Lili Rutai

The Man Who Could Topple Orban How Peter Magyar went from a former Fidesz insider to Hungary’s most popular politician.

A wonderfully reported profile of Peter Magyar, Orban's main challenger in the upcoming Hungarian election, by @lilirutai.bsky.social in @foreignpolicy.com:

Tens of thousands to attend rival rallies as Hungary’s election campaign kicks off Budapest marches by ruling Fidesz party and opposition Tisza will take place in a highly polarised political climate

Tens of thousands are expected to turn out for rival rallies by Viktor Orbán’s ruling party and his main opponent, Tisza, as they kick off campaigning for elections next year in a highly polarised political climate.

Read my latest article on The Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

‘They can exile us, but can’t silence us’: the young YouT... Hungary’s ruling party and its allies have seized control of the mainstream media, but the platform is giving independent journalists a voice

In Hungary, where TV, radio and print newspapers are dominated by pro-government messaging, YouTube has become a lifeline for independent journalism, attracting large youth audiences with witty and critical political content. @lilirutai.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/interna...

Israel kills Al Jazeera journalists in targeted Gaza City airstrike - Committee to Protect Journalists New York, August 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is appalled to learn of the killing today of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and M...

Israel just targeted and killed an entire news crew. This is not "just what happens" to reporters in war. Israel has killed more journalists in the 22 months since October 7 '23 than were killed WORLDWIDE in the 3 years between '20 and '22.
This is murdering the messenger.
cpj.org/2025/08/isra...

Online echoes, real-world rage: Europe's deepening hostility towards migrants Online disinformation fuelling anti-migrant violence

Across Europe, public sentiment toward refugees is shifting, with unease turning into hostility, fuelled by anonymous pages, far-right voices, and disinformation. I was part of an international team that dug into this in the latest Eurovision News Spotlight.
spotlight.ebu.ch/p/online-ech...

The Right Kind of Family | WePod - We produce podcasts The Right Kind of Family is a cross-border reportage podcast series in 6 episodes co-produced by El Paìs Audio, Chora Media, 444 and Europod.The series uncovers the rise of the Political Network for V...

Listen to episode 1, "A very bright future" on Spotify, Apple or on the WePod feed for free
www.wepodproject.eu/podcasts/the...

This week we released Ep. 1 of "The Right Kind of Family," a 6-part cross-border podcast series exposing how a global network of right-wing parties and orgs is working to roll back women’s rights - in the name of the family.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcast 🎧
(link in the comments)

Inspired by Hungary, Trump Is Turning to Natalism The Republican nominee wants to emulate the free IVF policy of his far-right friend Viktor Orban, but in Budapest, this has spectacularly backfired

The Trump administration seeks to emulate the natalist policies of the president’s far-right friend Viktor Orban. But one such policy — free IVF treatments — has already failed spectacularly in Hungary, writes @lilirutai.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social.

It was an honour to speak at London’s Frontline Club on Russia’s interference in Central and Eastern Europe. The discussion couldn’t have been more timely, as Hungary edges closer to Putin-style authoritarianism with a proposed foreign agent law. More here:
telex.hu/english/2025...

🎤 I'm so excited to join the "Putin's Pawns" panel at the London-based Frontline club next week, discussing Russia’s influence in Central and Eastern European elections!
🎟️ Details & tickets via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-disc...

Inspired by Hungary, Trump Is Turning to Natalism The Republican nominee wants to emulate the free IVF policy of his far-right friend Viktor Orban, but in Budapest, this has spectacularly backfired

The Trump administration seeks to emulate the natalist policies of the president’s far-right friend Viktor Orban. But one such policy — free IVF treatments — has already failed spectacularly in Hungary, writes @lilirutai.bsky.social.

‘We won’t be deterred or scared’: Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community fights for right to march in Pride Some want to oppose ban, others are nervous, but all see it as a warning sign under Viktor Orbán’s government

As the #Hungarian govt banned Budapest Pride, some in the LGBTQ+ community are thinking of leaving, while others are staying to fight - despite threats to democracy and rights.

My latest for @guardian: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Just in: #Hungary's parliament has passed a bill targeting #Pride, effectively banning gatherings that "promote homosexuality." Participants could face fines of up to 200,000 HUF ($550).

Hungary's ruling party submits bill to ban Pride march Hungary's ruling party submitted a bill to parliament on Monday that would ban the Pride march by LGBTQ+ communities and impose fines on organisers and people attending the event which Budapest has held for three decades.

Hungary's ruling Fidesz party submitted a bill to parliament that would ban the Pride march by LGBTQ+ communities and impose fines on organisers and people attending the event.

Hungarian residents afraid to use wells after oil spill After nearly 500 cubic metres of oil spilled from an old pipe, locals are demanding compensation and accountability from the Hungarian oil company.

In Gárdony, residents are fighting the aftermath of a massive oil spill - nearly 500 cubic meters, enough to fill one-fifth of an Olympic swimming pool. I wrote about their requests for compensation and transparency for @euronews.com
www.euronews.com/green/2025/0...

💥Orbán’s latest threat.💥

”Hungary had initially requested eight names be delisted, including other Russian billionaires such as Alisher Usmanov and Fridman’s longtime partner Petr Aven. But Budapest has dropped some of those demands, three officials said, while insisting on Fridman’s exclusion.”

#Hungarian govt plans to amend constitution to allow the expulsion of dual nationals if they "endanger sovereignty, (...) or security." Fidesz's Kocsis says this targets NGOs, politicians and "self-proclaimed independent media" - a worrying attack on #pressfreedom

Hungarian film-makers struggle for funding despite production boom While country draws international talent, domestic movies are more likely to get made if they align with Orbán politics

Ahead of the #Oscars, I wrote about the film industry in #Hungary, where independent filmmakers face funding struggles while the government backs films that align with the right-wing ideology of Fidesz. Read more here: www.theguardian.com/film/2025/fe...

Hungary Births Drop to Record in Blow to Orban’s Family Policies The number of births in Hungary dropped to a record last year, raising questions about the demographic impact of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s lavish family subsidy program.

Well... "The number of births in Hungary dropped to a record last year, raising questions about the demographic impact of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s lavish family subsidy program... JD Vance has praised Orban’s policies as a potential model."
www.bloomberg.com/ne...

Vice President of #Hungarian far-right Our Homeland party, Előd Novák announced beauty pageant for mothers-to-be to fight population decline. Family members can send photos w/o the mother’s knowledge, and the most beautiful pregnant women will win money and wellness holidays.

Surrogacy During War — The Dial Ukraine is one of the leading countries in international surrogacy — even during wartime.

1/ Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s surrogacy industry was the second largest in the world. @lilirutai.bsky.social reports on how the industry has survived the war—and what drives Ukrainian women to carry another family’s child: www.thedial.world/articles/new...

Surrogacy During War — The Dial Ukraine is one of the leading countries in international surrogacy — even during wartime.

On a recent trip to Kyiv, I met with agencies, doctors and surrogate women who told me that despite Russia's attacks, demand from foreign couples has reached near pre-war levels. I wrote about what's driving parents, concerns and safety for The Dial Magazine.

www.thedial.world/articles/new...

As Hungary Restricts Abortion Access, Women Turn To Mail-Order Pills — More to Her Story As reproductive rights face increasing threats globally, the number of Hungarian women ordering abortion medication online has risen by 60 percent since 2022. Photo: Reuters

Since Hungary tightened abortion rules in 2022, more women turned to mail-order abortion pills, data from WomenOnWeb reveals. I dive into why women are choosing this route in my latest on More to her Story. Read it here:

Orbán’s Global Playbook: Hungary’s Soft Power Moves Beyond Borders Via international publications, heritage buildings, political events and influencer campaigns funded from taxpayers' money, the Hungarian government is trying to be on your mind.

The #Hungarian government spent years and millions spreading their ideology outside of the country, via impressive buildings, a hand in international media and extravagant events. Read my latest piece about Orbán's soft power on the Hungarian Observer Substack!

Despite risks, hundreds of women return to wartime Ukraine to give birth Unable to navigate foreign health systems and disappointed by the level of care, refugees risk it all for their babies.

I travelled to Ukraine, Poland and Hungary to speak to new mothers, NGOs and doctors. My latest piece for Al Jazeera reveals why pregnant women deside to travel back to the war-torn country.

Spoiler alert: due to the lack of support and poor quality of maternity care in neighboring countries.