“The best thing in life was for there to be no complications. Secure job, good wife, nice home.” Thus ponders Aladár Vágrándy as he strolls towards his office to start his day’s activities as a middle-ranking civil servant in 1930s Budapest. Little does he suspect that by the end of the day the foundations of… Continue »

The opposition station Klubrádió appears to have made a breakthrough this week in its battle to remain on air, after the state media authority was found to have unlawfully withheld broadcasting rights. Budapest Metropolitan Court ruled on Tuesday that the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) had acted illegally in refusing to sign a contract… Continue »

The popular Night of the Baths goes full steam ahead next weekend with events planned at Rudas, Széchenyi, Gellért, Király and the newly renovated Lukács baths. From 10pm till 3am on Sunday, centenarian baths will throb to the sound of live acts with popular DJ sets. Gellért Baths from 10pm to 3am: Night of the… Continue »

The National Bank held its base rate at 7 per cent, the highest in the European Union, during a monthly meeting of its monetary policy council on Tuesday. This came against a background of a considerable strengthening of the forint against the euro to around 290. It hit negative records late last year, losing 16… Continue »

The European Union’s foreign ministers endorsed Serbia as an EU candidate on Tuesday following the clinching of a deal between the EU, Serbia and Kosovo over the status of the breakaway province. The decision to grant candidate status, which is likely to be rubber-stamped by EU leaders early this month, means Serbia will qualify for… Continue »