Persuasion not pressure will sway Orbán on Ukraine loan, EU hopes
Protests erupted in the capital as thousands demanded government transparency after a series of fuel shortages disrupted daily life. Demonstrators blocked major arteries, calling for an independent inquiry and swift economic reforms.
Authorities deployed riot police to restore order, with several storefronts damaged and a curfew imposed in the evenings. Health services reported minor injuries among demonstrators and security personnel, while aid groups offered medical support and water to those affected.
On the political front, opposition leaders accused the administration of mismanagement, urging negotiators to restart stalled talks with opposition factions. The executive urged calm and vowed to address consumer price pressures through targeted subsidies and price controls.