How Hungary’s knife-edge election could impact the US and Russia
How Hungary’s Knife-Edge Election Could Impact the US and Russia
Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s leader, has governed for over a decade and a half. His political stance, aligned with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump, has drawn global scrutiny toward the country’s 12 April elections. The BBC’s Europe Editor, Katya Adler, explores the significance of this close vote from Orbán’s hometown of Felcsút.
The results of the election may ripple beyond Hungary, influencing the geopolitical dynamics between the United States and Russia. While the focus is on domestic politics, the international community watches closely for shifts that could affect alliances or policy directions.
Other International Developments
Meanwhile, unrelated events unfolded across the globe. In Rome, crowds gathered to honor the late fashion designer Valentino, who passed away at 93. In Spain, storms named Marta and Leonardo caused severe flooding, displacing thousands. The same storms also impacted the Italian island, prompting the evacuation of over 1,000 residents.
At the Vatican, the US exhibition team, the Harlem Globetrotters, demonstrated basketball skills for the Pope, including spinning a ball on his finger. In Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit expressed regret over her connection to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, describing it as a “regrettable association.”
News from Ukraine highlighted both hardship and resilience. Despite Russian strikes crippling energy infrastructure and plunging the capital into freezing cold, citizens found small joys in unexpected places. Separately, a town in northern Italy kicked off its annual carnival with the traditional Battle of the Oranges, as residents hurled fruit for entertainment.
Another story from Germany saw the collapse of a decommissioned power plant’s cooling tower. Onlookers watched in awe as the structure crumbled. In Dublin, a commercial flight from Dubai marked a return after recent disruptions caused by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Italian firefighters captured a dramatic moment on video, rescuing a wolf from beneath a bridge. In Oslo, Marius Borg Høiby faced legal challenges, denying rape and other serious accusations in court. Jessica and Jacques Moretti were charged with involuntary manslaughter, bodily harm, and negligent arson.
Ms Pelicot called the man she lived with “inconceivable” for the atrocities he committed. Meanwhile, the relatives of Nazar Daletskyi learned of his death in 2022, the first year of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Russian editor Steve Rosenberg reported from the outskirts of the capital, where Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev was injured in an attack.
Survivors on the Russian front lines in Ukraine shared harrowing accounts of the conflict’s toll. In Italy, a €2 fee was introduced to access the viewing area of its famous fountain, ending free access. These diverse events underscore the interconnectedness of global happenings, even as Hungary’s election remains a focal point.