New Hungarian leader says he could sign a political agreement with the EU in mid-May

The commission also got asked about the Italian proposals for a “wild west-style bounties” that could be paid to Italian lawyers if they successfully convince their immigrant clients to return home.

Our Rome correspondent Angela Giuffrida reported on the controversial proposal over the weekend:

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© Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images

Péter Magyar hopes building stronger relations with Poland will help restore ties with bloc after Orbán’s rule

The Hungarian election winner, Péter Magyar, is eyeing a special relationship with Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk to draw on the neighbouring country’s experience of repairing relations with the EU after years of illiberal rule.

Since 1989, the two countries have seemingly shared parallels in their paths. Now the two centre-right, pro-European leaders preside over the tricky task of restoring the rule of law and improving state institutions after years of democratic backsliding and clashes with the EU.

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© Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

© Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

© Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

As Orbán is rejected, there is cautious optimism new leader can restore ties – but issues such as EU accession loom large

Like many Ukrainians, Oleh Kupchak was delighted when Péter Magyar won Hungary’s election last weekend, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power. “We were euphoric. Everyone was following the results closely. There were toasts,” said Kupchak, who has visited Budapest several times. “We didn’t love Orbán,” he added.

Ukraine celebrated Orbán’s landslide defeat in a series of jokes and memes. Several likened him to the Star Wars character Jabba the Hut, and shared an image of Orbán fleeing from a drone. Others portrayed him sitting on a bench in Russia, alongside Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin former president Viktor Yanukovych, and his exiled Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.

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© Photograph: Bernadett Szabó/Reuters

© Photograph: Bernadett Szabó/Reuters

© Photograph: Bernadett Szabó/Reuters

Departing PM Viktor Orbán admits ‘political era has ended’ as EU says ‘clock is ticking’ to resolve important issues

EU officials have arrived in Budapest for high-stakes talks aimed at reshaping the bloc’s strained relationship with Hungary, weeks before the new government takes office, as the country’s departing prime minister, Viktor Orbán, admitted a “political era has ended” and suggested he would stay on as leader of his party in his first interview since the election.

Speaking to the pro-government outlet Patrióta, Orbán described Sunday’s election as an “emotional rollercoaster” after the opposition Tisza party won a landslide victory, bringing an end to his 16 years in power.

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© Photograph: Robert Hegedus/AP

© Photograph: Robert Hegedus/AP

© Photograph: Robert Hegedus/AP

Individuals such as Matt Goodwin and Lord Frost benefited from largesse of self-styled ‘illiberal democracy’

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The last 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s rule have been kind to a number of British political figures – from the Tory peer David Frost to Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin and James Orr.

All benefited from largesse extended by the self-styled “illiberal democracy” established by the Hungarian leader’s ruling Fidesz party, which took a particular liking for those on the harder right of British conservatism.

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© Photograph: Bernadett Szabó/Reuters

© Photograph: Bernadett Szabó/Reuters

© Photograph: Bernadett Szabó/Reuters

The international premiere of documentary “Spring Wind – The Awakening,” charting the political journey of Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar that culminated with his historic victory on Sunday in the country’s general elections, will open Italy’s Riviera International Film Festival on May 5. “Spring Wind – The Awakening,” which is directed by  Tamás Yvan Topolánszky, […]

Ukrainian president says nearly 700 Russian drones and 19 ballistic missiles mostly targeted Kyiv, Odesa and Dnipro

German chancellor Friedrich Merz and Irish prime minister Micheál Martin are now speaking at a press conference after their meeting in Berlin.

Let’s listen in.

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© Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

© Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

© Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

Some western conservatives are upset that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was defeated in a landslide election last weekend. This is silly: Orban was a rotten leader, and his centre-right successor, Peter Magyar, represents a superior model of conservative governance. Read More

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Meanwhile, Nato chief Mark Rutte urged members of the military alliance not to “lose sight” of the Ukraine conflict, and to boost their backing for Kyiv to $60bn in 2026, AFP reported.

His comments came at the start of a meeting in Berlin of defence ministers from Ukraine’s key supporters, including Germany and Britain, with the conflict against Russia now in its fifth year.

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© Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AP

© Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AP

© Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AP

Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar has scored a landmark election victory over Prime Minister Viktor Orban, ousting US President Donald Trump's closest ally in Europe on promises of rebuilding the country's European Union ties and curbing them with Moscow.

Hungarians vote in elections on April 12 as war rages in neighboring Ukraine and the government’s relationship with Russia is under intense scrutiny. Polls suggest that after 16 years in office, Prime Minister Viktor Orban may lose power to opposition leader Peter Magyar.

Serbian authorities are investigating a possible sabotage attempt after they discovered explosives near a gas pipeline by the Hungarian border. On April 6, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hinted at Ukrainian involvement in the apparent plot, a suggestion rejected by both Ukraine and Serbia.