HATC SAMPLE EDITION:
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28th May, 2026
Govt announces asbestos inquiry
Government spokeswomen Vanda Szondi, Eva Magyar and Anita Kobol announced a series of new measures at a Wednesday press conference, including the creation of an inter-ministerial asbestos task force and a joint Austrian-Hungarian committee to investigate asbestos contamination linked to crushed stone imported from Austrian mines.
Authorities are currently testing public samples, while a website has been launched to provide residents with updates.
Officials said the government would enforce the “polluter pays” principle.
Greenpeace has alleged that Austrian authorities were aware as early as 2011 that quarries supplying stone to the market were spreading material contaminated with asbestos, but failed to take substantive action.
The environmentalist organisation argues that the case reflects a systemic regulatory failure rather than an isolated lapse.
According to Austrian media, tests had already confirmed asbestos contamination at the affected sites in 1994.
Calculations by the G7 website show that around 2.8 million tons of stone and gravel were imported from Austria to Hungary between 1998 and 2025, generating an estimated Ft 77 billion in today’s prices for Austrian exporters.
The combined annual turnover of the three companies involved is estimated at Ft 90-100 billion.
Map-based analysis based on Tax Authority data suggests that since 2015, crushed stone from the Austrian quarries may have been spread to not only western Hungary, but also Budapest, and areas between the Danube and Tisza rivers. (telex.hu; 444.hu; 24.hu; portfolio.hu; index.hu; mfor.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Review of schools administration ahead
It was announced yesterday that the government ordered a review of the Klebelsberg Centre and public school administration, while promising greater powers for school principals, expanded union rights, and targeted back-to-school support for low-income families.
The government spokeswomen also said hospital infection data would become public under a new monitoring system due to be operative by September 1.
On economic policy, the government said private equity funds would remain legal but face stricter transparency rules, adding that there will be a review of the ownership structures of such funds as well as inquiries into the possible conversions of state assets into private wealth.
The spokeswomen were unable to confirm that Peter Magyar will meet with the President of the European Commission while he is in Brussels on Thursday.
A personal meeting of Magyar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is possible if Ukraine meets Hungary’s demands regarding the resolution of the situation of Hungarian minorities, they added.
The government reiterated that the Budapest Pride parade, scheduled for June 27, will be allowed to proceed under freedom of assembly protections, though authorities will decide on the event’s operational details.
The spokeswomen also signalled openness to future discussions on LGBTQ rights and broader constitutional issues, but said no cabinet decisions had yet been taken.
Additional topics included preparations for Saturday’s Champions League final in Budapest, which is expected to cause major traffic disruptions. (telex.hu; 24.hu; nepszava.hu; 444.hu; portfolio.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Govt to revoke 1,000 diplomatic passports
Foreign Minister Anita Orban has proposed revoking 943 diplomatic and service passports issued outside automatic entitlement rules, government spokeswoman Vanda Szondi announced on Wednesday.
The review covered 1,131 diplomatic and 191 service passports.
According to the government, serious irregularities were uncovered in the issuance practices under former Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
Parliamentary state secretary Gyorgy Laszlo Velkey said the practice posed national security risks, as diplomatic passports had been distributed “without justification” to friends, politicians, relatives, sports figures, and individuals linked to foreign business circles.
The government began the review earlier in May after violinist Zoltan Maga acknowledged that he had used a diplomatic passport during foreign appearances.
Previous reports revealed that thousands of diplomatic passports had been issued in recent years to figures including Gyorgy Schadl, the man at the heart of the bailiffs bribery scandal, football player Balazs Dzsudzsak, PR consultant Arpad Habony, and sports journalist Gyorgy Szollosi.
Justice Minister Marta Gorog is now examining whether the identities of passport holders can legally be disclosed while complying with privacy laws.
The government says future diplomatic passports will only be issued where clearly justified by the national interest. (telex.hu; 24.hu; 444.hu; economx.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Parliament halts withdrawal from International Criminal Court
In an extraordinary session on Wednesday, Parliament voted to revoke Hungary’s planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The bill passed with support from 133 Tisza MPs, while 37 Fidesz MPs voted against and five members of Our Homeland abstained.
The decision takes effect the day after promulgation.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar submitted the proposal on Tuesday, arguing that participation in the ICC is essential for holding perpetrators of the gravest international crimes accountable and for protecting international peace and human rights.
Hungary’s withdrawal had been due to take effect in June. (telex.hu; hvg.hu; 24.hu; 444.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Magyar dismisses TEK chief, plans police restructuring
Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced on Facebook that he is dismissing Janos Hajdu, head of the Counter-Terrorism Centre (TEK), effective Wednesday.
The decision was also published in Tuesday evening’s official gazette.
Magyar added that the government will soon present plans to restructure the police force.
The government also ordered a review of TEK’s operations to eliminate “unnecessary duplication” and create a more cost-effective policing system.
Interior Minister Gabor Posfai and Finance Minister Andras Karman were tasked with preparing the necessary organisational and legislative changes.
The TEK has been led by Viktor Orban’s former bodyguard, Janos Hajdu, since it was established by the Orban government in 2010.
Over the years, the agency, often criticised by opponents as Orban’s “private army”, expanded its role to provide protection for senior state officials.
Magyar had previously said he did not want the TEK, which protected Viktor Orban for 16 years, to handle his own security.
His security has been provided by the Standby Police since May 9. (telex.hu; hvg.hu; 24.hu; 444.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Gulyas and Magyar clash over appointment
In Parliament yesterday, Fidesz caucus leader Gergely Gulyas objected to the appointment of senior police officer Gabor Toth as state secretary for law enforcement.
Gulyas argued that Toth bears responsibility for police abuses in 2006 because he was the deputy to the Budapest police chief at the time, Peter Gergenyi.
He described efforts by police to quell a series of anti-government riots in October 2006 as a “crackdown” that marked “the absolute low point of post-regime-change Hungary.”
Magyar countered that Toth was never held responsible for the events and pointed out that Fidesz politicians, including Gulyas, had previously praised his work.
Magyar offered to send to Gulyas his own 2010 remarks commending Toth.
In response, Gulyas acknowledged that he had positively assessed Toth’s later work as Budapest police chief and during a 2010 parliamentary hearing. (hvg.hu; telex.hu; 444.hu)
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28th May, 2026
School starting subsidy promised
The government is preparing a Ft 100,000 school start grant aimed at easing households’ education-related expenses in September, the official Magyar Kozlony reveals.
The ministries of finance, education and social affairs have been tasked with submitting a detailed proposal for the scheme by June 15.The programme would also incorporate equal opportunities considerations, allowing support to be targeted more effectively towards lower-income and vulnerable families. (portfolio.hu; telex.hu; hvg.hu; mfor.hu; 24.hu; index.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Healthcare infection data to be published
The government plans to introduce a package of healthcare transparency and quality reforms, and will release hospital infection data, according to a decree issued on Tuesday.
According to plans, healthcare institutions will be required to use a standardised, state-run platform to measure patient satisfaction, with the resulting data made publicly available.
The proposed framework also introduces a “duty of candour”, obliging medical staff to inform patients or relatives promptly in cases of serious or unexpected complications, alongside the rollout of clinical outcome measurement systems.
A new supervisory body, the Healthcare Quality Control Authority, is also expected to be established. Modelled on the UK’s Care Quality Commission, it will operate independently of the ministry, overseeing provider inspections and publishing institutional quality ratings. (portfolio.hu; 444.hu; 24.hu; index.hu; telex.hu; mfor.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Govt appoints budget commissioners to MTVA and NMHH
The government will appoint budget commissioners to the state media manager MTVA and the media and infocommunications authority NMHH after Parliament’s finance and budget committee declined to approve their 2025 budget accounts.
Social Relations and Culture Minister Zoltan Tarr said “serious concerns” had emerged regarding the management of public media.
The commissioners will oversee operations and prevent new financial commitments or asset disposals.
According to Tarr, the goal is to ensure fair and balanced public media operations alongside stricter fiscal discipline.
During Tuesday’s committee hearing, NMHH president Andras Koltay reported that MTVA received Ft 155.1 billion in budget revenue and Ft 6.9 billion in commercial revenue in 2025, while total spending reached Ft 157 billion.
Tisza Party caucus leader Andrea Bujdoso criticised the report as lacking sufficient detail, particularly regarding staffing and material expenses.
Koltay responded that Media Council salaries are fixed by law.
The Tisza government has already launched a broader review of public media operations, including financial management, procurement, contracts, editorial practices, and institutional ties between MTVA, Dunamedia, and the NMHH. (telex.hu; hvg.hu; 24.hu; 444.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Orban says comeback as PM is not on the agenda
Former prime minister Viktor Orban spoke briefly to RTL in Felcsut on Tuesday, saying a return to the premiership is “not exactly on the agenda, as far as I can see.”
Asked whether he feared possible legal proceedings against himself or family members during an accountability process, Orban replied that he had always obeyed the law and upheld the oaths he had taken.
The exchange comes after the Tisza Party submitted a constitutional amendment that would limit prime ministers to two terms.
Tisza lawmakers insist the proposal is a constitutional safeguard rather than political revenge. (telex.hu; 444.hu; hvg.hu)
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28th May, 2026
June 27 date requested for Budapest Pride parade
Budapest Pride organisers have announced that this year’s parade will take place on June 27, after the Rainbow Mission Foundation submitted the required notification to police on Wednesday.
The group said it plans to hold a free and peaceful demonstration.
Last year’s 30th annual Pride march was organised with the city of Budapest after police initially banned the event.
The city’s participation meant that the march did not require police approval and therefore could not be prohibited.
Criminal proceedings were later launched against mayor Gergely Karacsony. The case was suspended earlier this year and referred to the Constitutional Court.
Interior Minister Gabor Posfai recently said Pride must be allowed to take place, though reforming the law on assembly is not among the government’s immediate priorities.
In their statement, organisers said restoring the right to assembly and reversing measures introduced by the Fidesz government remain essential for protecting LGBTQ rights in Hungary. (hvg.hu; 24.hu; telex.hu; 444.hu; nepszava.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Private equity fund rules to be reviewed
The government has launched an “extraordinary and comprehensive” review of the regulatory framework for private equity funds, according to a decision published on Tuesday.
The review aims to increase transparency around the ultimate ownership structures of such funds, while also preparing potential legislative amendments to the existing regime.
Finance Minister Andras Karman has been tasked with carrying out the review and drafting the necessary proposals, with a deadline of June 15. (portfolio.hu; 444.hu; telex.hu; economx.hu; blikk.hu; index.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Croatia wins lesser claim against MOL in INA-related dispute
Croatia has prevailed in an arbitration case brought by MOL, in which the Hungarian energy group sought euro 36.1 million in damages.
In a secondary claim, MOL was ordered to pay euro 91.1 million to INA.
The arbitration panel dismissed all of MOL’s claims in its ruling issued on May 26, according to the Croatian attorney general’s office.
The tribunal also ordered MOL to reimburse Croatia euro 775,000 in arbitration and administrative costs, plus interest.
The dispute followed earlier proceedings before the international centre for settlement of investment disputes ICSID.
In a 2022 ruling, that tribunal partially upheld MOL’s claims against Croatia, awarding the Hungarian company $184 million, rather than the $1.1 billion originally sought, over alleged breaches of contractual obligations linked to the gas business agreement governing MOL’s Croatian subsidiary, INA.
However, ICSID also stated that additional damages claims connected to the agreement could be pursued separately through commercial arbitration, prompting MOL to launch the now-concluded proceedings in 2023. (portfolio.hu; telex.hu; mfor.hu; economx.hu; index.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Croatia corruption claim against Hernadi rejected again
MOL announced on Wednesday that yet another international tribunal has rejected corruption allegations brought by Croatia against chairman and CEO, Zsolt Hernadi.
MOL highlighted that this is the third international decision concluding that Croatia failed to substantiate claims of bribery linked to MOL’s acquisition of management rights in Croatian energy company INA.
MOL added that the latest ruling again raised doubts about the credibility of Croatia’s key witness, Robert Ježić.
The company noted that the Swiss Federal Supreme Court had previously rejected Croatia’s claims twice, while Interpol also declined to support action against Hernadi.
The arbitration ruling challenges earlier Croatian court decisions that convicted Hernadi and former Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader on corruption charges, relying heavily on Ježić’s testimony.
MOL nevertheless acknowledged that the tribunal also dismissed its own damages claim in the case. The company warned that the outcome could create uncertainty for foreign investors considering Croatia. (portfolio.hu; mfor.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Zwack Unicum posts 7% profit growth
Zwack Unicum yesterday reported an after-tax profit of Ft 3.2 billion for the 2025-26 financial year ending in March, up 6.7% year-on-year.
Domestic sales rose by 3.7% to Ft 20.9 billion, while total turnover increased by 2.1%.
Gross sales revenue reached Ft 39.6 billion, including Ft 14.6 billion in excise duties and Ft 559 million from bottle deposits.
Excluding taxes and deposits, revenue rose to Ft 24.4 billion, a 1.6% annual increase.
The board will propose a dividend payout of Ft 3.1 billion, equivalent to Ft 1,550 per share, implying a dividend yield of 4.3% at current levels.
For the first quarter of 2026, the distiller realised a Ft 597 million after-tax loss, exceeding the Ft 467 million loss of one year earlier.
Gross revenue went up 9.8% to Ft 5.2 billion, while net revenue expanded by 5.8% to Ft 3.2 billion. (portfolio.hu; economx.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Hunguest Hotels doubles profit in 2025
Hunguest Hotels, 99.99% owned by Opus Global, reported a near doubling of profit in 2025, with after-tax earnings rising to Ft 5 billion from Ft 2.6 billion a year earlier.
The company retained the full profit, opting not to distribute dividends despite accumulated earnings from previous years.
Net sales revenue increased to Ft 49.8 billion from Ft 42.4 billion, based on an increase in domestic revenue from Ft 31.9 billion to Ft 37.5 billion, and a rise in export revenue from Ft 10.5 billion to Ft 12.2 billion.
The workforce expanded over the period, with average headcount rising to 1,682 from 1,416. Personnel costs increased accordingly from Ft 12.3 billion to Ft 15.9 billion. (hvg.hu; telex.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Profits soar at Budapest Airport
The operator of Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport significantly increased its profit last year, with after-tax earnings rising from euro 100 million to euro 184 million.
Net sales revenue grew to euro 475 million in 2025, up euro 63 million year-on-year.
Shareholders approved a dividend distribution of euro 150 million. Under the ownership structure – with the Hungarian state represented by Corvinus International Investment holding 80% and Vinci Airports holding 20% – the state will receive euro 120 million, while Vinci will take euro 30 million. (kontroll.hu; mfor.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Budapest taxi fare reform raises spectre of weekend strike
The possibility has arisen of a taxi strike while Budapest hosts the Champions League football final after the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has submitted a proposal package that includes the potential abolition of fixed taxi fares in the city.
Taxi associations have warned that drivers could stage demonstrations on May 30–31 if the plans are adopted.
Mayor’s Office Head Ambrus Kiss stated that Budapest has no intention of scrapping fixed fares, adding that the proposal will not be put to a vote on May 29.
Instead, the city council is expected to approve a roughly 27% taxi fare increase on Friday, the first adjustment since 2023. (mfor.hu; portfolio.hu; telex.hu; index.hu; 24.hu)
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28th May, 2026
Real-time train tracking returns
Transport and Investment Minister David Vitezy announced that the EMIG locomotive tracking system is once again available, restoring real-time information on train locations and delays.
While not all previous functions have returned, passengers can again monitor delays online.
Hungary’s real-time train tracking systems were effectively dismantled last summer after trains were renumbered, and EMIG and the popular Vonatinfo map were shut down.
Critics accused the previous government of limiting public access to delay information.
MAV later introduced the MAVPlusz platform, making disruptions less immediately visible.
Vitezy said the previous government responded to rail disruptions with secrecy instead of transparency.
He added that MAV had been instructed to restore public access to the former system and promised further improvements. (telex.hu; portfolio.hu; hvg.hu; magyarnemzet.hu; 444.hu; mfor.hu)
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