- 6d ago
Poland formally requests extradition of Zbigniew Ziobro from the United States over Justice Fund charges
Polish prosecutors have formally asked the United States to extradite former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who faces 19 charges of corruption and abuse of power linked to the Justice Fund. The request, sent via diplomatic channels on Monday, sets up a legal and political test for Washington.
- Jul 25
Viktor Orbán calls for 'national resistance' against successor’s 'arbitrary rule' in first post-election rally in Romania
Hungary’s former prime minister Viktor Orbán, ousted in April, told a crowd in Baile Tusnad, Romania that Fidesz must become a vehicle for 'national resistance' against the government of Péter Magyar, which he accused of dismantling opposition.
- Jul 25
Orban demands 'politics of resistance' at Fidesz gathering, calls Magyar government an authoritarian regime
In Baile Tusnad on 25 July 2026, former PM Viktor Orban urged Fidesz to abandon self-critical opposition and adopt direct resistance, saying the stake is freedom in Hungary.
- Jul 25
From Romanian stage, Viktor Orbán blasts Hungary's TISZA government and says EU won't exist in current form by 2051
Speaking at a summer university in Romania, the former Hungarian prime minister accused the TISZA government of authoritarian abuses, comparing Hungary to Venezuela. He predicted that the European Union in its current form will be gone within 25 years.
- Jul 25
Amnesty International warns Hungary over rushed election of constitutional judge, Tisza majority to decide without consultation
Hungary’s parliament will elect a new Constitutional Court judge on Monday, just days after a constitutional amendment ended the term of Csaba Hende. Amnesty International Hungary says the one-week timeline sidesteps the 60-day period meant for broad consultations and echoes single-party selection practices previously seen under Viktor Orbán.
- Jul 19
Over half of Poles say Tusk government failed to deliver on PiS accountability promises, poll shows
A SW Research survey for Rzeczpospolita finds 53.3% of respondents say the government has not met their expectations, while only 14.6% approve. The result follows Prime Minister Donald Tusk's apology in Paris for overpromising on swift justice.
- Jul 18
Hungarian president signs constitutional amendment ending his own term, decries it as a 'disgraceful abuse of political power'
President Tamas Sulyok signed the 17th constitutional amendment on Saturday, triggering the early end of his mandate one day after its publication. He said he had no legal tools to block a measure he described as a fatal blow to democracy, separation of powers, and the rule of law in Hungary.
- Jul 18
Chess grandmaster Judit Polgár declines Hungarian presidency offer, handing new PM Péter Magyar his first setback since April election win
The 49-year-old grandmaster, considered the greatest female chess player of all time, said she lacked the strength to assume the "historical responsibility of uniting a divided nation" after outgoing president Tamás Sulyok was forced from office via a constitutional amendment on 18 July.
- Jul 15
Hungary's ex-FM Szijjártó quits parliament for BYD role he helped subsidise, PM Magyar attacks
Former Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó announced his resignation from parliament on Wednesday to take a senior role at Chinese EV maker BYD, the same company he courted as minister with hundreds of millions of euros in state aid. New pro-EU prime minister Péter Magyar accused him of having long served foreign interests at Hungarian taxpayers' expense.
- Jul 14
Hungary's parliament votes to remove president as Magyar pushes through 17th constitutional amendment
The Hungarian parliament adopted a constitutional amendment on 13 July 2026 that terminates the mandate of President Tamás Sulyok, a Fidesz appointee, and gives him five days to sign it or face impeachment.
- Jul 13
Poland readies extradition request for former justice minister hiding in US over Justice Fund scandal
A nearly 300-page extradition request has been prepared by Polish prosecutors and will be sent to the United States within a week, aiming to bring former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro back to face 26 charges linked to the Justice Fund.
- Jul 11
Hungary submits bill for anti-corruption office and joins EU prosecutor's office, unlocking €10 billion in frozen funds
Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government submitted legislation for a National Asset Protection and Recovery Office on Friday, the same day the European Commission confirmed Hungary's accession to the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the Council approved its recovery plan.
- Jul 10
Fidesz rallies thousands in Budapest against Péter Magyar's plan to remove president and reshape courts
Fidesz, the party of former prime minister Viktor Orbán, mobilized thousands in Budapest on Thursday to protest a constitutional overhaul by the new Tisza-led government.
- Jul 8
Hungary's public media halt broadcasts, apologise for 'lying' during Orbán era
Hungarian public broadcasters M1 and Kossuth radio suspended news programmes on 7 July, displaying a black-screen apology for years of propaganda under Viktor Orbán. Prime Minister Péter Magyar hailed the move as the end of state media lies.
- Jul 8
Hungary suspends public news broadcasts, apologises for 'years of lies' in media overhaul
Hungarian public broadcaster M1 replaced its news programming with a black screen and an apology for years of propaganda on Tuesday, as the new government of Prime Minister Péter Magyar launched a sweeping reform of state media.
- Jul 2
Hungary revokes refugee status for Polish ex-justice minister Ziobro and aide, clearing path for US extradition
Budapest has revoked refugee status for former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, his wife, and ex-deputy Marcin Romanowski, raising the prospect of a U.S. extradition battle.
- Jun 27
Tens of thousands march in Budapest Pride, first since Orban's defeat, as heatwave grips Hungary
Budapest hosted its first Gay Pride parade since Viktor Orban's electoral defeat in April, with tens of thousands braving a 38°C heatwave to celebrate what participants called a new era of freedom for LGBTQ+ people.
- Jun 27
Tens of thousands march at first Budapest Pride since Orbán's ouster, as anti-LGBTQ laws persist
Despite a 38°C heatwave, tens of thousands celebrated the return of assembly freedom at Budapest Pride on Saturday, the first since Viktor Orbán's departure, even though the new government has yet to repeal the anti-LGBTQ laws.
- Jun 22
Hungary's PM Magyar moves to oust president and launch anti-corruption 'Purgatory' operation
Prime Minister Peter Magyar submits a constitutional amendment to dismiss President Tamas Sulyok and creates a national asset recovery office, calling it 'Operation Purgatory'.
- Jun 22
Zelenskyy accuses Nawrocki of playing politics after Poland revokes top order over UPA unit name
Ukrainian president says the revocation is 'solely an electoral process' and compares the Polish leader to Viktor Orbán, as Kyiv officials renounce their own Polish awards en masse.
