Photo : hungarytoday.hu
By Vaihali Chittrothu
HUNGARY
BYD to set up a new car manufacturing plant in Komárom
On 27 June, Hungary Today reported that the Build Your Dreams (BYD) car company from China was investing 32 billion HUF (80.25 million EUR) in a new electric bus manufacturing plant in Komárom, which would create 620 new jobs in Hungary. Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó said in Komárom (northwestern Hungary). This project would result in the establishment of a research and development test laboratory, and the plant’s capacity would triple, enabling it to produce a total of 1,250 electric buses and trucks per year. In his speech, he emphasised that BYD is a rapidly expanding company, with a 40 per cent increase in vehicle sales in the first five months of this year. That means Hungary had jumped on a fast train that many in Europe are trying to catch. He said, “The expansion of BYD’s activities provides an opportunity for Hungary to remain a European leader in the most modern sector, which is the backbone of the European economy, namely electric vehicle manufacturing,”. He even recalled that BYD had announced three major investments in Hungary in the space, with the company starting construction of its first European car factory in Szeged, then decided to move its European headquarters and research and development centre to Budapest, and now it was planning to construct a new bus manufacturing plant in Komárom. “We had to compete very hard for all three investments. And we competed with Western European countries for all three investments. So, there is an incredible hypocrisy here when Western European politicians talk about the need to distance ourselves from China and dismantle European Chinese economic cooperation, while in the background we are constantly competing with them for these Chinese investments,” he said. “Today, these investment competitions are so fierce that some people are resorting to morally questionable means,” Szijjártó said that a serious problem in politics is that some players want to divide the world into blocs again, which would be in sharp contrast to Hungary’s national interests. The government, therefore, advocates connectivity and global cooperation based on mutual respect. On the cooperation, he said: “We Hungarians see East-West cooperation not as a threat, but as an opportunity, and a great opportunity at that. It should also be clearly recognised that Hungary has benefited greatly from East-West cooperation so far.” He said that Chinese companies constitute one of the largest investor communities in the country and bring the most modern technologies to Hungary. He called it a huge achievement that in 2023, 44 per cent of Chinese investments in Europe will go to Hungary, compared to 31 per cent last year. He added: “In ten years, the Hungarian government has provided support for 64 major Chinese investments. These Chinese investments represent a total investment of 5,500 billion HUF (13.79 billion EUR) here in Hungary, creating 30,000 new jobs.” One of the main economic engines of the Transdanubia region had been created here, as evidenced by the fact that the industrial output of the Komárom-Esztergom County had tripled over the past fifteen years, crossing 5,500 billion HUF last year (12.54 billion EUR), while unemployment had fallen by half. He emphasised that this was partly because the state had provided support for 141 investments locally over the past ten years. (“BYD Breaks Ground on New Electric Bus Plant in Komárom Hungary Today, 27 June 2025)
NORTH MACEDONIA
Council of Europe reports improvements in FATF include rules on wire transfers, internal controls and oversight of foreign branches, and transparency
On 25 June, the Council of Europe reported a follow-up report on “the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism”. In a follow-up report the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body, MONEYVAL, found that the Republic of North Macedonia has made progress in strengthening its legal and institutional framework to deal with money laundering and the financing of terrorism, but noted that further efforts are needed to address remaining flaws. MONEYVAL is a permanent monitoring body of the Council of Europe responsible for assessing compliance with the principal international standards to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism and the effectiveness of their implementation, as well as with the task of making recommendations to national authorities in respect of necessary improvements to their systems. The report highlights improvements in line with three recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). These include rules on wire transfers, internal controls and oversight of foreign branches, and transparency around who ultimately owns trusts and similar legal arrangements. Since May 2023, North Macedonia has improved its obedience with FATF standards. Three recommendations previously rated as "partially compliant," those covering wire transfers, internal controls, and transparency of legal arrangements, were now considered "largely compliant." However, progress on financial sector regulation and supervision (Recommendation 26) wasn’t enough to change its rating, which remains "partially compliant." Out of the 40 FATF recommendations, North Macedonia now has: 31 rated as compliant or largely compliant; and nine rated as partially compliant. The country would report back to MONEYVAL in one year with an update on improvement in strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. (“MONEYVAL: North Macedonia improves anti-money laundering efforts, but gaps remain,” Council of Europe, 25 June 2025)
REGIONAL
Heatwave warnings issued across Spain, Portugal, France, Greece and Italy; Temperatures expected to cross 40 degrees Celsius
On 27 June, Weather forecasters said the heatwaves triggering wildfires and health issues in Europe were becoming more common every year. Extreme heat was being felt in Europe in the coming days. Though the Wimbledon tennis tournament was expected to be around 35 degrees Celsius (95 °F), southern countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece look set to see temperatures far higher still. In all, high temperatures are expected to affect the entire Mediterranean, from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkans. In Andalusia, a southern Spain region, temperatures were to climb to 43 degrees Celsius in a heatwave forecast to last until late next week. Spain's AEMET state weather service has also forecast high temperatures in the country's northeastern Zaragoza area. Spain says medical emergency staff expect to see a surge in heatstroke cases among children, the elderly and those with chronic illness. Temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius are also expected in neighbouring Portugal, where fire warnings have been given for northern inland areas as well as along the Algarve coast. In Greece, which was experiencing its first heatwave of the season with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius, a wildfire has triggered evacuations south of the capital, Athens, where coast guard ships and fire-dousing helicopters are actively fighting the blaze. Patrol boats have been deployed to the area for a potential sea evacuation. High temperatures and strong winds worsened the weather conditions. Athens and its surrounding areas remain on high fire alert due to the present situation. The Meteo France weather agency declared this week that France was experiencing its 50th national heatwave since 1947, with several regions under high-temperature alert. The weather agency said that higher surface temperatures in the Mediterranean have become an aggravating factor. In Italy, 21 cities were put under high temperature alert. Across the Adriatic, Croatian, Bosnian and Serbian authorities also issued health warnings as temperatures rose and as wildfires raged in Albania. The residents are advised to remain indoors during the hottest part of the day if possible. The meteorologists said that heat waves were increasing due to human-induced climate change. Statistics from scientists in Spain, for instance, documented only two June heatwaves between 1975 and 2000 but nine were recorded between 2000 and 2024. (Jon Shelton, “Europe: Scorching heat grips the continent,” Deutsche Welle, 27 June 2025)
Counter-demonstration to be held for Pride event
On 28 June, Hungary Today reported that CitizenGO and several conservative organisations held demonstrations in Budapest, Hungary, to defend Christian values against LGBTQ ideology and Pride events. They want to convey a message of “normality and morality” instead of a “culture of debauchery.” The demonstration was dubbed “anti-Pride.” The organisers would like to take a clear stand against the EU’s “globalist values,” which they said provided a breeding ground for the advancement of “gay propaganda and gender ideology.” CitizenGO has been actively involved in such movements for years: in 2024 they demonstrated in front of the CEU during a rainbow conference, and this year, they submitted a petition calling for a ban on LGBTQ organisations and Pride events. Conservative movements believe that “anti-Pride” is timelier than ever. They argue that the EU has “crossed every red line” by treating public marches by sexual minorities as official values, while Member States – including Hungary – are finding it increasingly difficult to take meaningful action against them. Although the Hungarian Government has passed a law allowing Pride events to be banned, organisers say that the police have so far been unable to make a legally sound decision that would be acceptable to the Supreme Court. CitizenGO feared that if the event was held, it would be a “moral stain” not only on Hungary, but on Europe that could mark the beginning of a “transhumanist era.” According to the organisers, foreign politicians, mainly from Western Europe, might attend the Pride event to demonstrate their support. The CitizenGO protest will take place on June 28, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Kossuth Square, near the statue of former Prime Minister Gyula Andrássy. The organisers welcome anyone who stands up for “Christian morality” and the “sanctity of the family.” (“Large Counter-demonstration Planned against the Pride March in Budapest,” Hungary Today, 27 June 2025)
European countries warn fine over participation in banned Pride event in Hungary
On 27 June, Euronews reported that several European countries issued travel warnings for their citizens who were planning to attend the event in Hungary because the government-banned Budapest Pride march had not yet taken place. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán prohibited the event, stating child protection as their utmost priority. However, the organisers didn’t back down and were expecting tens of thousands from across the continent to attend the event in Budapest. Many European countries warned their citizens that if they attended the Budapest Pride event, they would face a EUR 500 fine and additional risks. The UK government website noted that, as the event remains illegal under Hungarian law, participants could be identified using facial recognition technology and fined. “With policing arrangements for an illegal Pride march unclear and counter-demonstrations planned, there is a heightened risk to participants’ safety," the statement says. The Netherlands Foreign Ministry and Belgium issued a warning, highlighting that the demonstration was prohibited; anyone joining could face fines and potential counter demonstrations. France also issued a statement informing people that Hungary had banned the march, and participants would be monitored by smart cameras and face fines of EUR 500. "It remains unclear under what circumstances the Pride March will take place," the statement said, adding that participation in a demonstration is the responsibility of everyone. "In particular, in the interest of their safety, any participants are advised to keep their distance from possible counter-demonstrations and, in the event of disturbances, to follow the guidelines of the local police," the statement of the Belgian foreign ministry said.
Orbán hinted that police would not disperse the crowd, but participants would face legal consequences, and he said: "We are adults, and I think everyone should decide what they want, keep to the rules, or if they don't, they should face the legal consequences.” At least 70 MEPs from various political groups, along with European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lhabib, will participate in the Pride event. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Orbán to lift the ban on the Pride march. (Sandor Zsiros, “European countries issue travel warnings for government-banned Budapest Pride march,” Euronews, 27 June 2025)
Five Greece officials resigned from the EU in an alleged corruption case
On 27 June, Euronews reported that five high-ranking Greece’s government officials resigned from the EU in an alleged corruption case of farming subsidies fraud. It included a minister and three deputies, who mismanaged European Union farming subsidies. The case was originally between 2019 and 2022 by a government agency, the Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid (OPEKEPE), tasked with handling the funds. The European Public Prosecutor's Office said a "significant number of individuals" received subsidies through the agency based on false declarations, including claims of owning or leasing pastures that were public land. The suspects continued committing perjury of livestock until 2024, maintaining their subsidy payment entitlement. The prosecutor's office sent a hefty case file to Greece's parliament earlier this week, including allegations of the possible involvement of government ministers in a fraud scheme. Members of parliament enjoy immunity from prosecution in Greece that could only be lifted by a parliamentary vote. In a resignation letter to the prime minister, Migration and Asylum Minister, who served as an agriculture minister from mid-2019 to early 2021 said he was stepping down to concentrate on clearing his name. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accepted their resignations. Replacements for all five would be named "in the coming days," government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said in a statement. The European Commission announced earlier this month it would reduce the amount of farm subsidies for Greece by five per cent, for a total of EUR 392 million. (Gavin Blackburn, “Five Greek government officials resign over EU farming subsidy fraud allegations,” Euronews, 27 June 2025)