JUSTIN SPIKE

Reporter

Spike is an Associated Press reporter based in Budapest, Hungary.

Hungary’s Orbán meets Putin for talks in Moscow in a rare visit from a European leader

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare visit to Russia by a European leader since the Russian president sent his forces into Ukraine more than two years ago.

Hungary’s Russia-friendly leader is in Ukraine. It’s his first visit since the war began

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has made his first visit to neighboring Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Hungary’s populist Orbán to take over EU presidency as many issues hang in the balance

When Hungary takes over the helm of the European Union on July 1, many politicians in Brussels will have the same thing on their minds: whether populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will use the role to further his reputation as the bloc’s main spoiler.

Hungary’s ‘sovereignty protection’ office launches investigation into Transparency International

A Hungarian authority tasked with defending the nation’s sovereignty against foreign influence has launched an investigation into the Hungarian branch of international anti-corruption organization Transparency International.

Hungary’s Orbán shows weakest performance in EU elections in 20 years, opening path to pro-EU rival

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government in Hungary has declared a big win in the European Parliament elections.

For the Slovenian school where Mavericks star Luka Doncic got his start, he’s still a hometown hero

At the primary school in Slovenia’s capital where Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic got his start, he’s still the hometown hero.

Orbán’s party takes most votes in Hungary’s EU election, but new challenger scores big win

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s nationalist party has taken the most votes in the European Parliament elections, a race that has pitted the long-serving leader against a new challenger that has upended Orbán’s grip on Hungarian politics in recent months.

Hoping to deal a blow to Hungary’s Orbán, challenger holds mass demonstration on eve of EU election

A rising political newcomer hoping to deal a blow to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has mobilized tens of thousands of supporters in the country’s capital in a final show of strength on the eve of a European Parliament election.

Orbán stages a ‘peace march’ in Hungary in a show of strength before European Parliament election

A crowd of tens of thousands has gathered in Hungary’s capital in a show of strength behind Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Hungary’s Orbán pushes back on EU and NATO proposals to further assist Ukraine

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is pushing back against some NATO proposals that would allow Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike targets within Russia.

Hungarian politicians appeal to voters in first public TV debate in nearly 20 years

Nearly a dozen politicians have taken to the debate stage in Hungary’s capital to make their pitch to Hungarian voters ahead of European Parliament elections.

Hungary’s five-time Prime Minister Orbán is facing a new serious contender in upcoming EU elections

A rising political newcomer in Hungary is seeking to capitalize on a scandal that rocked the party of the country’s long-serving prime minister, Viktor Orbán, and a slumping economy to challenge the leader in upcoming European Union elections and beyond.

Hungary will seek to opt out of NATO efforts to support Ukraine, Orbán says

Hungary’s prime minister says that he will seek to opt his country out of any NATO operations aimed at supporting Ukraine.

2 dead and 5 missing after a boat collision on the Danube River in Hungary

Police say two people have died and five are missing following a boat collision on the Danube River in Hungary.

Social divisions and hostile rhetoric in Slovakia provide fertile ground for political violence

When a gunman shot Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico this week, shock rippled across the Central European country — even though the pro-Russia leader himself warned that the country was so divided that an assassination attempt was possible.

Who is Robert Fico, the populist Slovak prime minister wounded in a shooting?

Having previously served twice as prime minister, from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018, the 59-year-old’s third term made him the longest-serving head of government in Slovakia’s history.

Hungary will vote against U.N. resolution commemorating the 1995 genocide in Bosnia, minister says

Hungary will vote against a United Nations resolution commemorating the 1995 genocide of Bosnian Muslims at Srebrenica.

Xi’s visit to Hungary and Serbia brings new Chinese investment and deeper ties to Europe’s doorstep

Most countries in the European Union are making efforts to “de-risk” their economies from perceived threats posed by China.

Hungary and Serbia’s autocratic leaders to roll out red carpet for China’s Xi during Europe tour

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will spend most of his five-day tour in Europe this week in two small countries at the continent’s eastern half.

Orbán challenger in Hungary mobilizes thousands at a rare demonstration in a government stronghold

A rising challenger to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has held what he called the largest countryside political demonstration in the country’s recent history.

Challenger to Hungary’s Orbán announces new political alternative to tens of thousands of supporters

A rising challenger to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has mobilized tens of thousands of supporters and outlined a plan to unite the country and bring an end to the populist leader’s 14-year hold on power.

Does your dog understand when you say ‘fetch the ball’? A new study in Hungary says yes

A new study in Hungary shows that dogs, beyond being able to respond to commands like “sit” and “stay,” can learn to associate words with specific objects.

Former Hungarian insider releases audio he says is proof of corruption in embattled Orbán government

A former Hungarian government insider has released an audio recording that he says is proof of official misconduct within high levels of the government of populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Hungary’s Orbán congratulates Putin on widely criticized Russian election win

Hungary’s populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his victory in an election whose outcome was never in doubt after systematic crackdowns on dissent.

Hungary’s Orbán rails against the EU and ‘the Western world’ in a speech on a national holiday

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sought to mobilize support for his brand of right-wing populism, urging his supporters in a speech to help him “occupy Brussels” in European Union elections this summer.

Trump meets with Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orbán, continuing his embrace of autocrats

Former President Donald Trump has met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a conservative populist whose crackdowns in Hungary have sparked criticism that he’s eroding that country’s democracy.

Hungary’s president formally signs the approval of Sweden’s NATO bid, removing last obstacle

Hungary’s president has formally signed a bill approving Sweden’s NATO bid, removing the last obstacle after 18 months of delays that frustrated the alliance.

Hungarian parliament elects new president after predecessor resigned in scandal

Hungary’s parliament has elected a new president after its previous head of state resigned in scandal over a pardon she granted to an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case.

Hungary’s parliament ratifies Sweden’s NATO bid, clearing the final obstacle to membership

Hungary’s parliament has ratified Sweden’s bid to join NATO, ending more than 18 months of delays that frustrated the alliance as it sought to expand in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Hungary and Sweden agree on defense deal ahead of final vote on Sweden’s NATO accession

The prime ministers of Hungary and Sweden have concluded a defense industry agreement that will expand Budapest’s fleet of Swedish-built fighter jets.