Visegrad Group

Economic policy is pivoting from Russia towards the US, driven by Hungary's new leadership. Viktor Orbán had sought to buy US oil and link a Kyiv loan to oil flows, while Slovak PM Fico attacked EU energy policy. Hungarian assets surged on expectations of improved EU ties following Orbán's election loss.

• 8DeepSeek launches V4 AI model, challenging US rivals
• 6EU optimistic about ending Hungary's veto on €90bn loan for Ukraine
• 6First trip to Warsaw, then to Brussels to unlock EU funds: Magyar
• 4Ukraine Ready to Resume Druzhba Flows To Hungary, Slovakia
• 3Oil supplied to Slovakia via Druzhba pipeline after three-month shutdown

Hungarian politics has undergone a historic transfer of power, with Peter Magyar defeating Viktor Orbán and calling for sweeping change. The election period was marked by Orbán's accusations of foreign plots against the opposition and a leaked call showing he offered help to Putin. US Senator JD Vance campaigned in Hungary to support Orbán before his defeat.

• 167Viktor Orbán concedes election defeat in Hungary
• 62Hungary’s New Leader Calls for Sweeping Change After Orban
• 47US Senator campaigns in Hungary to support Prime Minister
• 25Hungary's Orban accuses opposition of foreign plots ahead of election
• 22JD Vance defends backing 'great guy' Orbán's campaign after landslide defeat

Security is dominated by a direct threat to energy infrastructure, with explosives found near a Serbia-Hungary gas pipeline, prompting Hungary to convene its security council and place the pipeline under military protection. New leader Peter Magyar has pledged to investigate the alleged TurkStream sabotage, while Poland intercepted a Russian military aircraft over the Baltic.

• 44Explosives found near gas pipeline between Serbia and Hungary
• 6Vucic warns Orban, 'found explosives,' but for Budapest it's the Ukrainians
• 4Hungary offered to help Iran following Hezbollah pager explosions - report
• 3Czech Republic's defense spending and capabilities under scrutiny
• 3Tusk Says Ukraine Will Help Poland Build ‘Drone Armada’

Society is in a phase of intense political mobilization and celebration following the election, marked by large protests and concerts against Orbán and subsequent celebrations of his defeat. The dominant tension over state-controlled media has reached a climax, with new leader Peter Magyar vowing to shut down Hungarian state TV, which he compared to 'North Korea'.

• 13Iran’s Reality Shatters JD Vance’s Hungarian Fantasy
• 6Magyar vows to shut down Hungarian state TV akin to 'North Korea'
• 5Large Budapest concert draws tens of thousands urging voters to oppose Orbán
• 4Budapest celebrates after Orban loses election in Hungary
• 3Europe Today Special: Magyar beats Orbán — what's next for EU-Hungary relations?