListing2":"Hungary inaugurates new head of state ","leadin":"Tamas Sulyok has been inaugurated as Hungary's new president after his predecessor stepped down following a child abuse scandal.","summary":"Tamas Sulyok has been inaugurated as Hungary's new president after his predecessor stepped down following a child abuse scandal.","keySentence":"","url":"hungary-inaugurates-new-head-of-state","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/03\/11\/hungary-inaugurates-new-head-of-state","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Sulyok, previously head of Hungary's Constitutional Court, was nominated as President by Hungary's ruling Fidesz party.\u00a0 \n\nHe was inaugurated on Sunday in a ceremony in front of Sandor Palace in Budapest.\u00a0 \n\nDuring he speech he said,\u00a0\"My task and service from now on are different from what I have done before, but the core values remain the same as those to which I have always adhered firmly and faithfully.\" \n\n\"As President of the Republic, the Fundamental Law is the cornerstone, framework, and measure of my work.'' \n\nHungary's previous president Katalin Novak stepped down in February following public outcry after she pardoned a man who had been convicted as an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case.\u00a0 \n\nThe controversial decision caused mass protests and threatened the power of Hungary's ruling Viktor Orban.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cThe year 2024 could not have started in a worse way. Our President of the Republic has submitted her resignation to Parliament. This is like a nightmare, and it is taking a toll on us all,\u201d the Hungarian premier said in his State of the Union address in February. \u201cWe must submit to the National Assembly a new legislative package on child protection.'' \n\nSulyok has been a judge of the Constitutional Court since 2014. Following his election as Hungary's new head of state he promised transparency in his decisions.\u00a0 \n\nDespite having the backing of the ruling party, the opposition has criticised Sulyok for having little political experience. A protest orchestrated by four opposition parties on the Sunday of his inauguration called for direct presidential elections.\u00a0 \n\nThe role of president in Hungary is largely ceremonial, though they do have the power to send bills back to lawmakers or to the Constitutional Court for review. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Sulyok, previously head of Hungary's Constitutional Court, was nominated as President by Hungary's ruling Fidesz party.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He was inaugurated on Sunday in a ceremony in front of Sandor Palace in Budapest.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>During he speech he said,\u00a0\"My task and service from now on are different from what I have done before, but the core values remain the same as those to which I have always adhered firmly and faithfully.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"As President of the Republic, the Fundamental Law is the cornerstone, framework, and measure of my work.''<\/p>\n<p>Hungary's previous president Katalin Novak stepped down in February following public outcry after she pardoned a man who had been convicted as an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The controversial decision caused mass protests and threatened the power of Hungary's ruling Viktor Orban.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe year 2024 could not have started in a worse way. Our President of the Republic has submitted her resignation to Parliament. This is like a nightmare, and it is taking a toll on us all,\u201d the Hungarian premier said in his State of the Union address in February. \u201cWe must submit to the National Assembly a new legislative package on child protection.''<\/p>\n<p>Sulyok has been a judge of the Constitutional Court since 2014. Following his election as Hungary's new head of state he promised transparency in his decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Despite having the backing of the ruling party, the opposition has criticised Sulyok for having little political experience. A protest orchestrated by four opposition parties on the Sunday of his inauguration called for direct presidential elections.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The role of president in Hungary is largely ceremonial, though they do have the power to send bills back to lawmakers or to the Constitutional Court for review.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1710112058,"updatedAt":1710143304,"publishedAt":1710140842,"firstPublishedAt":1710140845,"lastPublishedAt":1710140845,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","altText":"Hungary's newly elected president Tamas Sulyok gives a ceremonial speech at his inauguration ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, March 10, 2024.","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Hungary's newly elected president Tamas Sulyok gives a ceremonial speech at his inauguration ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, March 10, 2024.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/29\/78\/04\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4ba4c413-d4a0-57b7-b289-5625df1cb29e-8297804.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"paternoster","twitter":null,"title":"Tamsin Paternoster"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"protests-in-hungary","titleRaw":"protests in Hungary","id":18300,"title":"protests in Hungary","slug":"protests-in-hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"},{"urlSafeValue":"democracy","titleRaw":"Democracy","id":12581,"title":"Democracy","slug":"democracy"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2490528},{"id":2486948},{"id":2485218}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8u7js0","youtubeId":"pEimZm33yIA"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":35000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":4467540,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/03\/11\/en\/240311_NWSU_55018177_55018213_35000_084315_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":35000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":6729556,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/03\/11\/en\/240311_NWSU_55018177_55018213_35000_084315_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world 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Hungary President Inauguration","path":"\/2024\/03\/11\/hungary-inaugurates-new-head-of-state","lastModified":1710140845},{"id":2489496,"cid":8275862,"versionId":6,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240229_NWSU_54929588","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"A cinematic feast: Budapest hosts Francophone Film Days festival ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"A cinematic feast: Budapest hosts Francophone Film Days festival ","titleListing2":"A cinematic feast: Budapest hosts Francophone Film Days festival ","leadin":"14th Francophone Film Days in Budapest feature Oscar & Cesar nominees, celebrating French cinema until Mar 10, expanding to 16 cities","summary":"14th Francophone Film Days in Budapest feature Oscar & Cesar nominees, celebrating French cinema until Mar 10, expanding to 16 cities","keySentence":"","url":"a-cinematic-feast-budapest-hosts-francophone-film-days-festival","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/02\/29\/a-cinematic-feast-budapest-hosts-francophone-film-days-festival","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Oscar and Cesar award-nominee films are set to be screened at the 14th edition of the Francophone Film Days in Budapest.\u00a0 \n\nThe film festival aims to show the year's best French-speaking films, among them titles like\u00a0 The Three Musketeers: Milady . Participants will be able to meet the directors and actors of several of the 25 films expected to screen in the Hungarian capital. \n\n\"The French language, it is something that so many people across the world have in common,\"\u00a0Claire Legras, Ambassador of France in Budapest, said. \n\n\"So it is really a language with proud history, a language for today and a language for tomorrow. So we will now have the cinematographic celebration of francophonie.\" \n\nThe Francophone Film Days will run until 10 March in Budapest. A selection of the programme will be screened in 16 cities in the countryside in the coming weeks. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Oscar and Cesar award-nominee films are set to be screened at the 14th edition of the Francophone Film Days in Budapest.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The film festival aims to show the year's best French-speaking films, among them titles like\u00a0<em>The Three Musketeers: Milady<\/em>. Participants will be able to meet the directors and actors of several of the 25 films expected to screen in the Hungarian capital.<\/p>\n<p>\"The French language, it is something that so many people across the world have in common,\"\u00a0Claire Legras, Ambassador of France in Budapest, said.<\/p>\n<p>\"So it is really a language with proud history, a language for today and a language for tomorrow. So we will now have the cinematographic celebration of francophonie.\"<\/p>\n<p>The Francophone Film Days will run until 10 March in Budapest. A selection of the programme will be screened in 16 cities in the countryside in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1709212643,"updatedAt":1709722464,"publishedAt":1709223429,"firstPublishedAt":1709223432,"lastPublishedAt":1709722463,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Frankof\u00f3n Filmnapok","altText":"A still from 'Rise (En Corps)', directed by C\u00e9dric Klapisch.","callToActionText":null,"width":1023,"caption":"A still from 'Rise (En Corps)', directed by C\u00e9dric Klapisch.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/47\/44\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f3631e1f-02d5-590f-bc9d-e3f112db4d09-8274744.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":575}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"film-awards","titleRaw":"Film Awards","id":11836,"title":"Film 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FILM FESTIVAL IN BUDAPEST","path":"\/2024\/02\/29\/a-cinematic-feast-budapest-hosts-francophone-film-days-festival","lastModified":1709722463},{"id":2487444,"cid":8268208,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240226_NWSU_54904327","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Swedish PM hails country's accession to NATO as a 'historic day'","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"The Swedish PM hailed his country's accession to NATO as a 'historic day', after Hungary's parliament ratified Sweden's bid to join the military alliance.","leadin":"Sweden is to become the 32nd member of the NATO alliance.","summary":"Sweden is to become the 32nd member of the NATO alliance.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarys-parliament-has-ratified-swedens-bid-to-join-nato","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/02\/26\/hungarys-parliament-has-ratified-swedens-bid-to-join-nato","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the country \"stands ready to shoulder its responsibility\" after the Hungarian parliament brought an end to more than 18 months of delays that have frustrated the alliance as it seeks to expand in response to Russia's war in Ukraine. \n\n\"Today is a historic day. The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favour of Swedish accession to NATO. Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security,\"\u00a0Kristersson wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. \n\nHungary's parliament had then just cleared the last major obstacle to the Nordic country's NATO membership by greenlighting its accession to the military alliance. \n\nThe vote, which passed with 188 votes for and six against, came as a culmination of months of wrangling by Hungary's allies to convince its nationalist government to lift its block on Sweden's membership. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n submitted the protocols for approving Sweden's entry into NATO in July 2022, but the matter had stalled in parliament over opposition by governing party lawmakers. \n\nUnanimous support among all NATO members is required to admit new countries, and Hungary is the last of the alliance\u2019s 31 members to give its backing since Turkey ratified the request last month. \n\nThe move was applauded by outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. \"I welcome the Hungarian parliament\u2019s vote to ratify Sweden\u2019s membership in NATO. Now that all Allies have approved, Sweden will become the 32nd NATO Ally. Sweden\u2019s membership will make us all stronger and safer,\" he said on X. \n\nOrb\u00e1n, a right-wing populist who has forged close ties with Russia, has said that criticism of Hungary's democracy by Swedish politicians had soured relations between the two countries and led to reluctance among lawmakers in his Fidesz party. \n\nBut the vote on Monday removed the final membership hurdle for Sweden which, along with neighbouring Finland, first applied to join the alliance in May 2022. \n\nAddressing lawmakers before the vote, Orb\u00e1n said: \u201cSweden and Hungary\u2019s military cooperation and Sweden\u2019s NATO accession strengthen Hungary\u2019s security.\u201d \n\nOrb\u00e1n criticised Hungary's European Union and NATO allies for placing increased pressure on his government in recent months to move forward on bringing Sweden into the alliance. \n\n\u201cSeveral people tried to intervene from the outside in the settling of our disputes (with Sweden), but this did not help but rather hampered the issue,\" Orb\u00e1n said. \"Hungary is a sovereign country, it does not tolerate being dictated by others, whether it be the content of its decisions or their timing.\u201d \n\nLast weekend, a bipartisan group of US senators visited Hungary and announced it would submit a joint resolution to Congress condemning Hungary\u2019s alleged democratic backsliding and urging Orb\u00e1n\u2019s government to immediately lift its block on Sweden\u2019s trans-Atlantic integration. \n\nBut on Friday, Ulf Kristersson, Sweden's prime minister, met with Orb\u00e1n in Hungary's capital where they appeared to reach a decisive reconciliation after months of diplomatic tensions. \n\nFollowing their meeting, the leaders announced the conclusion of a defence industry agreement that will include Hungary's purchase of four Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jets and the extension of a service contract for its existing Gripen fleet. \n\nOrb\u00e1n said the additional fighter jets \u201cwill significantly increase our military capabilities and further strengthen our role abroad\u201d and will improve Hungary\u2019s ability to participate in joint NATO operations. \n\n\u201cTo be a member of NATO together with another country means we are ready to die for each other,\u201d Orb\u00e1n said. \u201cA deal on defence and military capacities helps to reconstruct the trust between the two countries.\u201d \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the country \"stands ready to shoulder its responsibility\" after the Hungarian parliament brought an end to more than 18 months of delays that have frustrated the alliance as it seeks to expand in response to Russia's war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>\"Today is a historic day. The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favour of Swedish accession to NATO. Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security,\"\u00a0Kristersson wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1762142835963257250\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Hungary's parliament had then just cleared the last major obstacle to the Nordic country's NATO membership by greenlighting its accession to the military alliance.<\/p>\n<p>The vote, which passed with 188 votes for and six against, came as a culmination of months of wrangling by Hungary's allies to convince its nationalist government to lift its block on Sweden's membership. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n submitted the protocols for approving Sweden's entry into NATO in July 2022, but the matter had stalled in parliament over opposition by governing party lawmakers.<\/p>\n<p>Unanimous support among all NATO members is required to admit new countries, and Hungary is the last of the alliance\u2019s 31 members to give its backing since Turkey ratified the request last month.<\/p>\n<p>The move was applauded by outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. \"I welcome the Hungarian parliament\u2019s vote to ratify Sweden\u2019s membership in NATO. Now that all Allies have approved, Sweden will become the 32nd NATO Ally. Sweden\u2019s membership will make us all stronger and safer,\" he said on X.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1762143595564298361\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Orb\u00e1n, a right-wing populist who has forged close ties with Russia, has said that criticism of Hungary's democracy by Swedish politicians had soured relations between the two countries and led to reluctance among lawmakers in his Fidesz party.<\/p>\n<p>But the vote on Monday removed the final membership hurdle for Sweden which, along with neighbouring Finland, first applied to join the alliance in May 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Addressing lawmakers before the vote, Orb\u00e1n said: \u201cSweden and Hungary\u2019s military cooperation and Sweden\u2019s NATO accession strengthen Hungary\u2019s security.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n criticised Hungary's European Union and NATO allies for placing increased pressure on his government in recent months to move forward on bringing Sweden into the alliance.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSeveral people tried to intervene from the outside in the settling of our disputes (with Sweden), but this did not help but rather hampered the issue,\" Orb\u00e1n said. \"Hungary is a sovereign country, it does not tolerate being dictated by others, whether it be the content of its decisions or their timing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last weekend, a bipartisan group of US senators visited Hungary and announced it would submit a joint resolution to Congress condemning Hungary\u2019s alleged democratic backsliding and urging Orb\u00e1n\u2019s government to immediately lift its block on Sweden\u2019s trans-Atlantic integration.<\/p>\n<p>But on Friday, Ulf Kristersson, Sweden's prime minister, met with Orb\u00e1n in Hungary's capital where they appeared to reach a decisive reconciliation after months of diplomatic tensions.<\/p>\n<p>Following their meeting, the leaders announced the conclusion of a defence industry agreement that will include Hungary's purchase of four Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jets and the extension of a service contract for its existing Gripen fleet.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n said the additional fighter jets \u201cwill significantly increase our military capabilities and further strengthen our role abroad\u201d and will improve Hungary\u2019s ability to participate in joint NATO operations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo be a member of NATO together with another country means we are ready to die for each other,\u201d Orb\u00e1n said. \u201cA deal on defence and military capacities helps to reconstruct the trust between the two countries.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1708962638,"updatedAt":1709016515,"publishedAt":1708962763,"firstPublishedAt":1708962768,"lastPublishedAt":1709016515,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Magnus Lejhall\/TT News Agency via AP","altText":"Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson speaks to the press in Stockholm, Sweden, on Feb. 26, 2024, after the Hungarian parliament ratified Sweden's membership to NATO.","callToActionText":null,"width":1591,"caption":"Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson speaks to the press in Stockholm, Sweden, on Feb. 26, 2024, after the Hungarian parliament ratified Sweden's membership to NATO.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/26\/82\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1f9c32d4-f6a7-586d-ba08-af1213a1c4df-8268208.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":901},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved","altText":"A display shows results during a vote by lawmakers which is expected to approve Sweden's accession into NATO, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Feb 26, 2024. ","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"A display shows results during a vote by lawmakers which is expected to approve Sweden's accession into NATO, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Feb 26, 2024. ","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/26\/82\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3d27fd89-8c49-5085-9e6f-b9d4c2aef24f-8268208.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/04\/63\/01\/94\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c6a92aeb-53b9-5d78-a5d4-933b2961183c-4630194.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","titleRaw":"news","id":11940,"title":"news","slug":"news"},{"urlSafeValue":"nato","titleRaw":"NATO","id":205,"title":"NATO","slug":"nato"},{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor 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PARLIAMENT SWEDEN NATO","path":"\/2024\/02\/26\/hungarys-parliament-has-ratified-swedens-bid-to-join-nato","lastModified":1709016515},{"id":2486948,"cid":8266880,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240226_NWSU_54898661","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungarian Parliament set to greenlight Sweden's NATO membership 18 months after bid was first made","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungarian Parliament set to greenlight Sweden's NATO membership","titleListing2":"Hungarian Parliament set to greenlight Sweden's NATO membership 18 months after bid was first made","leadin":"Hungary's delay in ratifying Sweden's membership to the military alliance had seen is accused of trying to secure EU concessions.","summary":"Hungary's delay in ratifying Sweden's membership to the military alliance had seen is accused of trying to secure EU concessions.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarian-parliament-set-to-greenlight-swedens-nato-membership-18-months-after-bid-was-fir","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/02\/26\/hungarian-parliament-set-to-greenlight-swedens-nato-membership-18-months-after-bid-was-fir","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary\u2019s parliament is on Monday expected to ratify Sweden's membership to the NATO military alliance, giving its stamp of approval 18 months after the Scandinavian country first made a bid to join.\u00a0 \n\nHungary is the last of NATO's 31 members to approve Sweden's membership after Turkey backed the move last month. \n\nIt comes after Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson travelled to Budapest last week for a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, Prime Minister Viktor\u00a0Orb\u00e1n, during which a defence industry agreement was struck. \n\nUnder the deal, Hungary will acquire four Gripen fighter-bomber planes which Orb\u00e1n said would be \"significantly increasing our military capabilities and further strengthening our ability to play a role abroad.\"\u00a0 \n\nJoining NATO requires unanimity from all its members, and so the vote on Monday will remove the last hurdle to Sweden's accession. \n\nSweden, like neighbouring Finland, made its bid to join the alliance within weeks of Russia launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, dropping decades of neutrality.\u00a0 \n\nBut unlike Finland, its bid was delayed as both Ankara and Budapest sought concessions. \n\nTurkey accused Sweden of being\u00a0soft toward supporters of Kurdish militants and other groups in Sweden that Ankara views as security threats which led Stockholm to\u00a0tighten its anti-terrorism laws, making support for extremist organisations punishable by up to eight years in prison. \n\nNATO also agreed to\u00a0establish a special coordinator for counterterrorism and appointed Assistant Secretary-General Tom Goffus to the position. \n\nBudapest, meanwhile, took aim at what it described as \"blatant lies\" from Swedish politicians about the condition of Hungary\u2019s democracy.\u00a0 \n\nHungary's stance had drawn accusations it was trying to use Sweden's NATO membership bid to carve concessions at the EU level.\u00a0 \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary\u2019s parliament is on Monday expected to ratify Sweden's membership to the NATO military alliance, giving its stamp of approval 18 months after the Scandinavian country first made a bid to join.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hungary is the last of NATO's 31 members to approve Sweden's membership after Turkey <strong><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//01//23//turkeys-parliament-approves-swedens-nato-membership/">backed the move last month.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It comes after Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson travelled to Budapest last week for a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, Prime Minister Viktor\u00a0Orb\u00e1n, during which a defence industry agreement was struck.<\/p>\n<p>Under the deal, Hungary will acquire four Gripen fighter-bomber planes which Orb\u00e1n said would be \"significantly increasing our military capabilities and further strengthening our ability to play a role abroad.\"\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1761113954745548887\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Joining NATO requires unanimity from all its members, and so the vote on Monday will remove the last hurdle to Sweden's accession.<\/p>\n<p>Sweden, like neighbouring Finland, made its bid to join the alliance within weeks of Russia launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, dropping decades of neutrality.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But unlike Finland, its bid was delayed as both Ankara and Budapest sought concessions.<\/p>\n<p>Turkey accused Sweden of being\u00a0soft toward supporters of Kurdish militants and other groups in Sweden that Ankara views as security threats which led Stockholm to\u00a0tighten its anti-terrorism laws, making support for extremist organisations punishable by up to eight years in prison.<\/p>\n<p>NATO also agreed to\u00a0establish a special coordinator for counterterrorism and appointed Assistant Secretary-General Tom Goffus to the position.<\/p>\n<p>Budapest, meanwhile, took aim at what it described as \"blatant lies\" from Swedish politicians about the condition of Hungary\u2019s democracy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hungary's stance had drawn accusations it was trying to use Sweden's NATO membership bid to carve concessions at the EU level.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1708940505,"updatedAt":1708942738,"publishedAt":1708942735,"firstPublishedAt":1708942738,"lastPublishedAt":1708942738,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Denes Erdos","altText":"Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, left, shakes hands with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Feb 23, 2024. ","callToActionText":null,"width":1589,"caption":"Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, left, shakes hands with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Feb 23, 2024. ","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/26\/68\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7f8ede71-5e6e-5271-bb07-b02f196a4dec-8266880.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":915}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"tidey","twitter":"@alicetidey","title":"Alice Tidey"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"nato","titleRaw":"NATO","id":205,"title":"NATO","slug":"nato"},{"urlSafeValue":"sweden","titleRaw":"Sweden","id":7812,"title":"Sweden","slug":"sweden"},{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"twitter"}],"related":[{"id":2462538},{"id":2462256},{"id":2496948}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"my-europe","id":2,"title":"My Europe","slug":"my-europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"My Europe"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","id":"europe-news","title":"Europe 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gb_safe_from_high','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','neg_saudiaramco','neg_mobkoi_fb-weareonit_fs_28feb2019','mofa_feb24_eng','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gb_terrorism_high_med','gb_terrorism_high_med_low','gb_terrorism_news-ent','neg_facebook_q4','neg_intel_mobkoi','neg_ukraine_russia_war','gs_law','gv_terrorism','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gv_military','gs_busfin_indus','gs_busfin_indus_defense','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"HUNGARY PARLIAMENT PREVIEW","path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/02\/26\/hungarian-parliament-set-to-greenlight-swedens-nato-membership-18-months-after-bid-was-fir","lastModified":1708942738},{"id":2486834,"cid":8266100,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240226_NWSU_54897070","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary's opposition lead protest against Orb\u00e1n's leadership","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary's opposition lead protest against Orb\u00e1n's leadership","titleListing2":"Opposition protests on streets of Budapest","leadin":"Opposition leaders demonstrated against Viktor Orb\u00e1n's government in Budapest on Sunday over the alleged improper use of state pardons.","summary":"Opposition leaders demonstrated against Viktor Orb\u00e1n's government in Budapest on Sunday over the alleged improper use of state pardons.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarys-opposition-lead-protest-against-orbans-leadership","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/02\/26\/hungarys-opposition-lead-protest-against-orbans-leadership","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"At the event held at Kossuth Lajos Square in front of Parliament, speakers from the\u00a0Democratic Coalition (DK), Momentum, the Socialist Party and Parbeszed criticised Orb\u00e1n's rule, as well as a pardon granted by outgoing President Katalin Nov\u00e1k to the deputy head of a children\u2019s home convicted of covering up child abuse. \n\nThe protests are the latest in a series engulfing the Hungarian leader, who is facing the greatest political crisis of his 14-year premiership. \n\nNov\u00e1k and former Justice Minister Judit Varga stepped down earlier this month after it was revealed a man who covered up child sexual abuses had been pardoned by the state. \n\nEndre K, a former deputy director of a state-run children's home, was pardoned by President Nov\u00e1k last year ahead of a visit by Pope Francis. The pardon was then made public earlier this February. \n\nKlara Dobrev, DK\u2019s shadow prime minister, said:\u00a0\u201cOrb\u00e1n must go; it is Orb\u00e1n\u2019s regime that must fall, otherwise the paedophile ring will\u00a0remain.\" \n\nShe called for\u00a0\u201ca presidential election coup\u201d that she said was needed\u00a0\u201cbecause Viktor Orb\u00e1n is afraid of the people\u201d. \n\nDK is Hungary's largest opposition party. \n\nOrb\u00e1n is currently facing a host of political pressures: a steady rise in unemployment , farmers' protests , as well as internal\u00a0 tension with NATO to ratify Sweden's bid to join the alliance. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>At the event held at Kossuth Lajos Square in front of Parliament, speakers from the\u00a0Democratic Coalition (DK), Momentum, the Socialist Party and Parbeszed criticised Orb\u00e1n's rule, as well as a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//02//15//hundreds-call-on-viktor-orban-to-step-down-over-child-sex-abuse-pardon/">pardon granted by outgoing President Katalin Nov\u00e1k to the deputy head of a children\u2019s home convicted of covering up child abuse.<\/p>\n<p>The protests are the latest in a series engulfing the Hungarian leader, who is facing the greatest political crisis of his 14-year premiership.<\/p>\n<p>Nov\u00e1k and former Justice Minister Judit Varga stepped down earlier this month after it was revealed a man who covered up child sexual abuses had been pardoned by the state.<\/p>\n<p>Endre K, a former deputy director of a state-run children's home, was pardoned by President Nov\u00e1k last year ahead of a visit by Pope Francis. The pardon was then made public earlier this February.<\/p>\n<p>Klara Dobrev, DK\u2019s shadow prime minister, said:\u00a0\u201cOrb\u00e1n must go; it is Orb\u00e1n\u2019s regime that must fall, otherwise the paedophile ring will\u00a0remain.\"<\/p>\n<p>She called for\u00a0\u201ca presidential election coup\u201d that she said was needed\u00a0\u201cbecause Viktor Orb\u00e1n is afraid of the people\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>DK is Hungary's largest opposition party.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n is currently facing a host of political pressures: a steady rise in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2024//02//23//unemployment-in-hungary-continues-to-climb/">unemployment, farmers' <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//02//23//farmers-from-12-eu-countries-continue-to-protest-agricultural-policies/">protests, as well as internal\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//02//20//hungarys-ruling-party-says-its-ready-to-approve-swedens-nato-membership-on-monday/">tension with NATO to ratify Sweden's bid to join the alliance.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1708890985,"updatedAt":1708930289,"publishedAt":1708929352,"firstPublishedAt":1708929235,"lastPublishedAt":1708929363,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Associated Press","altText":"People attend a protest at Heroes' Square in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Feb 16, 2024","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"People attend a protest at Heroes' Square in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Feb 16, 2024","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/70\/04\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e9088723-5666-5d76-afe6-bda127326076-8247004.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"budapest","titleRaw":"Budapest","id":1764,"title":"Budapest","slug":"budapest"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"},{"urlSafeValue":"protestas","titleRaw":"Protests","id":27110,"title":"Protests","slug":"protestas"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2468394},{"id":2490528}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"Vbf-jn0EYos","dailymotionId":"x8tbkak"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":7915754,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/02\/26\/en\/240226_NWSU_54897070_54897095_60000_074434_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":11883754,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/02\/26\/en\/240226_NWSU_54897070_54897095_60000_074434_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_sensitive_edu','gb_sensitive_high_med','gb_sensitive_high_med_low','gb_sensitive_news-ent','gb_safe_from_high','gs_society_misc','gs_society','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gt_mixed','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','gt_positive_happiness','gt_negative_anger'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"HUNGARY OPPOSITION DEMO","path":"\/2024\/02\/26\/hungarys-opposition-lead-protest-against-orbans-leadership","lastModified":1708929363},{"id":2485218,"cid":8261216,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240223_ECSU_54880064","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary sees steady but consistent rise in unemployment ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary sees steady but consistent rise in unemployment ","titleListing2":"Hungary sees steady but consistent rise in unemployment ","leadin":"Hungary has seen a steady but consistent rise in unemployment since mid-2022, as it dealt with the fallout from economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.","summary":"Hungary has seen a steady but consistent rise in unemployment since mid-2022, as it dealt with the fallout from economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.","keySentence":"","url":"unemployment-in-hungary-continues-to-climb","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2024\/02\/23\/unemployment-in-hungary-continues-to-climb","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary's unemployment rate jumped to 4.6% from November to January, up from 4% in the same period the previous year. \n\nThe increase means that the number of people out of work aged 15-74 has gone up by 30,000 to 226,000, according to new figures released by Hungary's central statistics office on Friday. \n\nThe office said that of the total number of unemployed people in Hungary, 121,500 were men, with their unemployment rate rising to 4.7%. \n\nSome 104,300 women were also out of work, with their rate up to 4.5%. \n\nThe statistics mark a steady but consistent rise in unemployment since mid-2022, as Hungary, like the rest of Europe, dealt with the fallout from economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. \n\nThe number of people in work meanwhile has increased by 13,000, bringing Hungary's grand employment total to 4.7 million. \n\nThe domestic primary labour market employed 4.6 million people, according to official figures, 17,000 more than a year earlier. \n\nThe number of people working abroad was essentially unchanged at 105,000, while the number of public workers decreased by 8,000 to 63,000. \n\nThe central statistical office also highlighted that the average time spent looking for a job was 9.3 months and that 43% of the unemployed had been looking for a job for at least a year. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary's unemployment rate jumped to 4.6% from November to January, up from 4% in the same period the previous year.<\/p>\n<p>The increase means that the number of people out of work aged 15-74 has gone up by 30,000 to 226,000, according to new figures released by Hungary's central statistics office on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>The office said that of the total number of unemployed people in Hungary, 121,500 were men, with their unemployment rate rising to 4.7%.<\/p>\n<p>Some 104,300 women were also out of work, with their rate up to 4.5%.<\/p>\n<p>The statistics mark a steady but consistent rise in unemployment since mid-2022, as Hungary, like the rest of Europe, dealt with the fallout from economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8213356,8162694,8161590\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2024//01//10//global-unemployment-expected-to-grow-this-year-despite-dip-in-2023/">Global unemployment expected to grow this year, despite dip in 2023<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2024//02//02//why-is-spain-struggling-with-increasing-unemployment/">Why is Spain struggling with increasing unemployment?<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2024//01//10//ireland-sees-slight-increase-in-unemployment-figures/">Ireland sees slight increase in unemployment figures<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The number of people in work meanwhile has increased by 13,000, bringing Hungary's grand employment total to 4.7 million.<\/p>\n<p>The domestic primary labour market employed 4.6 million people, according to official figures, 17,000 more than a year earlier.<\/p>\n<p>The number of people working abroad was essentially unchanged at 105,000, while the number of public workers decreased by 8,000 to 63,000.<\/p>\n<p>The central statistical office also highlighted that the average time spent looking for a job was 9.3 months and that 43% of the unemployed had been looking for a job for at least a year.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1708677426,"updatedAt":1708685338,"publishedAt":1708682122,"firstPublishedAt":1708682126,"lastPublishedAt":1708685338,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","altText":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for an annual international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for an annual international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/26\/12\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8657fcaf-f6fa-5073-866a-9939781c4b52-8261216.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"economy","titleRaw":"Economy","id":572,"title":"Economy","slug":"economy"},{"urlSafeValue":"unemployment","titleRaw":"Unemployment","id":289,"title":"Unemployment","slug":"unemployment"},{"urlSafeValue":"employment","titleRaw":"employment","id":17322,"title":"employment","slug":"employment"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2490528},{"id":2496948}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/economy\/economy"},"vertical":"business","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":11,"title":"Business","slug":"business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"economy","id":"economy","title":"Economy","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/economy"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":72,"urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe_from_high','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gs_business','gs_business_careers','gs_busfin','gs_busfin_economy','gs_covid19','neg_coronavirus','neg_audible_eng','neg_intel_en','mofa_feb24_eng','neg_intel_mobkoi','neg_ukraine_russia_war','shadow9hu7_pos_ukraine-russia','gt_negative_sadness','gt_negative','gs_busfin_economy_jobmarket','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"BUSINESS HUNGARY UNEMPLOYMENT","path":"\/business\/2024\/02\/23\/unemployment-in-hungary-continues-to-climb","lastModified":1708685338},{"id":2482644,"cid":8253006,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240220_NWSU_54849704","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary's ruling party says it's ready to approve Sweden's NATO membership on Monday","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary says it's ready to approve Sweden's NATO accession","titleListing2":"Hungary's ruling party says it's ready to approve Sweden's NATO membership on Monday","leadin":"Hungary is the only one of NATO's 31 existing members not to have ratified Sweden's application.","summary":"Hungary is the only one of NATO's 31 existing members not to have ratified Sweden's application.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarys-ruling-party-says-its-ready-to-approve-swedens-nato-membership-on-monday","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/02\/20\/hungarys-ruling-party-says-its-ready-to-approve-swedens-nato-membership-on-monday","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A vote in Hungary's parliament to ratify the country's bid to join NATO could come as early as next Monday, according to a senior member of the country's ruling Fidesz party. That would end more than 18 months of delays by the nationalist government that have frustrated Hungary's allies. \n\nIn a letter to the speaker of parliament on Tuesday, Fidesz parliamentary group leader M\u00e1t\u00e9 Kocsis called for the vote to be scheduled for the opening day of the spring session, which begins at the start of next week. \n\nKocsis wrote that Fidesz, which has repeatedly blocked a vote on the issue, would opt to support Sweden's bid to join the transatlantic military alliance. \n\nWith Turkey having dropped its long-held opposition, Hungary is the only one of NATO's 31 existing members not to have ratified Sweden's application. \n\nThe Hungarian government is under growing pressure to act after delaying the move for more than a year, as the admission of a new country to the military alliance requires unanimous approval. \n\nOn Sunday, a bipartisan group of US senators visited Hungary and said they would introduce a joint resolution in Congress condemning alleged democratic backsliding in the country and urging Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n to approve Sweden's accession as soon as possible. \n\nSenator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, said in Budapest on Sunday that members of the Hungarian government and Fidesz had refused to meet with the delegation \u2013 something he called \"strange and concerning\" \u2013 but said the onus was on the long-serving leader to push for a vote. \n\n\"We are smart enough about politics here to know that if Prime Minister Orb\u00e1n wants this to happen, then parliament can move forward,\" he said. \n\nOrb\u00e1n has faced isolation for blocking key decisions by his international allies, including putting up roadblocks to EU funding for cash-strapped Ukraine. But in a state of the nation address in Budapest on Saturday, Orb\u00e1n hinted that Hungary's legislature may soon relent. \n\n\"It is good news that our dispute with Sweden is coming to an end,\" he said. \"We are moving towards ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO at the beginning of the spring parliamentary session.\" \n\nSwedish Defence Minister P\u00e5l Jonson said in Stockholm that the news of the vote \"is \u00a0of course very welcome\". \n\n","htmlText":"<p>A vote in Hungary's parliament to ratify the country's bid to join NATO could come as early as next Monday, according to a senior member of the country's ruling Fidesz party. That would end more than 18 months of delays by the nationalist government that have frustrated Hungary's allies.<\/p>\n<p>In a letter to the speaker of parliament on Tuesday, Fidesz parliamentary group leader M\u00e1t\u00e9 Kocsis called for the vote to be scheduled for the opening day of the spring session, which begins at the start of next week.<\/p>\n<p>Kocsis wrote that Fidesz, which has repeatedly blocked a vote on the issue, would opt to support Sweden's bid to join the transatlantic military alliance.<\/p>\n<p>With Turkey having dropped its long-held opposition, Hungary is the only one of NATO's 31 existing members not to have ratified Sweden's application.<\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian government is under growing pressure to act after delaying the move for more than a year, as the admission of a new country to the military alliance requires unanimous approval.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8231282\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//02//10//sweden-sends-troops-to-nato-frontline-as-military-gears-up-for-membership/">Sweden sends troops to NATO frontline as military gears up for membership<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On Sunday, a bipartisan group of US senators visited Hungary and said they would introduce a joint resolution in Congress condemning alleged democratic backsliding in the country and urging Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n to approve Sweden's accession as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, said in Budapest on Sunday that members of the Hungarian government and Fidesz had refused to meet with the delegation \u2013 something he called \"strange and concerning\" \u2013 but said the onus was on the long-serving leader to push for a vote.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are smart enough about politics here to know that if Prime Minister Orb\u00e1n wants this to happen, then parliament can move forward,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n has faced isolation for blocking key decisions by his international allies, including putting up roadblocks to EU funding for cash-strapped Ukraine. But in a state of the nation address in Budapest on Saturday, Orb\u00e1n hinted that Hungary's legislature may soon relent.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is good news that our dispute with Sweden is coming to an end,\" he said. \"We are moving towards ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO at the beginning of the spring parliamentary session.\"<\/p>\n<p>Swedish Defence Minister P\u00e5l Jonson said in Stockholm that the news of the vote \"is\u00a0of course very welcome\".<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1708419398,"updatedAt":1708448772,"publishedAt":1708429840,"firstPublishedAt":1708429864,"lastPublishedAt":1708429864,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Olivier Matthys, File","altText":"Flags of NATO alliance members flap in the wind outside NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Feb. 28, 2020.","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Flags of NATO alliance members flap in the wind outside NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Feb. 28, 2020.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/25\/30\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1e29488f-c14c-5451-bffb-0b7304c09ce4-8253010.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1280}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"sweden","titleRaw":"Sweden","id":7812,"title":"Sweden","slug":"sweden"},{"urlSafeValue":"nato","titleRaw":"NATO","id":205,"title":"NATO","slug":"nato"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2463838},{"id":2318742}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"CZPNdY3hAIc","dailymotionId":"x8t0dkm"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":35000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":4691808,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/02\/20\/en\/240220_NWSU_54849704_54849763_35000_132751_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":35000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":6972768,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/02\/20\/en\/240220_NWSU_54849704_54849763_35000_132751_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_science','gs_politics','gs_science_geography','gs_politics_misc','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_busfin'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"SHORT HUNGARY VOTE ON SWEDEN NATO ACCESSION","path":"\/2024\/02\/20\/hungarys-ruling-party-says-its-ready-to-approve-swedens-nato-membership-on-monday","lastModified":1708429864},{"id":2479370,"cid":8243006,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240215_NWSU_54813261","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hundreds call on Viktor Orb\u00e1n to step down over child sex abuse pardon","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hundreds call for Orb\u00e1n resignation over child sex abuse pardon","titleListing2":"Hundreds call for Orb\u00e1n resignation over child sex abuse pardon","leadin":"The Hungarian leader is facing the greatest political crisis of his 14-year premiership.","summary":"The Hungarian leader is facing the greatest political crisis of his 14-year premiership.","keySentence":"","url":"hundreds-call-on-viktor-orban-to-step-down-over-child-sex-abuse-pardon","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/02\/15\/hundreds-call-on-viktor-orban-to-step-down-over-child-sex-abuse-pardon","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Budapest calling on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n to step down, after a presidential pardon in a child sexual abuse case sparked outrage across the country. \n\nHungary's President Katalin Nov\u00e1k and former Justice Minister Judit Varga stepped down over the weekend after revelations a man who covered up child sexual abuses had been pardoned by the state. \n\nEndre K, a former deputy director of a state-run children's home, was pardoned by President Nov\u00e1k last year ahead of a visit by Pope Francis. The pardon was made public earlier this February. \n\nThe scandal has rocked Hungary's political elite and represents the biggest threat to Orb\u00e1n's grip on power since he took office in 2010. \n\nBoth\u00a0Nov\u00e1k and Varga were among Orb\u00e1n's closest allies, and symbols of the conservative, Christian values that his government promotes. They were among the few high-ranking women in his otherwise male-dominated political circle. \n\nWhile Orb\u00e1n has so far kept silent on the issue, pressure is now mounting on the prime minister. \n\nThere have been few such episodes of turmoil in Orb\u00e1n's premiership. He has consolidated his own and his Fidesz party's popularity by passing laws designed to silence critics and curb media freedom. \n\nJudit Varga, the then justice minister who endorsed the pardon, was due to lead Fidesz' list for the upcoming European elections in June. \n\nAn outspoken critic of Brussels, her downfall is seen as a setback to Orb\u00e1n ahead of the ballot, where according to polls his party could increase its already impressive seat number from 13 to 14. \n\nIn a sign of potential unraveling within the ruling party,\u00a0P\u00e9ter Magyar, Varga's ex-husband and a close ally of the government, publicly denounced the country's political elite. \n\nIn an interview with\u00a0Partizan YouTube channel, he levelled serious allegations of corruption and cronyism against the government. \n\n\"This cannot go on,\" Magyar said, questioning whether it was normal \u201ca few families\" owned \"half the country.\" \n\nOrb\u00e1n secured a fourth term in office in 2022 when his Fidesz party won\u00a053.7% of the popular vote in the general election. \n\nHis sceptical stance on Western support for Ukraine and his Hungary-first policies have helped him consolidate power. \n\nBut his provocative foreign policy strategies have recently sparked backlash, particularly in Brussels. Orb\u00e1n threatened to singlehandedly derail the EU's \u20ac50-billion aid package to Ukraine at a December summit, before rowing back on his threats in February. He is also holding up the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Budapest calling on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n to step down, after a presidential pardon in a child sexual abuse case sparked outrage across the country.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary's President Katalin Nov\u00e1k and former Justice Minister Judit Varga stepped down over the weekend after revelations a man who covered up child sexual abuses had been pardoned by the state.<\/p>\n<p>Endre K, a former deputy director of a state-run children's home, was pardoned by President Nov\u00e1k last year ahead of a visit by Pope Francis. The pardon was made public earlier this February.<\/p>\n<p>The scandal has rocked Hungary's political elite and represents the biggest threat to Orb\u00e1n's grip on power since he took office in 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Both\u00a0Nov\u00e1k and Varga were among Orb\u00e1n's closest allies, and symbols of the conservative, Christian values that his government promotes. They were among the few high-ranking women in his otherwise male-dominated political circle.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//24//30//06//808x454_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg/" alt=\"Pope Franci is welcomed by Hungary President Katalin Nov\u00e1k and Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, April 2023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/384x216_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/640x360_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/750x422_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/828x466_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/1080x608_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/1200x675_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/1920x1080_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Pope Franci is welcomed by Hungary President Katalin Nov\u00e1k and Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, April 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Andrew Medichini\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While Orb\u00e1n has so far kept silent on the issue, pressure is now mounting on the prime minister.<\/p>\n<p>There have been few such episodes of turmoil in Orb\u00e1n's premiership. He has consolidated his own and his Fidesz party's popularity by passing laws designed to silence critics and curb media freedom.<\/p>\n<p>Judit Varga, the then justice minister who endorsed the pardon, was due to lead Fidesz' list for the upcoming European elections in June.<\/p>\n<p>An outspoken critic of Brussels, her downfall is seen as a setback to Orb\u00e1n ahead of the ballot, where according to polls his party could increase its already impressive seat number from 13 to 14.<\/p>\n<p>In a sign of potential unraveling within the ruling party,\u00a0P\u00e9ter Magyar, Varga's ex-husband and a close ally of the government, publicly denounced the country's political elite.<\/p>\n<p>In an interview with\u00a0Partizan YouTube channel, he levelled serious allegations of corruption and cronyism against the government.<\/p>\n<p>\"This cannot go on,\" Magyar said, questioning whether it was normal \u201ca few families\" owned \"half the country.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//24//30//06//808x454_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg/" alt=\"Former Hungarian justice minister Judit Varga\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/384x216_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/640x360_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/750x422_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/828x466_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/1080x608_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/1200x675_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/1920x1080_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Former Hungarian justice minister Judit Varga<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Olivier Matthys\/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Orb\u00e1n secured a fourth term in office in 2022 when his Fidesz party won\u00a053.7% of the popular vote in the general election.<\/p>\n<p>His sceptical stance on Western support for Ukraine and his Hungary-first policies have helped him consolidate power.<\/p>\n<p>But his provocative foreign policy strategies have recently sparked backlash, particularly in Brussels. Orb\u00e1n threatened to singlehandedly derail the EU's \u20ac50-billion aid package to Ukraine at a December summit, before rowing back on his threats in February. He is also holding up the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1708002737,"updatedAt":1708017873,"publishedAt":1708017869,"firstPublishedAt":1708017873,"lastPublishedAt":1708017873,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Denes Erdos\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","altText":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_56d82641-1ab7-5916-908b-c570eb9645c0-8243006.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Olivier Matthys\/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved","altText":"Former Hungarian justice minister Judit Varga","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Former Hungarian justice minister Judit Varga","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2cecafe1-17f5-52e6-9b8c-c1a4a45137bc-8243006.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Andrew Medichini\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","altText":"Pope Franci is welcomed by Hungary President Katalin Nov\u00e1k and Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, April 2023","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Pope Franci is welcomed by Hungary President Katalin Nov\u00e1k and Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, April 2023","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_66a067f0-b172-519f-ba11-82342bf94f15-8243006.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Stephanie Lecocq, Pool via AP","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2088,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/24\/30\/20\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_dff53116-938b-5f30-b211-f969e7b8a1cb-8243020.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1392}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary","id":143,"title":"Hungary","slug":"hungary"},{"urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","id":10409,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","slug":"viktor-orban"},{"urlSafeValue":"sex-scandal","titleRaw":"Sex scandal","id":9539,"title":"Sex scandal","slug":"sex-scandal"},{"urlSafeValue":"children","titleRaw":"Children","id":12073,"title":"Children","slug":"children"},{"urlSafeValue":"pardon","titleRaw":"Pardon","id":19502,"title":"Pardon","slug":"pardon"},{"urlSafeValue":"legal-institutions","titleRaw":"Legal institutions","id":9609,"title":"Legal institutions","slug":"legal-institutions"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2471806},{"id":2501102}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gt_negative','gt_negative_anger','gv_crime','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_ukrainecriris_ru','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"SHORT PROTEST IN BUDAPEST","path":"\/2024\/02\/15\/hundreds-call-on-viktor-orban-to-step-down-over-child-sex-abuse-pardon","lastModified":1708017873},{"id":2476486,"cid":8234090,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240212_E2SU_54779632","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"'Bored of the shame': Eva Szombat's joy-filled photos of Hungarian women and their sex toys","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Eva Szombat's colourful exploration of womanhood in Hungary","titleListing2":"'Bored of the shame': Eva Szombat's joy-filled photos of Hungarian women and their toys","leadin":"A project to photograph women and their sex toys became a colourful exploration of womanhood in modern Hungary. Discover Eva Szombat's award-winning photo series, \"I want orgasms, not roses\".","summary":"A project to photograph women and their sex toys became a colourful exploration of womanhood in modern Hungary. Discover Eva Szombat's award-winning photo series, \"I want orgasms, not roses\".","keySentence":"","url":"bored-of-the-shame-eva-szombats-joy-filled-photos-of-hungarian-women-and-their-sex-toys","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2024\/02\/14\/bored-of-the-shame-eva-szombats-joy-filled-photos-of-hungarian-women-and-their-sex-toys","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Eva Szombat was 29 years old when she bought her first sex toy. \n\nIt was 2016, and the Hungarian photographer was in a committed relationship with her now-husband. She finally worked up the courage to walk into a sex shop in Budapest, where she picked up a hot pink vibrator. \n\nWhen she got home, she set it down on the toilet seat in her bathroom, which had a seat cover featuring a palm tree on a tropical island, and thought, \u201cWow, this looks amazing!\u201d \n\n\u201cI thought, I want a picture of this, it\u2019s so much fun!\u201d Szombat tells Euronews Culture. \u201cI was really shy and wasn\u2019t so comfortable with my body, my sexuality, these kinds of things. But at that time, something changed.\u201d \n\nShe decided to post the picture on her Instagram, just to see what would happen. \n\nLittle did she know that post was going to be a launching pad for her award-winning photo project and book, \u201cI want orgasms, not roses.\u201d \n\n\u2018Bored of the shame\u2019 \n\nThe year after she bought that first vibrator, Szombat put out a call on social media , asking for volunteers to let her photograph them with their sex toys. \n\nShe was surprised by how many people responded, and even more so by the fact that they were almost exclusively women. Over the next five years, she photographed and interviewed dozens of women of all ages for the project, with diverse backgrounds and sexual orientations. \n\n\u201cIt became a girls\u2019 project,\u201d she says. \u201cI was really happy about this because I thought that female sexuality is really repressed. We\u2019re told to be so humble and nice and pretty and everybody says that if you\u2019re really horny or if you like sex, you are a whore.\u201d \n\nGender stereotypes are particularly pervasive in Hungary, where the staunchly anti-abortion ruling FIDESZ party has defined childbirth as a woman\u2019s sacred duty, rejected same-sex marriage and rolled back trans rights and gender equality. \n\nIt didn\u2019t take long for Szombat to realise that her project was about much more than just some colourful plastic toys. During the interviews she conducted with her subjects, she uncovered deep shame they felt with regards to their sexuality. \n\n\u201cInitially I thought it was going to be a fun project,\u201d she says. \u201cYou know, \u2018Show me your sex toys!\u2019 Because sex toys are fun! It looks cool, it\u2019s something you use to enjoy yourself. But then I realised this topic is much larger because there is a lot of trauma and shame in it.\u201d \n\nMany times she found herself crying when she listened back to the interviews, like when one woman detailed the abuse she suffered as a child and how it made her see her sexuality as something filthy and dangerous, something to be ashamed of. \n\n\u201cWhen I asked her why she applied to the project, she said to me that she got bored of the shame,\u201d Szombat says. \u201cThat was my favourite sentence in the book: \u2018I got bored of the shame.\u2019 I think this is the core of the project, this shame. And to show how you can be more happy with your sexuality and yourself.\u201d \n\nA diverse world that\u2019s full of colour \n\nDespite the heavy subject matter, Szombat\u2019s photographs overflow with joy, brimming with pastel colours and irreverent details that reflect her own bubbly personality and sense of humour. Her laugh is infectious, punctuating her sentences as she describes her work. \n\n\u201cThese women are not sad and miserable,\u201d she insists. \u201cOkay, many of them have a lot of trauma. But they did something to change their lives, or they are on the road to changing their lives. They are okay with themselves, or they\u2019re trying to be okay with themselves. And I wanted to show that, and the happy part of it.\u201d \n\nSzombat says she developed her \u201cphotographic language\u201d years ago, a style she\u2019s honed through a series of projects examining happiness and mental well-being. \n\n\u201cI want orgasms, not roses\u201d is a continuation of that work, showing the journey many women take to reach sexual pleasure and well-being. \n\nShe uses clever visual metaphors to tell some of the women\u2019s personal stories. One photo shows a headless doll sitting across the table from a giant dildo, in a dollhouse belonging to one of her subjects. It represents the abusive relationship the woman left, after which she became a dominatrix. \n\n\u201cSomehow this represented her previous life, but in a fun way because there\u2019s a happy ending.\u201d \n\nThe colours Szombat uses in the photos are also often laden with meaning \u2013 like in one photograph of a hand glistening with lube, belonging to a woman who identifies as asexual and aromantic. \n\n\u201cThe colours are the colours of the asexual and aromantic flags,\u201d Szombat says. \u201cYou know, sexuality is really colourful, it\u2019s a spectrum. It\u2019s not just the heterosexual point of view, there\u2019s a transsexual girl, a bisexual girl. I tried to make it more colourful.\u201d \n\nMemory book for a new generation \n\nWhile working on the series, Szombat had a serendipitous moment after she discovered her grandmother\u2019s memory book from when she was a girl. \n\nMemory books are a centuries-old tradition in Hungary, a sort of yearbook for schoolchildren that are filled with handwritten messages from friends, family and teachers. The messages include inspirational quotes, jokes and advice for the future, among other things. \n\nHer grandmother\u2019s memory book had notes from friends including:\u00a0 \n\n\"God made you a woman \n\nYou can only become of value \n\nIf you learn to resign ,\u2028 \n\nSuffer and tolerate in life.\" \n\nor \n\n\"Do not wish to be happy in life, \n\nAfter thorns it is better to rest on roses.\" \n\n\u201cWhen I found these sentences in my grandma\u2019s memory book, I realised maybe that\u2019s why it\u2019s so hard for women to express themselves or say out loud what their needs are,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause they told us that we have to be humble and bear the pain.\u201d \n\nFor her photo book, published by Kehrer Verlag in collaboration with Everybody Needs Art \/ Longtermhandstand, Szombat wanted to maintain aspects of a traditional memory book. \n\nShe worked with graphic designer Anna B\u00e1rdy to add details like curly font that resembles girls\u2019 handwriting, or doodles at the back of the book that friends would traditionally draw. \n\nShe even included quotes that came directly from her grandmother\u2019s memory book. Like one little poem that reads, \u201cRoses are red, violets are blue, modesty makes you a woman of virtue.\u201d \n\nAlongside it is a photo Szombat made of a bondage ball gag sitting in a bed of violets. \n\n\u201cIt\u2019s kind of a new memory book,\u201d she says. \n\nSzombat has received a lot of support and recognition for this project, which was awarded Hungary\u2019s prestigious Robert Capa Grand Prize in 2021.\u00a0In 2023, the book was a joint winner at Belfast Photo Festival Photo-Book Award. \n\nHowever, the divisive subject matter has also led to some backlash in Hungary. \n\nAs the government increasingly tightens its controls on speech and media, reports say some artists are being forced to self-censor, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ content. \n\nBut Szombat says she sees it as an invitation to create more work that challenges the dominant viewpoint. \n\n\u201cSometimes I feel like I have to go somewhere else, that I have to leave this country because it\u2019s terrible what\u2019s happening here. Other times I feel like I have to do my stuff here, because they need some fun,\u201d she says with a laugh. \n\nEva Szombat's photo project \"I want orgasms, not roses\" will be featured in the group show \"Shades of Her\" at Punctum Gallery in Tallinn from 15 February. Her other projects can also be viewed at\u00a0 Krinzinger Schottenfeld in Vienna and Longtermhandstand in Budapest. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Eva Szombat was 29 years old when she bought her first sex toy.<\/p>\n<p>It was 2016, and the Hungarian photographer was in a committed relationship with her now-husband. She finally worked up the courage to walk into a sex shop in Budapest, where she picked up a hot pink vibrator.<\/p>\n<p>When she got home, she set it down on the toilet seat in her bathroom, which had a seat cover featuring a palm tree on a tropical island, and thought, \u201cWow, this looks amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought, I want a picture of this, it\u2019s so much fun!\u201d Szombat tells Euronews Culture. \u201cI was really shy and wasn\u2019t so comfortable with my body, my sexuality, these kinds of things. But at that time, something changed.\u201d<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7782190,7625440\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//08//09//how-hip-hop-conquered-paris-as-seen-through-the-lens-of-mai-lucas/">How hip-hop conquered Paris, as seen through the lens of Ma\u00ef Lucas<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//05//26//priceless-and-fragile-marta-syrko-on-her-portraits-of-ukraines-war-wounded/">Priceless and fragile: Marta Syrko on her portraits of Ukraine's war-wounded<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>She decided to post the picture on her Instagram, just to see what would happen.<\/p>\n<p>Little did she know that post was going to be a launching pad for her award-winning photo project and book, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.kehrerverlag.com//en//eva-szombat-i-want-orgasms-not-roses/">/u201cI want orgasms, not roses.\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\u2018Bored of the shame\u2019<\/h2><p>The year after she bought that first vibrator, Szombat put out <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//BaXH4sZB3AV///">a call on social media<\/strong><\/a>, asking for volunteers to let her photograph them with their sex toys.<\/p>\n<p>She was surprised by how many people responded, and even more so by the fact that they were almost exclusively women. Over the next five years, she photographed and interviewed dozens of women of all ages for the project, with diverse backgrounds and sexual orientations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.7095\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x573_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg/" alt=\""I want orgasms, not roses" is a colourful exploration of womanhood in modern Hungary.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x272_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x454_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x532_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x587_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x766_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x851_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x1362_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">"I want orgasms, not roses" is a colourful exploration of womanhood in modern Hungary.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.3795\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x1122_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg/" alt=\""It became a girls' project," Szombat says about her project. "I was happy about this because I thought that female sexuality is really repressed."\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x530_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x883_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x1035_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x1142_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x1490_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x1655_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x2649_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">"It became a girls' project," Szombat says about her project. "I was happy about this because I thought that female sexuality is really repressed."<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt became a girls\u2019 project,\u201d she says. \u201cI was really happy about this because I thought that female sexuality is really repressed. We\u2019re told to be so humble and nice and pretty and everybody says that if you\u2019re really horny or if you like sex, you are a whore.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Gender stereotypes are particularly pervasive in Hungary, where the staunchly anti-abortion ruling FIDESZ party has defined childbirth as a woman\u2019s sacred duty, rejected same-sex marriage and rolled back trans rights and gender equality.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">\u201cThese women are not sad and miserable. Okay, many of them have a lot of trauma. But they did something to change their lives, or they are on the road to changing their lives. (...) And I wanted to show that, and the happy part of it.\u201d<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Eva Szombat\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Photographer\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It didn\u2019t take long for Szombat to realise that her project was about much more than just some colourful plastic toys. During the interviews she conducted with her subjects, she uncovered deep shame they felt with regards to their sexuality.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInitially I thought it was going to be a fun project,\u201d she says. \u201cYou know, \u2018Show me your sex toys!\u2019 Because sex toys are fun! It looks cool, it\u2019s something you use to enjoy yourself. But then I realised this topic is much larger because there is a lot of trauma and shame in it.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.3705\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x1107_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg/" alt=\"Eva Szombat says she wanted her photo series to focus on the joyful side of sexuality, without ignoring the trauma behind many of her subjects' stories.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x526_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x877_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x1028_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x1135_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x1480_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x1645_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x2631_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Eva Szombat says she wanted her photo series to focus on the joyful side of sexuality, without ignoring the trauma behind many of her subjects' stories.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many times she found herself crying when she listened back to the interviews, like when one woman detailed the abuse she suffered as a child and how it made her see her sexuality as something filthy and dangerous, something to be ashamed of.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I asked her why she applied to the project, she said to me that she got bored of the shame,\u201d Szombat says. \u201cThat was my favourite sentence in the book: \u2018I got bored of the shame.\u2019 I think this is the core of the project, this shame. And to show how you can be more happy with your sexuality and yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>A diverse world that\u2019s full of colour<\/h2><p>Despite the heavy subject matter, Szombat\u2019s photographs overflow with joy, brimming with pastel colours and irreverent details that reflect her own bubbly personality and sense of humour. Her laugh is infectious, punctuating her sentences as she describes her work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese women are not sad and miserable,\u201d she insists. \u201cOkay, many of them have a lot of trauma. But they did something to change their lives, or they are on the road to changing their lives. They are okay with themselves, or they\u2019re trying to be okay with themselves. And I wanted to show that, and the happy part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.663\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x535_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg/" alt=\""These women are not sad and miserable," says photographer Eva Szombat. Her series "I want orgasms, not roses" explores sexuality and womanhood.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x255_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x424_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x497_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x549_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x716_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x796_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x1273_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">"These women are not sad and miserable," says photographer Eva Szombat. Her series "I want orgasms, not roses" explores sexuality and womanhood.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.7335\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x594_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg/" alt=\""Sexuality is a spectrum, it's really colourful," Szombat says. Her subjects presented a wide range of experiences, speaking to the rich diversity of sexuality.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x282_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x469_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x550_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x607_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x792_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x880_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x1408_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">"Sexuality is a spectrum, it's really colourful," Szombat says. Her subjects presented a wide range of experiences, speaking to the rich diversity of sexuality.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Szombat says she developed her \u201cphotographic language\u201d years ago, a style she\u2019s honed through a series of projects examining happiness and mental well-being.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want orgasms, not roses\u201d is a continuation of that work, showing the journey many women take to reach sexual pleasure and well-being.<\/p>\n<p>She uses clever visual metaphors to tell some of the women\u2019s personal stories. One photo shows a headless doll sitting across the table from a giant dildo, in a dollhouse belonging to one of her subjects. It represents the abusive relationship the woman left, after which she became a dominatrix.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.7165\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x577_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg/" alt=\"In this photo, Szombat staged her subject's dollhouse to represent a toxic relationship she escaped from, before becoming a dominatrix.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x275_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x459_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x537_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x593_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x774_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x860_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x1376_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">In this photo, Szombat staged her subject's dollhouse to represent a toxic relationship she escaped from, before becoming a dominatrix.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.381\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x1122_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg/" alt=\"The women featured in Eva Szombat's series "I want orgasms, not roses" shared personal stories of how they came to accept themselves and their sexuality.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x530_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x884_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x1036_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x1143_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x1491_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x1657_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x2652_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The women featured in Eva Szombat's series "I want orgasms, not roses" shared personal stories of how they came to accept themselves and their sexuality.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cSomehow this represented her previous life, but in a fun way because there\u2019s a happy ending.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The colours Szombat uses in the photos are also often laden with meaning \u2013 like in one photograph of a hand glistening with lube, belonging to a woman who identifies as asexual and aromantic.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe colours are the colours of the asexual and aromantic flags,\u201d Szombat says. \u201cYou know, sexuality is really colourful, it\u2019s a spectrum. It\u2019s not just the heterosexual point of view, there\u2019s a transsexual girl, a bisexual girl. I tried to make it more colourful.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.422\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x1154_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg/" alt=\"The colours Szombat uses in her photos are often intentional, she says. Here, the green and purple represent the colours in the asexual and aromantic flags.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x546_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x910_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x1067_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x1177_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x1536_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x1706_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x2730_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The colours Szombat uses in her photos are often intentional, she says. Here, the green and purple represent the colours in the asexual and aromantic flags.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Memory book for a new generation<\/h2><p>While working on the series, Szombat had a serendipitous moment after she discovered her grandmother\u2019s memory book from when she was a girl.<\/p>\n<p>Memory books are a centuries-old tradition in Hungary, a sort of yearbook for schoolchildren that are filled with handwritten messages from friends, family and teachers. The messages include inspirational quotes, jokes and advice for the future, among other things.<\/p>\n<p>Her grandmother\u2019s memory book had notes from friends including:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>\"God made you a woman<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>You can only become of value<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>If you learn to resign<\/em>,\u2028<\/p>\n<p><em>Suffer and tolerate in life.\"<\/em><\/p>\n<p>or<\/p>\n<p><em>\"Do not wish to be happy in life,<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>After thorns it is better to rest on roses.\"<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x539_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg/" alt=\"Eva Szombat's photo book "I want orgasms, not roses" published by Kehrer Verlag in collaboration with Everybody Needs Art \/ Longtermhandstand.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x256_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x427_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x500_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x552_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x720_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x800_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x1280_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Eva Szombat's photo book "I want orgasms, not roses" published by Kehrer Verlag in collaboration with Everybody Needs Art \/ Longtermhandstand.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6568627450980392\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x532_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg/" alt=\"A page from Szombat's grandmother's memory book. It reads: "God made you a woman You can only become of value If you learn to resign,\u2028suffer and tolerate in life."\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x252_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x420_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x493_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x544_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x709_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x788_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x1261_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A page from Szombat's grandmother's memory book. It reads: "God made you a woman You can only become of value If you learn to resign,\u2028suffer and tolerate in life."<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I found these sentences in my grandma\u2019s memory book, I realised maybe that\u2019s why it\u2019s so hard for women to express themselves or say out loud what their needs are,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause they told us that we have to be humble and bear the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For her photo book, published by <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.kehrerverlag.com//en//eva-szombat-i-want-orgasms-not-roses/">Kehrer Verlag<\/strong><\/a> in collaboration with Everybody Needs Art \/ Longtermhandstand, Szombat wanted to maintain aspects of a traditional memory book.<\/p>\n<p>She worked with graphic designer Anna B\u00e1rdy to add details like curly font that resembles girls\u2019 handwriting, or doodles at the back of the book that friends would traditionally draw.<\/p>\n<p>She even included quotes that came directly from her grandmother\u2019s memory book. Like one little poem that reads, \u201cRoses are red, violets are blue, modesty makes you a woman of virtue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alongside it is a photo Szombat made of a bondage ball gag sitting in a bed of violets.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s kind of a new memory book,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.703\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x569_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg/" alt=\"There's been resounding support for Szombat's work, which has won numerous prestigious awards. But the divisive subject matter has led to some backlash.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x270_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x450_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x527_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x582_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x759_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x844_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x1350_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">There's been resounding support for Szombat's work, which has won numerous prestigious awards. But the divisive subject matter has led to some backlash.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Szombat has received a lot of support and recognition for this project, which was awarded Hungary\u2019s prestigious <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////capacenter.hu//kiallitasok//capa-nagydij-2021///">Robert Capa Grand Prize<\/strong><\/a> in 2021.\u00a0In 2023, the book was a joint winner at Belfast Photo Festival Photo-Book Award.<\/p>\n<p>However, the divisive subject matter has also led to some backlash in Hungary.<\/p>\n<p>As the government increasingly tightens its controls on speech and media, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////artisticfreedominitiative.org//wp-content//uploads//2022//03//Artistic-Freedom-Monitor_Hungary_Systematic-Suppression.pdf/">reports say<\/strong><\/a> some artists are being forced to self-censor, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ content.<\/p>\n<p>But Szombat says she sees it as an invitation to create more work that challenges the dominant viewpoint.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes I feel like I have to go somewhere else, that I have to leave this country because it\u2019s terrible what\u2019s happening here. Other times I feel like I have to do my stuff here, because they need some fun,\u201d she says with a laugh.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.3425\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//23//40//90//808x1092_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg/" alt=\""It's kind of a new memory book," Szombat says about her photo book "I want orgasms, not roses".\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/384x516_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/640x859_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/750x1007_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/828x1112_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1080x1450_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1200x1611_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/1920x2578_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1330px) 70vw, 900px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">"It's kind of a new memory book," Szombat says about her photo book "I want orgasms, not roses".<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Eva Szombat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Eva Szombat's photo project \"I want orgasms, not roses\" will be featured in the group show <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//C2jvtS-NXkJ///">/"Shades of Her\"<\/a> at Punctum Gallery in Tallinn from 15 February. Her other projects can also be viewed at\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.galerie-krinzinger.at//exhibitions//51059//air-2023-vienna-hungary-croatia-sri-lanka//works///">Krinzinger Schottenfeld<\/a><\/strong> <strong>in Vienna and<\/strong> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.longtermhandstand.art///">Longtermhandstand <strong>in Budapest.<\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1707727645,"updatedAt":1708100407,"publishedAt":1707934530,"firstPublishedAt":1707844532,"lastPublishedAt":1708100407,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"Contributors from all walk of life display their sexuality, trauma, shame, desire, acceptance or rebellion in Eva Szombat's photos.","callToActionText":null,"width":1000,"caption":"Contributors from all walk of life display their sexuality, trauma, shame, desire, acceptance or rebellion in Eva Szombat's photos.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e3e66ff0-8e49-562d-b451-c1200645c6c7-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":663},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"\"It became a girls' project,\" Szombat says about her project. \"I was happy about this because I thought that female sexuality is really repressed.\"","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"\"It became a girls' project,\" Szombat says about her project. \"I was happy about this because I thought that female sexuality is really repressed.\"","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_91c058b1-2eb5-569a-b633-6b1c14f27fa3-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2759},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"\"Sexuality is a spectrum, it's really colourful,\" Szombat says. Her subjects presented a wide range of experiences, speaking to the rich diversity of sexuality.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"\"Sexuality is a spectrum, it's really colourful,\" Szombat says. Her subjects presented a wide range of experiences, speaking to the rich diversity of sexuality.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c73cca9b-4242-5437-98ab-c6a2ada61eee-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1467},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"There's been resounding support for Szombat's work, which has won numerous prestigious awards. But the divisive subject matter has led to some backlash.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"There's been resounding support for Szombat's work, which has won numerous prestigious awards. But the divisive subject matter has led to some backlash.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8f508b20-409f-58e7-83b4-9422bfb14c90-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1406},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"\"It's kind of a new memory book,\" Szombat says about her photo book \"I want orgasms, not roses\".","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"\"It's kind of a new memory book,\" Szombat says about her photo book \"I want orgasms, not roses\".","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_199379ff-99a3-5317-bc00-c7782eb3cca5-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2685},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"Eva Szombat's photo book \"I want orgasms, not roses\" published by Kehrer Verlag in collaboration with Everybody Needs Art \/ Longtermhandstand.","callToActionText":null,"width":3000,"caption":"Eva Szombat's photo book \"I want orgasms, not roses\" published by Kehrer Verlag in collaboration with Everybody Needs Art \/ Longtermhandstand.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ec8a5052-3f0e-5aea-ac8c-48a8734ad662-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2000},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"A page from Eva Szombat's grandmother's memory book from her childhood. It featured messages on the importance of modesty and discretion for women.","callToActionText":null,"width":2040,"caption":"A page from Eva Szombat's grandmother's memory book from her childhood. It featured messages on the importance of modesty and discretion for women.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a7cc6237-7c43-5bf6-ad06-1580b714fa9b-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1340},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"The colours Szombat uses in her photos are often intentional, she says. Here, the green and purple represent the colours in the asexual and aromantic flags.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"The colours Szombat uses in her photos are often intentional, she says. Here, the green and purple represent the colours in the asexual and aromantic flags.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5b8902e0-c3e4-5811-b641-53af148c9670-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2844},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"The women featured in Eva Szombat's series \"I want orgasms, not roses\" shared personal stories of how they came to accept themselves and their sexuality.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"The women featured in Eva Szombat's series \"I want orgasms, not roses\" shared personal stories of how they came to accept themselves and their sexuality.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c25a8cb6-ca95-590a-aaa3-4b737617ebe3-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2762},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"In this photo, Szombat staged her subject's dollhouse to represent a toxic relationship she escaped from, before becoming a dominatrix.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"In this photo, Szombat staged her subject's dollhouse to represent a toxic relationship she escaped from, before becoming a dominatrix.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d22f3297-c25d-5765-a4d9-92f54012f943-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1433},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"\"These women are not sad and miserable,\" says photographer Eva Szombat. Her series \"I want orgasms, not roses\" explores sexuality and womanhood.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"\"These women are not sad and miserable,\" says photographer Eva Szombat. Her series \"I want orgasms, not roses\" explores sexuality and womanhood.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b10fdc84-3f75-5f2d-9461-610c9f40c1cf-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1326},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"Eva Szombat says she wanted her photo series to focus on the joyful side of sexuality, without ignoring the trauma behind many of her subjects' stories.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Eva Szombat says she wanted her photo series to focus on the joyful side of sexuality, without ignoring the trauma behind many of her subjects' stories.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_66db484c-8ad9-507c-8001-ece3e63e611e-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2741},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"Through a colourful photographic universe, Szombat addresses deep issues facing women today.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Through a colourful photographic universe, Szombat addresses deep issues facing women today.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ba9c2d5f-2188-5128-855c-f3fa6204ee38-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1450},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"\"I want orgasms, not roses\" is a colourful exploration of womanhood in modern Hungary.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"\"I want orgasms, not roses\" is a colourful exploration of womanhood in modern Hungary.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6e759f7c-1fae-5bf1-be45-21f7208583ed-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1419},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Eva Szombat","altText":"Hungarian photographer Eva Szombat poses in a self-portrait for her series \"I want orgasms, not roses.\"","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Hungarian photographer Eva Szombat poses in a self-portrait for her series \"I want orgasms, not roses.\"","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/23\/40\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8143a2b5-9d05-58f1-818f-070ebdb623be-8234090.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1438}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"ulea","twitter":"@ancaulea","title":"Anca Ulea"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"photography","titleRaw":"Photography","id":4147,"title":"Photography","slug":"photography"},{"urlSafeValue":"sexuality","titleRaw":"sexuality","id":13784,"title":"sexuality","slug":"sexuality"},{"urlSafeValue":"women","titleRaw":"Women","id":11954,"title":"Women","slug":"women"},{"urlSafeValue":"lgbtq","titleRaw":" LGBTQ+ ","id":28750,"title":" LGBTQ+ 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- European Lens x Eva Szombat","path":"\/culture\/2024\/02\/14\/bored-of-the-shame-eva-szombats-joy-filled-photos-of-hungarian-women-and-their-sex-toys","lastModified":1708100407},{"id":2475696,"cid":8232220,"versionId":14,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240210_NWSU_54771369","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary's president resigns over child sexual abuse scandal","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Hungary's president resigns over child sexual abuse scandal","leadin":"Outrage was sparked by revelations Hungary's president had pardoned a man convicted in a child sexual abuse case.","summary":"Outrage was sparked by revelations Hungary's president had pardoned a man convicted in a child sexual abuse case.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarys-president-resigns-over-child-sexual-abuse-scandal","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/02\/10\/hungarys-president-resigns-over-child-sexual-abuse-scandal","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary's president has resigned amid controversy over her pardoning of a man convicted in a child sexual abuse case. \n\nPresident Katalin Novak faced days of growing pressure to resign because she decided to pardon a man who\u00a0was convicted of covering up crimes committed by a sexual predator at a children\u2019s home. \n\nThe 46-year-old announced in a televised message on Saturday that she would step down from the presidency, an office she has held since 2022.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cI issued a pardon that caused bewilderment and unrest for many people,\u201d Nov\u00e1k said on Saturday. \u201cI made a mistake.\u201d \n\nNovak - the first female president in Hungary's history - has unleashed a political scandal unprecedented for the country's long-serving nationalist government, Fidesz.\u00a0 \n\nHer resignation is a rare episode of turmoil for the right-wing party, which under the leadership of\u00a0Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n has been accused of dismantling democratic institutions and rigging the media in its favour. \n\nNovak, a key ally of Orb\u00e1n, has been an outspoken advocate of traditional family values and the protection of children.\u00a0 \n\n\"We know for sure that no serious decision is made around the Fidesz House without Viktor Orb\u00e1n's knowledge and consent,\" wrote Hungarian politician Don\u00e1th Anna on Facebook. \n\n\"Viktor Orb\u00e1n must stand up and explain what happened. Judit Varga signed the pardon on behalf of the prime minister and his government. This is Orb\u00e1n's system, so his responsibility cannot be denied.\" \n\nScandal could bring down other politicians \n\nHungary's main opposition parties have called for a presidential election. \n\n\"In order to prevent this from happening again.... we are taking the initiative so that the people, not Viktor Orb\u00e1n and the Parliament, decide on the person of the new president of the republic, as it works perfectly in most European countries,\" wrote Kl\u00e1ra Dobrev of the left-wing Democratic Coalition on Facebook.\u00a0 \n\nHundreds of protesters gathered by the Presidential palace in Budapest on Saturday night to celebrate her resignation. \n\nDemonstrators said they were glad, but added that a single resignation is not enough to change the overall system created by Orb\u00e1n. \n\n\"She\u2019s not the main criminal, you\u2019ve got to look all the way to the top. I think she has good intentions, but I know she\u2019s a big fan of Orb\u00e1n. The truth needs to be found, and it\u2019s scary that a Fidesz person is going to replace her,\u201d said protestor Anna Bujna. \n\nThe man whom Novak pardoned was sentenced to more than three years in prison in 2018 for pressuring victims to retract their claims of sexual abuse in a state-run children's home by its director, who was sentenced to eight years for abusing at least 10 children between 2004 and 2016.\u00a0 \n\nIt was well known that Novak had pardoned some two dozen people ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Hungary in April 2023.\u00a0 \n\nHowever, it was only recently disclosed that one of those pardoned was the deputy director of the children's home who covered for his boss while he preyed on its residents.\u00a0 \n\nNovak was the youngest person to ever hold the office of president in Hungary.\u00a0 \n\nAlso implicated in the pardon was Judit Varga, another key Fidesz figure, who\u00a0endorsed the pardon as Hungary\u2019s then Justice Minister.\u00a0\u00a0 \n\nVarga was expected to lead the list of European Parliament candidates from Fidesz when elections are held this summer.\u00a0But in a Facebook post on Saturday, she said she would take political responsibility for endorsing the pardon and \u201cretire from public life\".\u00a0 \n\nVarge also resigned from her seat as a member of parliament. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary's president has resigned amid controversy over her pardoning of a man convicted in a child sexual abuse case.<\/p>\n<p>President Katalin Novak faced days of growing pressure to resign because she decided to pardon a man who\u00a0was convicted of covering up crimes committed by a sexual predator at a children\u2019s home.<\/p>\n<p>The 46-year-old announced in a televised message on Saturday that she would step down from the presidency, an office she has held since 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI issued a pardon that caused bewilderment and unrest for many people,\u201d Nov\u00e1k said on Saturday. \u201cI made a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Novak - the first female president in Hungary's history - has unleashed a political scandal unprecedented for the country's long-serving nationalist government, Fidesz.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Her resignation is a rare episode of turmoil for the right-wing party, which under the leadership of\u00a0Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n has been accused of dismantling democratic institutions and rigging the media in its favour.<\/p>\n<p>Novak, a key ally of Orb\u00e1n, has been an outspoken advocate of traditional family values and the protection of children.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"We know for sure that no serious decision is made around the Fidesz House without Viktor Orb\u00e1n's knowledge and consent,\" wrote Hungarian politician Don\u00e1th Anna on Facebook.<\/p>\n<p>\"Viktor Orb\u00e1n must stand up and explain what happened. Judit Varga signed the pardon on behalf of the prime minister and his government. This is Orb\u00e1n's system, so his responsibility cannot be denied.\"<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Scandal could bring down other politicians<\/strong><\/h2><p>Hungary's main opposition parties have called for a presidential election.<\/p>\n<p>\"In order to prevent this from happening again.... we are taking the initiative so that the people, not Viktor Orb\u00e1n and the Parliament, decide on the person of the new president of the republic, as it works perfectly in most European countries,\" wrote Kl\u00e1ra Dobrev of the left-wing Democratic Coalition on Facebook.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of protesters gathered by the Presidential palace in Budapest on Saturday night to celebrate her resignation.<\/p>\n<p>Demonstrators said they were glad, but added that a single resignation is not enough to change the overall system created by Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<p>\"She\u2019s not the main criminal, you\u2019ve got to look all the way to the top. I think she has good intentions, but I know she\u2019s a big fan of Orb\u00e1n. The truth needs to be found, and it\u2019s scary that a Fidesz person is going to replace her,\u201d said protestor Anna Bujna.<\/p>\n<p>The man whom Novak pardoned was sentenced to more than three years in prison in 2018 for pressuring victims to retract their claims of sexual abuse in a state-run children's home by its director, who was sentenced to eight years for abusing at least 10 children between 2004 and 2016.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It was well known that Novak had pardoned some two dozen people ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Hungary in April 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, it was only recently disclosed that one of those pardoned was the deputy director of the children's home who covered for his boss while he preyed on its residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Novak was the youngest person to ever hold the office of president in Hungary.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Also implicated in the pardon was Judit Varga, another key Fidesz figure, who\u00a0endorsed the pardon as Hungary\u2019s then Justice Minister.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Varga was expected to lead the list of European Parliament candidates from Fidesz when elections are held this summer.\u00a0But in a Facebook post on Saturday, she said she would take political responsibility for endorsing the pardon and \u201cretire from public life\".\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Varge also resigned from her seat as a member of parliament.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1707582990,"updatedAt":1708106030,"publishedAt":1707583142,"firstPublishedAt":1707583154,"lastPublishedAt":1708106030,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Andrew Medichini\/Copyright 2023 The AP. 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