Hungary’s proposed 2027 budget dominated political debate. Péter Magyar outlined deficit-reduction plans combining spending cuts and tax changes with higher benefits, pensions, public-sector wages and local-government funding; the government forecast 2.4% growth, while Fitch warned that deficit reduction could be slower than planned. Parliament also raised the 2026 deficit target to 7.5%. President András Baka called the political changes a “bloodless revolution” and backed drafting a new constitution. October 23 commemorations featured competing political events, and Viktor Orbán did not attend the Fidesz gathering.
Former central bank governor György Matolcsy was detained and a court ordered him held for a month, in a non-final decision, over suspected economic fraud involving assets linked to an MNB foundation. Prosecutors described transfers of more than 266 billion forints and an alleged attempt to influence foundation assets through a securities-loan agreement. International arrest warrants were sought for Matolcsy’s son and another person. Other scrutiny included a tax-authority search at the National Film Institute, reviews of public contracts and a parliamentary inquiry into the Völner–Schadl case.
Ukraine remained central to foreign-affairs coverage. Zelensky said the United States had resumed intelligence-sharing, while reports described renewed Russian attacks and Ukrainian drone strikes on targets in Russia. Kyiv ordered evacuations from areas near the front, and Zelensky said he could accept freezing the fighting along current lines if Ukraine received security guarantees. Possible US-mediated talks were discussed, with Kyiv insisting it must participate and seeking European involvement. Ukrainian forces later regained Starlink and Starshield access, though the cause of the disruption remained disputed.
Protests and security crises featured across Europe and beyond. France faced unrest, looting and clashes, with authorities reporting thousands detained and planning a large police deployment; Macron cancelled a planned Budapest visit. In Albania, anti-government demonstrations continued amid arrests and clashes. Serbia saw a large student-backed demonstration ahead of an election, while Italy sent soldiers to Milan after protests escalated. Elsewhere, a major earthquake in Tibet killed at least 16, and a truck drove into a youth football match in Kansas, killing two people and injuring ten.
Economic and public-policy stories included the annulment of the environmental permit for the Dongwha electrolyte plant in Sóskút, requiring a new application but not permanently closing the facility. Budapest received 120 billion forints in government support, of which 90 billion was deducted as a solidarity contribution. Mol signed a contract to buy the Russian stake in Serbia’s NIS, subject to approvals. Hungary also announced a review of state-funded international sporting events and plans for a bill that could bar some senior officials and politicians from leading large sports organizations.
Machine-written summary of Hungarian news. Daily pages link to the original Hungarian articles.