Stories from Hungary

Tackling Educational Segregation of Hungarian Roma children: A Journey with Many Challenges.

25th April 2018

Striding forwards: a small victory shows hope for tackling the discrimination of Roma children in Hungary. Two weeks ago, hope glistened for the future of Roma children as a lawyer fought for their rights in a decade-long court case, in which Church-run schools discriminated against them. When asked what the feeling was before entering the […]

Lack of Press Freedom Crucial to Orbán’s Victory

25th April 2018

The lack of press freedom in Hungary is one of the key explanations for prime minister Viktor Orbán’s recent success in the Hungarian elections. Several sides criticize the Hungarian press for being non-critical of Orbán and his cabinet. Photo: flickr.com Prime Minister Viktor Orbán electoral victory might not have happened if it hadn’t of been […]

Not Fine with the Fringes

25th April 2018

When a Call for LGBTQ Equality within Hungary Exposes Societal and Systemic Inequity This is a story of how Andrea Giuliano, a member of the LGBT community, spoke out against discrimination. His actions provoked violent reactions, leading him to turn to the police for help. But the authorities’ response was not what Andrea had […]

Orbán’s re-election confirms migrant NGO tax law

25th April 2018

Just one of many Fidesz ‘Stop Soros’ campaign posters plastered onto bus shelters and billboards throughout Hungary. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Stricter amendments to laws targeting migrant-affiliated organisations demonstrate a potentially bleak future for migrants in Hungary as leader Viktor Orbán aims to protect national values. In the lead-up to the 2018 Hungarian election, Hungarian prime […]

Doubly vulnerable: Being LGBTI and Seeking Asylum in Hungary.

18th April 2018

Despite constituting a small percentage of asylum seekers, this minority faces a plethora of challenges that threaten their physical and psychological well-being. Ramen left Iran, alone, two years ago. He embarked on a journey to align his physical gender with his psychological one. Ramen was destined for Italy but his fingerprint trapped him in Hungary […]

A Prominent Use of Satire in Hungarian Politics

15th April 2018

The Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party’s logo sprayed onto a wall. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party has spreadheaded ironic political movements in response to Fidesz`s dominance. Amongst the various official opposition parties present on the Hungarian ballot list this past election is the Magyar Kétfarkú Kutya Párt, or the Hungarian Two-Tailed […]

Despite record voter turnout: Devastating loss for Hungarian opposition

13th April 2018

A high voter turnout was expected to be an advantage for the opposition – but the ruling Fidesz party, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, won by a landslide. To vote or not to vote. That was the question Hungarian voters had to ask themselves on Sunday when the national elections in the Eastern European Union […]

The New Stadiums are the Symbol of Fidesz

12th April 2018

The Pancho Aréna in the village of Felscút, where Viktor Orbán spent much of his childhood. Photo Wikimedia Commons Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács insists that healthcare and education that are thought to be dwindling are being funded “in parallel” with stadium infrastructure. Mere metres from, Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán’s holiday home in Felscút stands […]

Corrupting, Not Campaigning

7th April 2018

Hungary’s Failure to Address Campaign Corruption Undermines the Country’s Democracy In the week leading up to the national elections, Budapest is buzzing with spring fever along with the anticipation of the electoral results due April 8th. It is impossible to walk more than a block in the country’s capital without spotting a campaign billboard, poster […]

An Underdog’s Victory

6th April 2018

What Hódmezővásárhely Election Outcomes Means for Hungary Three hours south-east of Hungary’s capital, the small town of Hódmeszóvásárhely, more simply referred to as Vásárhely, flies under the radar most of the time. More recently, however, this town has been widely talked about and recognized for its latest political drama, when an independent candidate beat the […]

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