Viktor Orban

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a panel discussion with a white blurry background.

Orbán portrays himself as a ‘defender of Christianity.’ Critics aren’t so sure.

Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s prime minister, portrays himself as a defender of Christianity, a religion which he says is under threat as a result of immigration, globalism and liberalism. Orbán’s critics question the sincerity of the Hungarian leader’s faith and wonder if his pro-Christian rhetoric is simply all about staying in power.

Orbán portrays himself as a ‘defender of Christianity.’ Critics aren’t so sure.
Roma radio presenter Szandi Minzari and co-host Melanie Nagy are both divorced, single mothers who speak about taboo issues in Hungary's Roma community.

A new Roma radio station gets people talking about taboo issues in Hungary

A new Roma radio station gets people talking about taboo issues in Hungary
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban arrives for the an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders to discuss Ukraine, energy and food security in Brussels

Hungary's Orban wins exemption in EU Russian oil embargo

Hungary's Orban wins exemption in EU Russian oil embargo
Smoke rise from an air defense base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022.

Russia attacks Ukraine; peace in Europe 'shattered'

Russia attacks Ukraine; peace in Europe 'shattered'
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is shown on a TV hanging on the wall in the distance with several people wearing face masks stand in the nearground.

Blinken pushes back against lawmakers' criticism of Afghanistan withdrawal.

Blinken pushes back against lawmakers' criticism of Afghanistan withdrawal.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is shown wearing a blue suit and orange tie while speaking at a podium with two microphones.

Hungary's parliament overhauls higher education amid outcry

Hungary's parliament on Tuesday voted to transfer state assets worth billions of dollars into foundations that will control many of the country's public universities and cultural institutions, a move opposition figures have decried as a theft of public funds.

Hungary's parliament overhauls higher education amid outcry
A woman is shown walking with through a area with flowering trees while holding an umbrella.

Japan declares emergency; Coronavirus impacts democratic participation; Hezbollah's latest front line?

Japan has issued emergency declarations for several prefectures, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care. And, in Lebanon, Hezbollah's latest front line is the fight against coronavirus. And in Iran many are wondering if they can survive the disease and the financial crisis accelerated by US sanctions. Also, these monkeys at the Tulane National Primate Research Center are helping humans fight the coronavirus.

Japan declares emergency; Coronavirus impacts democratic participation; Hezbollah's latest front line?
A man in a suit stands in front of European flags

Emergency authoritarianism? Hungary’s Orbán uses coronavirus to seize more power

Hungary's government under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has granted itself sweeping powers under the auspices of the coronavirus pandemic. But critics warn it is hastening Hungary's authoritarian decline.

Emergency authoritarianism? Hungary’s Orbán uses coronavirus to seize more power
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is shown standing among lawmakers and wearing a dark suit jacket.

Global leadership withers as strongmen grab power; Unemployment rises, frontline workers fear for livelihoods; Gaza Strip fears spread of the coronavirus

Novel coronavirus cases continue their exponential rise. But desperately needed global leadership is retreating behind national borders — and in some cases, leaders continue to deny the severity of the crisis. Also, unemployment in the US has hit record numbers, and health care workers around the globe continue to face personal and financial risks. And, should Americans be wearing masks in public? When the people are away, the animals will come out to play. In Wales, a herd of goats has taken to the streets of a resort town.

Global leadership withers as strongmen grab power; Unemployment rises, frontline workers fear for livelihoods; Gaza Strip fears spread of the coronavirus
Protesters wa;l through the streets of a city carrying Russian flags and large signs written in Russian.

Laws are chipping away at democracy around the world

New research shows how recent laws have slowly eroded the role of nongovernmental agencies all over the world . Experts have said that these actions threaten democracy in countries where institutions have already become weak. See where and how laws like these have had their biggest impact.

Laws are chipping away at democracy around the world
hungarian woman reaches under a partition for money

Expert: 'Women are going to bear the burden of Orbán's failed economic policies.'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called for larger Hungarian families to combat the country's low birth rate and shrinking labor force. In exchange, he's willing to provide financial benefits and programs for women like loan expansion programs, subsidies for cars, and no required income tax for women with four or more children.

Expert: 'Women are going to bear the burden of Orbán's failed economic policies.'
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stands in front of several flags while speaking into several media microphones

What does Hungary's crackdown on free media mean for the rest of the world?

Analysts say Hungary's Viktor Orbán has created "a new kind of model about how autocrats operate."

What does Hungary's crackdown on free media mean for the rest of the world?
In this illustration, a man is seen sweeping thought bubbles underneath a rug

As Orbán rises, Hungary's free press falls

Since Viktor Orbán returned to power in 2010, the media in Hungary has been consolidated by the government and friends of the government. Independent voices that remain are struggling to fund their journalism.

As Orbán rises, Hungary's free press falls
A large face made out of a razor wire blocks a man holding a suitcase in this illustration.

In Orbán’s Hungary, refugees are unwelcome — so are those who try to help

Viktor Orbán rose to power on an anti-migrant platform and has severely limited refugee resettlement in the country. But for refugees who have made it and for the NGOs helping migrants, today's Hungary is an uncomfortable place.

In Orbán’s Hungary, refugees are unwelcome — so are those who try to help
Orban points his finger with red and white flags behind him.

How Viktor Orban degraded Hungary's weak democracy

In the last nine years, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has created a repressive and increasingly authoritarian state, operating under a pretense of democracy. In recent weeks the political situation has become volatile.

How Viktor Orban degraded Hungary's weak democracy