Hungary

The government's anti-corruption drive has reached the inner circle of the previous administration. Balázs Hankó, a former culture minister, has been remanded in custody for 30 days over the alleged misappropriation of cultural funds. He is joined in detention by Miklós Seszták, a former development minister whose parliamentary immunity was stripped following bribery allegations. Some legal observers suggest the next phase of the investigation may involve plea bargains, which would test the ruling party's claim that these proceedings are merely arbitrary.

At János Hospital, doctors have opened a formal dispute over pay, describing the current salary structure as a system in need of change. Their frustration coincides with a rare look inside the Fidesz party headquarters, where reporters noted a map of Greater Hungary and a leadership that seems increasingly preoccupied with its new role in opposition. Outside the capital, residents in the former ministers' constituencies are divided on whether the law is finally catching up with the 'big ones' or simply settling old scores.

The cabinet has allocated 19 billion HUF to begin preparations for a high-speed rail link connecting Budapest to Vienna and Warsaw, though it is counting on the EU to provide 11 billion HUF of that total. The project promises to cut the travel time to Warsaw by half. Separately, the government is reviewing utility subsidies; the state remains committed to keeping prices affordable, though it admits the current system of universal support is no longer sustainable.