University hounded out of Hungary by Orbán reaches out to new government

Central European University (CEU), which moved its main operations from Budapest to Vienna after pressure from Viktor Orbán’s government, is open to expanding its presence in Hungary. Its rector says the prospect reflects confidence in the country’s democratic future, following Péter Magyar’s election victory and pledge to restore academic freedom.

The university has not held formal talks with the new government and has no plans for a full return. It has 312 mainly administrative staff in Budapest and 476 staff, including all its teaching staff, in Vienna; any expansion would depend on independent funding and must preserve students’ ability to combine courses across campuses. CEU has more than 1,400 students from 103 countries, and its board will decide its future in Hungary.