International Relations

CNN:

Orbán says the EU – not Russia – is Hungary’s real threat ahead of April vote

The real threat facing Hungary is not Russia but the European Union, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a speech to supporters on Saturday, as his nationalist party ramps up an anti-EU campaign ahead of national elections.

With only eight weeks until the April 12 vote, Orbán and his Fidesz party are facing their most serious challenge since the right-wing populist leader retook power in 2010.

Most independent polls show Fidesz trailing the center-right Tisza party and its leader, Péter Magyar, even as Orbán has campaigned on the unsubstantiated premise that the EU would send Hungarians to their deaths in neighboring Ukraine if his party loses.

EURACTIV:

Commission should 'annul' €10.2bn payment to Hungary, European top court opinion says

The advocate general of the EU’s top court proposed on Thursday to “annul” the Commission’s 2023 decision to unfreeze €10.2 billion of EU funds to Hungary, arguing that Budapest had not fully met the rule of law conditions attached to the money.

Under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary has long been seen as a disruptive force within the 27-country bloc, repeatedly clashing with Brussels over rule-of-law standards, accession negotiations, or military assistance for Ukraine.

The European Parliament brought the case to the Court of Justice (ECJ) against the Commission in 2024, arguing that Hungary had not met the criteria for the funds release.

I have to say when I first read they'd give the 10.2B  EUR, it sounded really dodgy.  The timing might be coincidental what with the election just 2 months away.  Orban has to be a bit dumb - don't annoy your benefactor in the form of the EU if you want money from the club.   

Blaming the EU for everything is just nonsense.  If Orban doesn't like the EU and wants out, then hold a referendum on membership and determine if HUexit is the choice of the people.   Then Hungary will find out what happens Brexit style. It's generally thought Brexit was a huge mistake and economic failure.

Ramadan:

I just noticed it's Ramadan from 17 February 2026 (today) until 18 March 2026 approximately.

Doesn't affect me directly as such but I plan to fly via a Middle East airline during that period.

I might get food on the plane. 

Usually travellers can eat during Ramadan but who knows if the airline will observe the non-observant infidels.

Chagos Islands:

Four Chagossians return to islands in attempt to stop British transfer to Mauritius

Four Chagos Islanders have landed on one of the archipelago’s atolls to establish what they say will be a permanent settlement, in an attempt to complicate a British plan to transfer the territory to Mauritius.

The Mauritius attorney general said the move was a publicity stunt designed to create conflict over a 2025 agreement with Britain on handing over sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory, which is opposed by some Chagossians who accuse Mauritius of decades of neglect. Mauritius has denied the accusations.

Under the deal, Britain would cede control over the islands to Mauritius but lease the largest, Diego Garcia, for 99 years to continue operating a joint US-UK military base there.

Personally, I support their return to their homeland.  They pose no threat.  And the UK government should be supporting repopulation of the islands.  It could be resort islands.   And they should keep it British too.  The deal with Mauritius is ludicrous.