Hungary

The country is facing a dramatic escalation in corruption investigations, marked by the arrest of billionaires linked to the former 'National Cooperation System' (NER) and the questioning of former ministers. This comes as Prime Minister Péter Magyar has intensified his confrontation with the Chief Prosecutor's Office, publicly accusing them of shielding criminals and demanding immunity waivers in several high-profile cases.

Adding to the turmoil, a major construction firm with ties to the previous government, Bayer Construct, has commenced bankruptcy proceedings. New allegations of financial irregularities are also surfacing, including questionable dealings in the ventilator business and a multi-billion forint defense contract with an English firm. Amidst these political and economic upheavals, the Tisza Party is gaining traction, with Fidesz mayors expressing concerns over its growing threat, while the country also faces economic challenges, with unemployment nearing a ten-year high and a continued decline in the birth rate.