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☆ 'I Went to the Wall', Hungary's Orban Says After Agreeing to EU Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's Viktor Orban said on Friday that he "went to the wall" for his country before agreeing to an EU deal on Thursday to extend new aid to Ukraine and that he averted the risk of losing EU funds earmarked for Budapest from the bloc's joint coffers. In a regular interview on state radio on Friday, where he addresses his domestic audience, Orban said the agreement reached on Thursday was a good one. "I went to the wall," Orban said. "We are not sending weapons (to Ukraine), we get our money from Brussels, and we will contribute to the civil financing of Ukraine." Orban reiterated that peace talks should start between Ukraine and Russia as two years have now passed since the start of the war, and "time was on the Russians' side."

Persons: Hungary's Viktor Orban, Orban, Krisztina, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Union, European Commission Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Budapest, United States, Hungary, Brussels, Russia

☆ Hungary's Orban says EU should first sign strategic partnership accord with Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The European Union should first sign a strategic partnership agreement with Ukraine instead of starting membership talks with the country, Hungary's Viktor Orban said on Friday, flagging a way to a possible compromise ahead of a crucial EU summit. Orban reiterated on Friday that several issues would need to be cleared before membership talks could start with Ukraine, saying the country, making it impossible to assess what consequences Ukraine's membership would have on the bloc. So I will represent the view that the EU should first sign a strategic partnership agreement with Ukraine," Orban said in an interview on state radio. "Let's give time for us to work together, and when we see that we can work together, then let's bring up the issue of membership." The Hungarian premier urged a ceasefire in Ukraine, and said if the EU wanted to give more money to Ukraine then it should set up a separate financial fund outside the EU budget based on an intergovernmental agreement.

Persons: Hungary's Viktor Orban, Orban, " Orban, let's, Krisztina, Sharon Singleton, Gerry Doyle Organizations: European Union, EU, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Hungary, Hungarian, Brussels, Budapest, EU

☆ Argentina's new far-right president Javier Milei winning is a triumph for Tucker Carlson
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tucker Carlson interviewed Javier Milei in September, boosting his candidacy. Milei is a far-right firebrand and showman, compared by some to Donald Trump. AdvertisementAfter the election of far-right outsider Javier Milei as Argentina's president Sunday, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson took a victory lap. Carlson posted a picture of himself posing with Milei, whose candidacy he boosted by interviewing him for his show on X in September. In the interview, Milei echoed the rhetoric of former US President Donald Trump, questioning the climate crisis, urging right-wingers to wage culture wars with liberals, and pledging to cut government spending to reduce Argentina's spiking inflation.

Persons: Tucker Carlson, Javier Milei, Milei, Donald Trump, Carlson's, —, Carlson, Bauer, Trump, Hungary's Viktor Orbán, Jair, he's, soulmates Trump, Benjamin Gedan Organizations: Service, Fox News, University of Alabama, Reuters Institute, Fox, Trump, Latin America, Wilson Center, Associated Press Locations: Argentina, Washington

☆ 'Positions Not Matching Yet' as EU Leaders Fight for Slice of Budget Pie
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The bloc's executive proposed that member states chip in more to the shared coffers to provide 50 billion euros to Ukraine and spend another 15 billion on migration. Budgetary decisions require unanimity and divisions were on display on Thursday as the bloc's 27 national leaders arrived for a summit in Brussels. On the bloc's eastern flank, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that - beyond supporting Ukraine - joint spending should grow for improving EU defence capabilities. Lithuania said 50 billion euros for Ukraine was not enough. Orban's comments come as his government is trying to unlock billions in aid envisaged for Hungary in the EU budget but blocked by the European Commission over rule of law concerns.

Persons: Gabriela Baczynska, Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS, Alexander de Croo, Kaja Kallas, Kyriakos, Hungary's Viktor Orban, Orban, that's, Ireland's Leo Varadkar, Olaf Scholz, Marine Strauss, Krisztina, Tassilo Hummel, Rene Maltezou, Jan Strupczewski, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: European Union, EU, Belgian, European Commission, Diplomats Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Brussels, Estonian, Lithuania, Greece, East, Africa, Budapest, Hungary, Austria, Western Balkans, Germany

☆ Analysis: EUphoria! Poland election surprise spurs investor hope
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Donald Tusk, leader of the largest opposition grouping Civic Coalition (KO), delivers a speech after the exit poll results are announced in Warsaw, Poland, October 15, 2023. As Europe’s sixth-largest economy, a revitalised pro-EU attitude in Poland would be particularly welcome. The 66-year old Tusk and his pro-EU coalition allies may still have to wait weeks or even months though before getting a turn at forming a government. Duda has referred the issue at the heart of that row to a constitutional tribunal in Poland. The central bank though has slashed interest rates at its last two meetings as the election campaign burst into life.

Persons: Donald Tusk, Kacper, Poland's, Daniel Moreno, Mirabaud, PiS, Moreno, Hungary's Viktor Orban, Robert Fico, Tusk, Andrzej Duda, Duda, Viktor Szabo, Fitch, Szabo, Adam Glapinski, PiS ., Simon Quijano, Evans, Libby George, Karin Strohecker, Josie Kao Organizations: Civic Coalition, REUTERS, European Union, Law and Justice, European, EU, Brussels, PiS, Gemcorp, Ukraine, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Warsaw, Poland, Brussels, Europe, EU, Slovakia, Britain, London

☆ Robert Fico, pro-Russian Slovak political heavyweight wins another election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] SMER-SSD party leader Robert Fico walks outside his party's headquarters on the day of the country's early parliamentary election in Bratislava, Slovakia, September 30, 2023. Fico, who analysts see inspired by Hungary's Viktor Orban, has said he has Slovak interests at heart and wants the war to end. Born to a working-class family, Fico graduated with a law degree in 1986 and joined the then-ruling Communist party. "He became the most prominent political representative of a movement against face masks or vaccination," said political analyst Grigorij Meseznikov. Fico also swatted away accusations of graft that have dogged his party during his political career.

Persons: Robert Fico, Eva Korinkova, Michal Vasecka, Fico, Hungary's Viktor Orban, Viktor Orban, Zuzana Caputova, George Soros, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kusnirova, SMER, Grigorij Meseznikov, Jan Lopatka, Michael Kahn, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Institute, Ukraine, NATO, Reuters, Communist, European Court, Human Rights, Democracy, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Rights BRATISLAVA, European, Brussels, Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Hungarian, France, Germany

☆ Robert Fico, Pro-Russian Slovak Political Heavyweight Wins Another Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Fico, who analysts see inspired by Hungary's Viktor Orban, has said he has Slovak interests at heart and wants the war to end. Born to a working-class family, Fico graduated with a law degree in 1986 and joined the then-ruling Communist party. Polling under 10%, Fico once sought to address voter fears during the coronavirus pandemic when he slammed government health measures. "He became the most prominent political representative of a movement against face masks or vaccination," said political analyst Grigorij Meseznikov. Fico also swatted away accusations of graft that have dogged his party during his political career.

Persons: Jan Lopatka, Robert Fico, Michal Vasecka, Fico, Hungary's Viktor Orban, Viktor Orban, Zuzana Caputova, George Soros, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kusnirova, SMER, Grigorij Meseznikov, Michael Kahn, Michael Perry Organizations: European Union, Institute, Ukraine, NATO, Reuters, Communist, European Court, Human Rights, Democracy Locations: Jan Lopatka BRATISLAVA, European, Brussels, Europe, Slovakia, Bratislava, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Hungarian, France, Germany

☆ Dutch PM Rutte faces no confidence vote after collapse of government
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, July 10 (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte faces a no confidence vote in parliament on Monday which could end his run as the longest serving government leader in Dutch history, three days after he abruptly handed in the resignation of his fourth administration. Normally a no confidence vote wouldn't threaten Rutte, as he could count on the support of his four-party majority government. The leader of the liberal D66, the second-largest party after Rutte's conservative VVD, said the prime minister had behaved "irresponsibly", while the Christian Democrat CDA called him "reckless". Coalition partners have not made clear if they will support the no confidence vote during the debate, scheduled to start at 0815 GMT. Rutte, 56, became prime minister in 2010 and is the longest serving government leader in the EU after Hungary's Viktor Orban.

Persons: Mark Rutte, Rutte, Attje Kuiken, Hungary's Viktor Orban, Bart Meijer, Lincoln Organizations: Dutch, Labour, Christian Union, CDA, Coalition, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM

☆ Dutch government collapses over immigration policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AMSTERDAM, July 7 (Reuters) - The Dutch government on Friday collapsed after failing to reach a deal on restricting immigration, junior coalition partner Christian Union said, a move expected to trigger new elections in the fall. Therefore they decided to end this government," party spokesman Tim Kuijsten said, confirming media reports that Prime Minister Mark Rutte would tender the resignation of his government. The Netherlands already has a one of Europe's toughest immigration policies but under the pressure of right-wing parties, Rutte had for months been trying to seek ways to further reduce the inflow of asylum seekers. He promised to improve conditions at the facilities, mainly by reducing the number of refugees that reach the Netherlands. Rutte, 56, is the longest-serving government leader in Dutch history and the most senior in the EU after Hungary's Viktor Orban.

Persons: Tim Kuijsten, Mark Rutte, Rutte, Kajsa Ollongren, Hungary's Viktor Orban, Bart Meijer, Anthony Deutsch, Stephanie van den, Sandra Maler Organizations: Christian Union, Defence, Frontieres, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, Netherlands

☆ Retired general Pavel leads in poll ahead of Czech presidential vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PRAGUE, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Retired general Petr Pavel held a 15 percentage point lead over billionaire ex-premier Andrej Babis heading into a Jan. 27-28 presidential run-off vote, a Czech Television poll showed on Saturday. The poll showed Pavel leading with 53% compared to 38% for Babis with 9% undecided. The expected turnout could hit 84% in the poll next weekend, the highest ever in a Czech presidential vote, the survey found. Pavel, 61, is strongly pro-Western and supports further military aid for Ukraine as well as adoption of the euro. Pavel started his military career in the 1980s and enrolled in a military intelligence training course, which he completed after Communist rule collapsed.

☆ Former NATO general, ex-prime minister seen leading Czech presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] Czech presidential candidate and former Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and Czech Army General Petr Pavel casts his ballot during the country's direct presidential election in the village of Cernoucek, Czech Republic, January 13, 2023. The post does not carry executive authority but has significant powers in appointing prime ministers, central bank chiefs and nominating judges for the constitutional court. Pavel, 61, and Nerudova, 44, are strongly pro-Western and support further military aid for Ukraine as well as adoption of the euro. They would not have decision-making power in those affairs but could set the agenda in public and political consultations. Babis has also spoken against more Czech military aid for Ukraine.

☆ Ex-ambassador says the US and its allies need to bring Hungary's authoritarian leader 'to his senses' as he and Turkey's Erdogan hold NATO's expansion hostage
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Hungary and Turkey are the only two states that haven't approved adding Finland and Sweden to NATO. One ex-diplomat told Insider the US and its allies need to bring Orbán "to his senses." Hungary and Turkey, however, have yet to sign off on adding new members to the alliance and are instead purposefully holding up proceedings. Both leaders have tried to leverage their own strategic interests in exchange for approving what would be a major expansion of the NATO alliance, interests like security guarantees or pleasing other heads of state. The two Nordic countries would provide the NATO alliance with a significant boost to its overall military capabilities across all domains — air, land, sea, and with intelligence.

☆ The far-right is expected to win Italy's election in Rome's biggest political shift for decades
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The Brothers of Italy party stands out from the crowd and is expected to gain the largest share of the vote for a single party. Giorgia Meloni, leader of the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) holds a giant Italian national flag during a political rally on February 24, 2018 in Milan, Italy. The snap election follows the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Draghi in July, after he failed to unite a fractious political coalition behind his economic policies. An election win by Fratelli d'Italia could see the party's leader, Giorgia Meloni, become Italy's first female prime minister. Fratelli d'Italia has been pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine and supports sanctions against Russia, unlike Lega which is ambivalent about those measures.

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