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New Criminal Code In Hungary Will Boost Self-Defence Rights

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

"The new criminal code will accept self-defence as legitimate grounds for killing an assailant in certain circumstances, Justice Ministry state secretary Róbert Répássy confirmed on Kossuth Rádió yesterday.

Former Finance Hungarian Minister Oszkó Accused Of Benefiting From Malév’s Collapse

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

"Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary revealed to Hungarian media yesterday that former Finance Minster Péter Oszkó joined the board of rival low-cost airline WizzAir in April 2011, prompting Fidesz to accuse him of profiting from Malév’s demise.

Nobel Laureate Kertész Says Hungary Today In Same State As During Communist Era

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

"Viktor Orbán has enchanted Hungary like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, and the country is in the same state today as during the rule of János Kádár, Nobel Prize-winning writer Imre Kertész asserts in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde.

Malév Is Dead, Long Live Low Cost Carriers?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The predictable passing of Malév triggered rapid expansion announcements from both Ryanair and Wizz Air. SmartWings, Air Berlin and others have added flights, with more low cost carriers positioned to pounce. All good for budget travelers as prices are driven down via increased competition. More consumer choice is usually good, but given the economic climate will it be a no frills future for the airline market in Hungary?

The curt closure of one of Europe’s oldest airlines is sad news for some, particularly 7,000+ stranded passengers and 2000+ employees of the Hungarian flag carrier. Industry experience indicates, and as current events are demonstrating, the majority of services handled by Malév will soon be taken over by existing airlines; and new carriers ready to gamble on niche routes from Budapest.

‘State Of The Nation’ Speech By Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:03:00 GMT

"On 7 February 2012 Viktor Orbán gave his traditional ‘state of the nation’ speech, focusing on the past year. This was the fourteenth such occasion. At the beginning of his speech Mr. Orbán thanked all those who have stood by the country in spite of the criticism directed at it and its government. This was a reference to the four hundred thousand people who took part in the ‘Peace March for Hungary’ on 21 January.

Journalists Allowed Back Into Budapest Parliament After Ban

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:01:00 GMT

"Journalists working for news website Index may again report from Parliament from February 13, Parliament’s press chief Anita Altorjai told reporters on Wednesday. She warned that journalists are obliged to honour the House rules and directives issued by the Speaker about the media.

Man Indicted For Racist Assault In Hungary

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:59:00 GMT

"Charges have been brought against a Hungarian who attacked a man from Equatorial Guinea with pepper spray last September, Somogy county prosecutors announced. The 18-year-old suspect from Andocs is accused of attacking the victim because of his colour."

What’s Wrong With Hungary?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

"I have, to put it mildly, been somewhat astonished at the heated reaction that my blog post “Do Institutions Matter?” has provoked, culminating in a letter from the Hungarian State Secretary for Communication, Zoltán Kovács, to The American Interest complaining about my piece and contesting various points in it."

Danube May Freeze Over In Hungary

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:10:00 GMT

"The Danube may freeze over in Budapest for the first time in 25 years, if night-time temperatures plunge to around –20C for a few more days. In 1987 a few people were able to cross the river on foot between Pest and Buda.

Four Die Of Exposure In Icy Weather In Hungary

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:02:00 GMT

"Four people died of exposure and 21 others suffered injuries on Tuesday, National Disaster officials said. Classes have been suspended in nine counties due to the cold weather.

Gov’t Offers Work To Hunger Marchers In Hungary

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

"Local governments state secretary András Tállai on Tuesday awaited the hunger marchers walking from Miskolc to Budapest with food and snow shovels in Mezőkövesd, offering to provide bread to those willing to shovel snow.

Hungarian Media Authority Extends Klubrádió Temporary License By 60 Days

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

"The Media Council on Tuesday decided to grant a 60-day provisional licence to Klubrádió to conclude a contract for broadcasts on different frequencies, at the request of the radio station.

More Snow Forecast, Tisza Freezes In Hungary

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:12:00 GMT

"The National Meteorological Service has issued snow warnings for Zala, Somogy and Baranya counties, forecasting heavy snowfall for the southern region today, as wintry conditions retain their grip on the country. Ice-breaking ships are on standby at various critical points along the Tisza as the river and its tributaries have frozen over on almost their entire stretch.

Le Monde Interview With Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:05:00 GMT

"An interview with Viktor Orbán appeared in the French newspaper Le Monde on Saturday. The Prime Minister stressed that ideologies are no longer important: it is values that matter, and values have not changed since 1989.

Statement Of The Foreign Ministry On The Jerusalem Post’s Article Of 5 February 2012 About Hungary

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:01:00 GMT

"The Ministry for Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the position of the MPs of the Jobbik political party on the Holocaust, on the internal political situation in Israel, and on the political relations of the Middle East.

Hungary Condemns Far-Right's Anti-Semitic Comments

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

"Hungary’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday criticized anti-Semitic and pro-Iranian regime statements of Jobbik party lawmaker Marton Gyongyosi. Hungary rejects the statements of “Gyongyosi, the party’s foreign affairs spokesman, [who] questioned the number of Hungarian Holocaust victims and compared Israel to a Nazi system,” a ministry spokesman said."

Morning Briefing: Hungarian Political Outlook Center Stage

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to preview his plans for central Europe’s most volatile market this year in a nationwide address Tuesday."

Extreme Cold Blamed For Five Deaths In Hungary

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:10:00 GMT

"A total of five people died of exposure in the heavy snow and unusually cold weather that enveloped Hungary over the weekend. A man who fell to the ground in the courtyard of his house in Mezőkövesd on Friday, was unable to get up and died of exposure in the –15C temperature.

1 Million Litres Of Illegal Italian Wine Seized In Hungary

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT

"One million litres of illegally expropriated wine has been found by food chain safety authority wine supervisors in Bács-Kiskun county. Official proceedings continue with the inclusion of experts from the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV); details will be made public in the near future.

Hungary Must Improve Investor Image For IMF Aid, Varga Says

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

"ungary must improve its investment environment and slow legislative changes to obtain an international bailout, Mihaly Varga, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, told Magyar Hirlap in an interview. Hungary is seeking an aid package from the International Monetary Fund and European Union of about 15 billion ($20 billion) to 20 billion euros, Varga said."