Fidesz

But most people in Hungary wondered why exactly Budahazy was chosen to be the lucky recipient.

President Novak, a former family affairs minister, is seen as a loyal ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, but also someone who cleverly navigates European diplomatic circles.

Both leaders sent pointed signals. Orban gave Francis a copy of a 1243 letter from Hungary's King Bela IV, asking Pope Innocent IV for help repelling Mongol invaders - a possible dig at the pope's welcoming attitude to migrants.

Chairman of Fidesz Party Viktor Orban (C) takes his oath as Prime Minister of Hungary after he was re-elected for his fourth consecutive term in the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, Hungary, 16 May 2022. EPA-EFE/Tibor Illyes

Meanwhile, Polish Minister for European Affairs Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek announced this week that Poland, together with the European Commission, will launch an initiative to find Ukrainian children reportedly kidnapped by Russia since the war started.

A major scandal rocked opposition parties as it was confirmed that former PM candidate Peter Marki-Zay's Movement for Hungary and some opposition-allied organisations received funds totalling 4 billion forints (10 million euros) from abroad before the April 2022 election.

Elsewhere, Pesti TV, an aggressively right-wing television station intended for young viewers, was also closed during the summer.

President of Hungary Janos Ader delivers his speech during a high-level debate of the UN General Assembly on climate change and sustainable development in the organisation's headquarters in New York, USA, 28 March 2019. EPA-EFE/NOEMI BRUZAK

Massive rallies against an unpopular tax reform have continued in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, where several thousand protesters gathered near the parliament building on Wednesday afternoon, many of them independent entrepreneurs affected by the changes.

It took only 24 hours for the Hungarian government to pass a bill that makes a simplified tax regime ineligible for hundreds of thousands of people.

The Small Taxpayers' Itemised Tax, KATA, was the most popular choice for almost 400,000 small businesses and self-employed, due to its simple administration and low tax rate.