Viktor Orbán’s stance on the EU migration pact explained, including what the policy requires, why Hungary opposes it, and how implementation will affect member states.

it is at the same time seeking to extend the Erasmus program to students from third countries, including African nations. Hanko noted that it has now been three years since the European Commission excluded Hungarian students from the Erasmus program and Hungarian researchers from the Horizon research framework.

The European Commission on Thursday ordered Hungary to scrap a limit set on retail price margins on food products and drugstore articles levied on non-Hungarian retailers or risk legal action.

Under the new infringement procedure, the Commission says that Hungary’s MOL asked a tribunal in a third country to enforce an arbitration award it won against “an EU country”. More recently, a MOL-controlled company launched a new legal action against, again unnamed, EU member state.

Due to their geography and existing infrastructure, countries in Central Europe remain dependent on Russian energy supplies. In October, Russian gas accounted for 12 percent of EU imports, down from 45 percent in 2022. Hungary’s and Slovakia’s energy supply, however, still relies heavily on this source.

EU states will still have veto rights over the final decision about Ukraine's membership, but for the time being Ukraine will move ahead with the necessary reforms in order to become eligible to join.

According to the Commission, Hungarian authorities interfere with the work of journalists and media outlets by restricting their economic activities and editorial freedom. National law also fails to adequately protect journalists’ confidential communications and sources, and offers insufficient judicial remedy, the executive said in a statement.