Vučić concedes party's defeat in Serbia's record-turnout election as crowds celebrate in Belgrade
First published Mon, Oct 26
Aleksandar Vučić acknowledged that his party lost Serbia's election, which closed with record-high turnout. Crowds filled the streets of Belgrade on election night to celebrate the result.123
Celebrations carried a forward-looking message. "Tonight we celebrate the victory, from tomorrow we build Serbia," was the wording carried with photographs of the Belgrade festivities on election night.42
Hungarian opposition figure Magyar Péter responded to Vučić's announcement of his party's defeat.56
2
Lula wins Brazil's presidential runoff against Flávio Bolsonaro in historic comeback
First published Mon, Oct 26
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's presidential election, defeating Flávio Bolsonaro in the second round. Outlets described the result as a historic comeback for Lula.123
The runoff was the decisive second-round vote in one of the world's largest countries. Voting went ahead under tense conditions, and polling hours were extended.34
Hírstart framed the contest as a crossroads for the continent's largest power, asking whether the election would place its most precious diamond on Donald Trump's crown.5
Telex repeated its account of Lula's historic comeback win over Flávio Bolsonaro days after the first reports.6
3
Index.hu reported that the cause of the tragedy
First published Wed, Oct 28
Index.hu reported that the cause of the tragedy, which it said involved more than sixty deaths, had been established.1
Forbes Magyarország reported that Magyar Péter spoke out about the Spanish train disaster.2
4
Israel's election ends in deadlock as Netanyahu's bloc leads at 76 percent counted
First published Wed, Oct 28
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Israel's election produced no clear winner, with Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition performing better than pre-election surveys but falling short of the majority needed to form a government. The Zionist opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot also lacks the required majority. Arab parties performed well and could hold the balance of power, but both camps reject cooperation with them.1
As counting progressed, Netanyahu's bloc moved ahead. It led with 76 percent of votes counted, and after 50 percent of the vote had been processed his bloc had overtaken its rivals. Exit polls had pointed to no unambiguous winner and to possible political chaos.234
With no bloc able to assemble a majority, President Isaac Herzog is positioned to play a key role in what follows. Herzog said he does not consider the customary practice binding on him. One account of the count raised the possibility of new elections.56
Attributed claim: Coverage described the outcome in sharply different terms. Opposition outlet HVG reported that Netanyahu's coalition had done better than preliminary surveys while still short of a majority, and Euronews reported his bloc pulling ahead at the halfway point of the count. Pro-government Növekedés.hu called the deadlock alarming, while opposition outlet Portfolio.hu warned of political chaos.1374
5
Russia says it downed more than 500 Ukrainian drones as strikes hit Kharkiv and Voronezh
First published Thu, Oct 29
A large overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russia paralyzed air traffic in the Russian capital, Portfolio.hu reported. Moscow said it repelled the Ukrainian drone swarm and answered with a heavy strike, Növekedés.hu reported. Euronews.com asked whether the Voronezh strike, which killed two, would lead to negotiations.123
Ukraine's intelligence service published the equipment it says Russia uses to produce ballistic missiles, Vietnam.vn reported. The disclosure names the production chain behind Russian missile strikes.4
Also this week
Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.
A Győr court ordered the arrest of two suspects in the ventilator-procurement caseA Győr court ordered the arrest of two suspects in the ventilator-procurement case, one of whom served as the liaison with the foreign ministry. Investigators say billions of forints from the ventilator business disappeared through a network of shell companies. Eleven people have been questioned as suspects, and international arrest warrants are in force against several of them.
A Győr court ordered the arrest of two suspects in the ventilator-procurement case
First published Fri, Oct 30
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
A Győr court ordered the arrest of two suspects in the ventilator-procurement case, one of whom served as the liaison with the foreign ministry. Investigators say billions of forints from the ventilator business disappeared through a network of shell companies. Eleven people have been questioned as suspects, and international arrest warrants are in force against several of them.123
Tax authority investigators seized assets worth 1.5 billion forints and detained one man in the operation, which was mounted under the name Tisztítótűz. The key figure in the deal struck by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called the tax authority himself, and was told then about the international warrant out for him.43
One wanted suspect in the case wrote to the tax authority from Indonesia, according to hvg.hu. The same outlet reported that the money from the ventilator purchases was moved through shell companies.53
Attributed claim: Piac&Profit reported that a criminal organisation handled the disappearance of the ventilator money, describing the people involved as Viktor Orbán's scouts and raiders. The other outlets in the cluster reported the arrests, the seized assets and the warrants without that characterisation.612
Hungary's 2027 tax package brings back tax credit and reworks personal income tax reliefHungary's 2027 tax package will bring back a tax credit and change the current system of personal income tax relief, according to accounts of the plan published on Thursday. The changes affect hundreds of thousands of people and turn on the details of how the relief is structured.
Hungary's 2027 tax package brings back tax credit and reworks personal income tax relief
First published Thu, Oct 29
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Hungary's 2027 tax package will bring back a tax credit and change the current system of personal income tax relief, according to accounts of the plan published on Thursday. The changes affect hundreds of thousands of people and turn on the details of how the relief is structured.12
A calculation published by Portfolio.hu sets out how much the government would raise the minimum wage next year under the 2027 package. The figure is presented as an estimate derived from the tax changes rather than an announced decision.345
Telex's G7 analysis says the introduction of the personal income tax credit will make the Hungarian system resemble Estonia's. The comparison is drawn from the structure of the credit, not from any announced Hungarian-Estonian agreement.6
Attributed claim: hvg.hu reports that the Tisza party would abolish the current system of personal income tax relief and has calculated in forints how much tax credit each person would receive. The outlet frames the change as a Tisza measure, while the other accounts describe the package as the government's.7
Hungary's competition office fines Aldi 123 million forints over misleading "best offers" labelHungary's competition authority, the GVH, fined the supermarket chain Aldi 123 million forints, according to reports on the decision. The case concerns the chain's use of a "best offers" label on promotions.
Hungary's competition office fines Aldi 123 million forints over misleading "best offers" label
First published Thu, Oct 29
Hungary's competition authority, the GVH, fined the supermarket chain Aldi 123 million forints, according to reports on the decision. The case concerns the chain's use of a "best offers" label on promotions.123
The fine was imposed because the widest selection was not in fact where Aldi advertised it, hvg.hu reported. The GVH found that one of the country's largest retail chains misled Hungarian consumers, Világgazdaság reported.34
Mfor.hu put the finding plainly: the "best offers" label should not have been attached to something that was not the best offer. The 123 million forint penalty was carried by Portfolio.hu, 444, Piac&Profit and Hirnavigator as well.51267
Hungary publishes decree setting out Wekerle Plusz housing loan rules, replacing Otthon StartHungary has published the decree setting out the detailed rules of the Wekerle Plusz housing loan programme, the scheme meant to succeed the Otthon Start programme. The regulation appeared on Tuesday, and outlets reported it as the official framework for the new lending scheme.
Hungary has published the decree setting out the detailed rules of the Wekerle Plusz housing loan programme, the scheme meant to succeed the Otthon Start programme. The regulation appeared on Tuesday, and outlets reported it as the official framework for the new lending scheme.1234
Under the programme, loans for used homes cost more than loans for new ones, and the baby-loan element is less punitive than under the earlier scheme. The Wekerle programme is presented as the replacement for Otthon Start, with the rules now fixed in the published decree.4
Forbes Magyarország compared the two schemes to identify who gains from Wekerle Plusz relative to Otthon Start, while Portfolio.hu and Index.hu carried the decree's detailed provisions. Hirnavigator also reported the publication of the regulation.3125
Hungary's government to unveil 3 percent home loan, renovation and savings plan detailsHungary's government is preparing to announce details of its home-creation programme, including a 3 percent loan, a renovation scheme and a housing savings product. Magyar Péter will hold a press conference with ministers on the Wekerle programme and next year's budget.
Hungary's government to unveil 3 percent home loan, renovation and savings plan details
First published Tue, Oct 27
Hungary's government is preparing to announce details of its home-creation programme, including a 3 percent loan, a renovation scheme and a housing savings product. Magyar Péter will hold a press conference with ministers on the Wekerle programme and next year's budget.123
Magyar Péter and two ministers are due to make the announcements on the home programme. Magyar Péter has written about a relaunched panel-housing programme and a rental-housing programme.34
The budget for next year is being set out in detail alongside the housing measures. The government also disclosed how much it will spend to keep the Gondosóra programme running.516
Hungary issues European and international arrest warrants for Matolcsy Ádám in central bank caseHungary has issued European and international arrest warrants for Matolcsy Ádám, the son of former Hungarian National Bank governor Matolcsy György, in the probe connected to the central bank. Matolcsy Ádám has not turned himself in, which Forbes Magyarország reported worsens both his own position and his father's. The warrants follow the earlier detention of Matolcsy György, whose home was searched and who remains at the center of the MNB case.
Hungary issues European and international arrest warrants for Matolcsy Ádám in central bank case
First published Tue, Oct 27
Hungary has issued European and international arrest warrants for Matolcsy Ádám, the son of former Hungarian National Bank governor Matolcsy György, in the probe connected to the central bank. Matolcsy Ádám has not turned himself in, which Forbes Magyarország reported worsens both his own position and his father's. The warrants follow the earlier detention of Matolcsy György, whose home was searched and who remains at the center of the MNB case.123
Six private equity funds can be linked to Matolcsy Ádám, and 111 billion forints can be connected to him through them, hvg.hu reported. The figure places the case beyond a single arrest warrant and into a network of holdings around the former governor's son.4
The Tisza government also released new details of a programme that promises large sums of money to participants, according to Portfolio.hu. The outlet tied the announcement to the same week as the arrest warrants, presenting both as developments of the Tisza government.2
Gyurkó Szilvia to lead new body on infants stranded in Hungarian hospitals, concept due in 90 daysA new expert body led by Gyurkó Szilvia will be set up to resolve the situation of infants stranded in hospitals, and its work begins now. A concept is expected in 90 days.
Gyurkó Szilvia to lead new body on infants stranded in Hungarian hospitals, concept due in 90 days
First published Tue, Oct 27
A new expert body led by Gyurkó Szilvia will be set up to resolve the situation of infants stranded in hospitals, and its work begins now. A concept is expected in 90 days.123
The body is to handle the situation of children left in hospitals, with Gyurkó Szilvia as its head. Outlets described the case as involving hundreds of infants stuck in hospital care.34
A government decree on the matter was published in the evening hours, according to Liner.hu. The decree was described as important and immediate.5
France deploys 70,000 police as hundreds of thousands protest and clashes break outMore than half a million euros was raised within days to restore the burned-out town hall in Limoges. The anger of young people was described as flagging.
France deploys 70,000 police as hundreds of thousands protest and clashes break out
First published Mon, Oct 26
More than half a million euros was raised within days to restore the burned-out town hall in Limoges. The anger of young people was described as flagging.12
In Italy, police moved against an Instagram organiser behind the protests. Portfolio.hu warned that all hell could break loose in France within days.34
Trump administration floats Orbán as joint US-Chinese-Russian candidate for UN secretary-generalThe Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration would like to see Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the post of UN secretary-general, as a joint American-Chinese-Russian candidate. Hungarian outlets carried the report on Monday, describing sources who spoke to the paper about the proposal.
Trump administration floats Orbán as joint US-Chinese-Russian candidate for UN secretary-general
First published Mon, Oct 26
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration would like to see Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the post of UN secretary-general, as a joint American-Chinese-Russian candidate. Hungarian outlets carried the report on Monday, describing sources who spoke to the paper about the proposal.1234
Világgazdaság reported that Trump may already have won over the biggest players for an Orbán nomination, while Britain and France could still cross the American president's calculations. Pénzcentrum reported that Trump and Putin would propose Orbán to head the UN.56
The story rests on unnamed sources cited by the Wall Street Journal rather than on any announced nomination. Orbán's name was raised in the context of a joint US-Chinese-Russian candidacy for the UN's top post.34
Hungary's public broadcaster ends its contract with IKO, the producer tied to Mészáros LőrincHungary's public media has terminated its contract with IKO, the programme producer linked to businessman Mészáros Lőrinc. The company produced programmes for Petőfi, and its corporate network leads to Mészáros's circles.
Hungary's public broadcaster ends its contract with IKO, the producer tied to Mészáros Lőrinc
First published Mon, Oct 26
Hungary's public media has terminated its contract with IKO, the programme producer linked to businessman Mészáros Lőrinc. The company produced programmes for Petőfi, and its corporate network leads to Mészáros's circles.123
The split ends the working relationship between the public broadcaster and the production company behind the Petőfi programmes. Reports on the termination appeared on Monday and were still being carried by wire and pro-government outlets on Thursday.4256
