European centre-right candidate cites concerns Fidesz was flouting rule of law Manfred Weber, the centre-right’s lead candidate in the upcoming European parliament meeting, has called…

Breaking international treaties unilaterally is seldom possible – as I know from personal experience A quarter of a century ago I was entrusted by Hungary…

Hungarian PM may set up nationalist grouping as Brussels’ centre-right group decides whether to expel his party Discussions about Europe’s future have largely concentrated on…

Government campaign to boost birth rate featured ‘distracted boyfriend’ couple It was meant to be a poster extolling the virtues of a strong family. But…

Nationalist PM was criticised by leader of centre-right group over billboard attack campaign The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has said his ruling nationalist Fidesz…

Hungarian PM’s anti-EU attitude is alienating centre-right European People’s party Viktor Orbán could face renewed calls for his expulsion from the European People’s party (EPP)…

Campaign claims commission president and George Soros are ‘endangering Hungary’s safety’ The European commission has accused Viktor Orbán’s government of a propagating a “shocking” and…

Mike Pompeo’s wooing of eastern European states is an attack on the union’s very existence, and part of a wider ideological battle The Trump administration…

France reports 74% rise in offences against Jews and Germany records 60% surge in violent attacks Antisemitism is rising sharply across Europe, experts have said,…

President of Board of Deputies of British Jews had raised concerns over stance of Hungary’s PM and government A Hungarian government minister has accused a…

Trade with central and eastern Europe already affected and local GDP could shrink by 5% Jarosław Granat has worked for Future Processing since it was…

In May’s European elections, anti-EU forces will be on the rise. Those who want to preserve the union’s values must wake up Europe is sleepwalking…

US secretary of state will dine with Hungarian leader before travelling to other countries The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has embarked on a…

To boost country’s population growing families better than letting Muslim immigrants in, says PM Hungary’s populist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has promised that women who…

Despite weeks of protest in Hungary, it’s clear now the PM can rely on support within the EU to shield him from criticism As a…

Diana Neslen on the dangers of whitewashing the past, and Jim Grozier on the benefits of forgetting where we have come from, and concentrating on…

Milton Court, LondonThe Casals Quartet and Tamara Stefanovich shone in the Barbican’s day of concerts saluting the spirit of 20th century Hungary and the music…

Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s far-right prime minister, is at the forefront of a nationalist surge in Europe, and his anti-migrant rhetoric has brought condemnation from the…

Judith Sargentini of Dutch Greens says situation has got worse since her report last year European Union leaders are failing to act despite the “worsening”…

Travelling through Hungary, we found an anxiety about identity and place that liberals can’t ignore Like many families, mine has been divided by politics in…

A Guardian film-maker and his father, who left communist Hungary for Britain in the 70s and now supports the nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, take…

German journalist with links to Russia allegedly organised arson attack in Ukraine to stoke tensions, court told The plot allegedly involved three Polish extremists and…

Use of ‘O1G’ expletive illustrates rising anger at PM’s ‘slave law’ and anti-migrant rhetoric Visitors to Budapest in recent weeks may have noticed the proliferation…

Battle over post-Brexit budget expected from countries accused of flouting rule of law The European parliament has backed plans to cut EU funds to member…

Opposition to authoritarian rule reflects increased concern of voters and institutions, Human Rights Watch claims From Europe to Yemen and Myanmar to the US, authoritarian…

A real menace looms as we fret about Brexit and Germany and France sign symbolic accords It could simply be a coincidence. Or perhaps the…

Hungarian PM also hails new partnership forged with Poland by Italy’s Matteo Salvini Hungary’s far-right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has called for “anti-migration politicians” to…

Anger at Orbán’s rule in Hungary also directed at courts system and state media Thousands of protesters in Hungary braved snow and freezing temperatures on…

One of labour reforms allows employers to ask staff to work up to 400 hours per year of overtime Thousands of Hungarians marched to the…

A new wave of female politicians and protesters are offering an alternative to the Hungary PM’s macho politics When the speakers took the stage to…

The streets and parliamentary opposition are united in protest: we will continue to resist until the Orbán regime is gone On Sunday and Monday opposition…

Influential stage designer who created groundbreaking sets for the Royal Shakespeare Company and English National Opera By instinct and inclination the designer Ralph Koltai, who…

Opposition parties collaborate on joint strategy to put pressure on PM Viktor Orbán Hungary’s beleaguered political opposition has vowed to keep up the pressure on…

Hungary’s rightwing government has faced a rare sit-in by opposition politicians. About a dozen MPs spent the night in the state television headquarters, in Budapest,…

MPs seek a number of changes from the rightwing government, including an independent judiciary Viktor Orbán’s rightwing government in Hungary has faced a rare and…

Foreign minister Péter Szijjártó says Britain brought ‘common sense’ to debate on migration Hungary’s hardline anti-immigrant government has expressed disappointment at the loss of Britain’s…

Law raises overtime limit, with legislation establishing new courts also being passed The Hungarian government has passed a set of controversial laws amid scenes of…

Populism preys on rose-tinted memories of past glories and distorts it into something ugly “The Russians blame everything on their government, the Americans on their…

The CEU in Hungary is the latest victim of the US’s mishandling of foreign policy It was a triumph for Hungary’s populist prime minister, Viktor…

After more than 25 years of operation in Budapest, the Central European University has been forced out of Hungary “CEU has been forced out.” That…

Central European University is first major university to be pushed out of an EU country Central European University has announced it will leave Budapest for…

The p-word is much misunderstood. It’s as old as democracy, and has perhaps never been as popular as it is today. So who are the…

Readers respond to the start of the Guardian’s six-month investigation into the rise of populism around the world Your article (Revealed: One in four Europeans…

Hungary appears to have given special treatment to disgraced former Macedonian PM Macedonia’s former prime minister Nikola Gruevski, who fled the country last week rather…

Exclusive research shows how populists tripled their vote over the past two decades Continue reading… Powered by WPeMatico

In 1998, about 300 Guardian articles mentioned populism. In 2016, 2,000 did. What happened? Populism is sexy. Particularly since 2016 – the year of the…

Nikola Grevski fled country days before he was due to be jailed for corruption The mystery over how Macedonia’s disgraced former prime minister Nikola Gruevski…

Granting Nikola Gruevski’s request could further strain relations with Brussels Hungarian authorities are considering an asylum request from Nikola Gruevski, the fugitive former prime minister…

Anne Summers rebuts a claim that Austria only lost its ‘overseas territories’ at the end of the war It is simply untrue to state that…

Italy is in meltdown, Hungary in open revolt, and the US wants a trade war. Small wonder Europe’s leaders haven’t got much time for us…

The US would once have acted against such leaders. Trump now offers an example History will record that when states murdered journalists or used the…

European commission speaks of regret at Vienna joining Hungary in snubbing compact Brussels has spoken out against Austria’s decision to join Hungary in not signing…

Supreme court rules Petra László was incorrectly charged over 2015 incident on Serbian border A Hungarian television camera operator who made headlines in 2015 after…

Central European University | The Simpsons | Clocks going back | Dishwashers | Neoliberalism Tucked away on page 30 of last Friday’s Guardian was the…

Central European University plans to move to Vienna next year after moves against it by Hungarian government A university founded by the philanthropist George Soros…

The aftermath of the first world war sees declarations of independence and the foundation of new states including Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland While an attempt…

When religious and nationalist longings combine, progressives need a powerful counter-narrative The regional elections in Bavaria resulted in a crushing defeat for the CSU party,…

A ban on street sleeping from the rightwing government comes into force next week Many countries have struggled to deal with the issue of homelessness…

Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Dominic Raab’s statement to MPs about developments in the Brexit talks Lunchtime summary 3.20pm…

Hillary Clinton has condemned ‘conservatives in Brussels’ who voted to shield the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, ‘including British MPs’. ‘They’ve come a long way…

Former US presidential nominee says British Tories have come a long way since the days of Thatcher and Churchill Hillary Clinton has criticised Conservative MEPs…

A ‘pan-European picnic’ helped defeat communism. This time the enemy is populism On 19 August 1989, just outside the small Hungarian city of Sopron, in…

The Upstairs Downstairs spoof has been forgotten in Britain. But in Hungary, kids still name their pets after the cast. Our writer travels to Budapest…

The way to take on Orbán and Salvini is to point out the dangers they pose to everyday freedoms and the rule of law While…

Viktor Orbán expresses gratitude for ‘solidarity’ of MEPs who voted against action The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has thanked Conservative MEPs for their “solidarity”…

Conservatives voted against EU sanctions process to protect democracy in Hungary A former Conservative MEP leader has condemned the party’s decision to vote with Viktor…

French president says EU should resist prime minister’s calls for compromise on Brexit Emmanuel Macron has appealed to his fellow EU leaders to maintain their…

The European project is hampered by populists, despite hopeful developments such as the parliament’s vote to take action against Hungary’s backsliding Continue reading… Powered by…

Defiant Viktor Orbán said he will resist centralised control and pro-migration policies Hungary has said it will resist any EU-wide attempt to strip it of…

Conservatives condemned after opposing action to condemn Orbán’s government Jewish and Muslim leaders have criticised Conservative MEPs for voting against measures to censure Hungary, saying…

Hungary’s government threatens the rule of law, but British MEPs still refused to back a European move to discipline it Those who don’t follow European…

Parliament votes for first time to trigger article 7 procedure against a member state The European parliament has voted to start a punitive procedure against…

Orbán defiant as EU parliament considers sanctions over the erosion of judicial freedoms in Hungary Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, claimed his country was being…

I conduct orchestras all over the world, and I know that only if we work together can we have harmony Human rights are under attack…

Parliament to vote on whether to trigger little-used legal sanction against Viktor Orbán Members of the European parliament are being urged to take a stand…

Michael Ignatieff speaks out as MEPs prepare to vote on whether Hungary’s policies under Viktor Orbán breach EU values The rector of the liberal Budapest…

The Hungarian government’s clampdown on gender studies and research into migration sets a dangerous precedent Universities in Hungary are under serious pressure. They are facing…

Italian interior minister and Hungarian PM will discuss ‘alternative strategies’ in meeting Two of Europe’s most vocal anti-migrant leaders, the Italian interior minister, Matteo Salvini,…

European commission called on to defend rule of law in wake of injuries at protests EU authorities are facing calls to defend the rule of…

Migration numbers have fallen since 2015 peak, but countries are still grappling with the political and practical fallout Related: The irrational fear of migrants carries…

Prime minister’s foe, Lajos Simicska, whose media outlets provided opportunities for criticism, has seen his empire dismantled In Hungary, where anti-migration prime minister Viktor Orbán…

Professor Eve Rosenhaft of the University of Liverpool writes to correct a historical error in a piece about the vandalising of Elie Wiesel’s house in…

European commission sends letter of notice saying Hungary is in breach of rights charter The Hungarian government is in breach of the EU’s charter of…

In case warnings of impending fascism have merit, here’s a bucket list of rights to tick off Fascism is a political philosophy. It exalts the…

The breakup of Yugoslavia fed the belief that flag-waving leads to bloodshed. But this eroded support for the centre ground and fuelled ethnic-based intolerance ‘I’ve…

Three-quarters view immigrants who are citizens as ‘real’ residents, the most positive response in 27-country survey Amid the travel ban, the inhumane treatment of children…

Ministers opt to launch procedure over rule of law violations under Viktor Orbán British Conservatives are under fire in Brussels after voting against triggering an…

Three-quarters of Americans view immigrants who are citizens as ‘real Americans’, the most positive response in 27-country survey Amid the travel ban, the inhumane treatment…

Ministers will vote on whether to open disciplinary procedure over rule of law violations The European parliament could vote to trigger an EU sanction process…

Giuseppe Conte presents 10-point plan to solve migration crisis at emergency summit Italy has warned the future of the EU’s border-free travel zone is at…

Criminalising help for refugees is a sign of Viktor Orbán’s growing authoritarianism. Europe cannot afford to ignore it It’s time for the European Union to…

Former US vice-president compares situation to 1930s as migration convulses politics The former US vice-president Joe Biden has accused “demagogues and charlatans” of stirring up…

Ticket sales fall after media outlets close to PM say show promotes ‘deviant way of life’ The Hungarian State Opera House has cancelled 15 performances…

Treaty that sliced up territory after first world war remains a source of anti-liberal sentiment The signing of a 1920 peace treaty does not immediately…

Legislation approved by parliament restricts ability of NGOs to help in asylum claims Hungary’s parliament has passed a series of laws that criminalise any individual…

Government also resubmits bill to criminalise those deemed to be helping illegal immigration The Hungarian government has stepped up its anti-immigration measures with plans to…

Four key suspects sentenced to 25 years each over deaths of 71 people in back of lorry Four members of a people-smuggling gang have each…

In a keynote speech in Budapest last week, the Observer columnist argued that hostility to migrants is not a fringe project – mainstream politicians have…

This traumatic documentary about a Hungarian woman forced into domestic servitude is an outstanding example of how film-making can make a difference It seems scarcely…

Michael Ignatieff of Budapest-based Central European University says institution has been left in limbo after Viktor Orbán questioned its legal status Central European University is…

Jail terms will be imposed on people or groups deemed to be aiding illegal immigrants Viktor Orbán’s government has introduced a controversial set of laws…

Parliament debates bill that could lead to activists and lawyers facing jail time The border between Hungary and Serbia is already one of the most…

Democracy was subverted in the Brexit vote, says Molly Scott Cato, Robin Henry argues that George Soros’s involvement will be toxic, plus letters from John…

Brussels now confronting a country at the heart of the continent that is making an exit from the bloc’s liberal values, but continuing to pick…

Observers found ‘intimidating and xenophobic rhetoric, media bias and opaque financing’ International observers have delivered a damning verdict on the parliamentary election in Hungary, complaining…

Crushing victory means PM has power to remould Hungary and possibly even the entire EU Viktor Orbán embarks on another four years in power newly…

Foreign secretary’s message to Hungarian PM follows the Fidesz party’s campaign based primarily on an anti-migration platform Boris Johnson has been criticised for congratulating Hungary’s…

The declining birthrate and brain drain are likely to continue, as a fearful Hungary turns in on itself ever further On Sunday Hungarians went to…

Hungarian leader says package of bills targeting civil society will be pushed through parliament Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has promised to push through a…

The danger of leaders like Viktor Orbán and Aleksandar Vučić isn’t just ideology but the ruthlessness with which they exploit public opinion Two weeks before…

Employees of state TV network describe how channels pumped out pro-government messaging ahead of Victor Orbán’s election victory this week A leading editor at Hungary’s…

Martin Sellner and Abel Bodi stopped at Stansted en route to far-right event in London Two prominent anti-Muslim campaigners have been denied entry into the…

Disgruntled youth protest an ‘unfair’ electoral system and the left’s failure to unite in opposition Thousands of Hungarians protested in Budapest on Saturday against what…

Was there a hidden strategy in play behind Hungarian PM’s election victory? One day in mid-January, Balázs Dénes, the Hungarian executive director of a Berlin-based…

Hungary’s prime minister has won another term in office – to the delight of Europe’s far right Continue reading… Powered by WPeMatico

Grantmaking body acts after civil society restrictions planned by re-elected PM Viktor Orbán George Soros’s Open Society Foundations has revealed plans to close its Budapest…

Hungary’s prime minister is trying to cultivate ties with Eurosceptic and anti-immigration leaders across the continent Tens of thousands of Hungarians have been protesting against…

Ahead of re-election as prime minister, rightwinger talks of building a ‘Christian democracy’ Viktor Orbán has said the main task of his new government will…

As Hungarian-style authoritarianism spreads, Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party should be expelled from its European parliament grouping Boris Johnson should change his name and move to…