Slovak Prime Minister Fico (L) speaks with Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán (R) in Brussels, Belgium, on March 20, 2025.
Opinion

How Hungary's election campaign spilled across borders

by Peter Techet

Hungary's parliamentary election campaign ahead of the April 12 vote is being fought even beyond the country's borders — and with an unexpected reversal of roles. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has shown restraint toward Slovakia's left-nationalist prime minister, Robert Fico, while Orban's main challenger, Peter Magyar, has adopted nationalist rhetoric, presenting himself as a defender of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia. In doing so, Magyar and his Tisza party accuse Orban not only of corrupt

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Central Europe’s shift against Ukraine, explained

The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek speaks with Slovakia’s former foreign minister Ivan Korcok about the country’s stance on Ukraine under Prime Minister Robert Fico, and what it means for Slovakia’s role within the EU and NATO.

Budgetary Permacrisis: Ukraine's fiscal challenges in 2026

Ukraine started 2026 with a sigh of relief. Positive news on debt restructuring, IMF aid disbursement, bumper foreign exchange reserves, and most importantly, a last-minute compromise €90 bn loan from the EU, suggested that Kyiv would have a moment to catch its breath. Three months on, and this optimism is firmly in the rearview mirror. Hungarian and Slovakian obstruction has derailed progress on loan disbursement, reforms needed for unlocking critical multilateral institution financing remain

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