Overview

• Viktor Orbán received Angela Merkel at his Budapest residence and posted a photo on X with the message, “Once a Chancellor, always a Chancellor in our eyes. Welcome to Hungary, Angela Merkel!”
• Merkel is in Hungary to present her autobiography, Freiheit, with a scheduled talk at Central European University in Budapest.
• The meeting was unexpected given years of tension dating to the 2015 refugee crisis and sharp differences over migration policy.
• The reception prompted criticism from conservative Hungarian commentators and Fidesz‑aligned voices, including remarks that she did not merit such an honor.
• Merkel left office four years ago, and reporting notes Germany’s current leadership under Friedrich Merz and Alexander Dobrindt is pursuing stricter migration policies.