University to stay put despite Soros foundations’ Hungary exit

The Central European University has said it will remain in Budapest even though the Open Society Foundations, with which it shares its main funder, are pulling out of Hungary.

The Open Society Foundations, which promote democracy, accountability and tolerant societies, announced on 15 May that they are moving their Budapest-based operations to Germany because the Hungarian government is due to impose restrictions on their activities in the country.

The CEU and Open Society Foundations are both backed by American-Hungarian businessman George Soros, who has been the target of legislation and public campaigns from the Hungarian government, led by prime minister Viktor Orbán.