Visegrad Group in January 2026: the most important developments in politics
In the Visegrad Group countries in January 2026, the most reported political development was Hungary's decision to grant asylum to a former Polish justice minister. An aide to the Polish president said the president played no part in the man's application for asylum abroad. Poland also featured in other disputes. Russia summoned Poland's ambassador to demand the release of a detained Russian archaeologist who is also wanted by Ukraine over alleged illegal excavations. India criticised a Polish minister's visit to Pakistan, and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski replied that both countries condemn the invasion of international borders. The Polish president vetoed an EU digital law, warning against a "Ministry of Truth". Poland told its citizens to leave Iran immediately and said it would do everything possible to keep NATO united.
In Hungary, the president announced that parliamentary elections will be held on 12 April. Two surveys showed the main opposition party, Tisza, widening its lead over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz. Orbán said Hungary will not leave the EU because the EU will fall apart on its own, called European leadership a "German war troika" and said Europe is a major obstacle to peace in Ukraine. His government launched a national petition against EU aid for Ukraine. Kyiv summoned the Hungarian envoy after Orbán accused Ukraine of meddling in the election. The European Parliament questioned a proposed 17 billion euro defence loan to Hungary, which critics called an election gift. On 28 January Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony was charged with abuse of office over a 2023 Pride parade; he denies the charge and calls it politically motivated, and rights groups criticised the case.
US President Donald Trump invited Hungary to join a "Board of Peace" for Gaza as a founding member, and also invited Russia, Israel and Poland. The Czech Republic said it cannot pay 1 billion dollars for membership, and Sikorski dismissed the invitation to Russia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met Trump in Florida, where a nuclear plant deal was on the agenda, and both agreed the EU is in deep crisis. On 28 January Fico warned that Trump's mental state could threaten global stability; the White House and the Slovak government denied that any official report supported the remark.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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