The head of the Central European University promised on Tuesday to keep operating in Budapest as best it can, despite problems posed by a new law and an old dispute between its founder U.S. financier George Soros and Hungary’s right-wing leader.
Rector Michael Ignatieff ruled out any exodus of students from the Hungarian capital and said the university would even expand there if it reaches an agreement with the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an open enemy of Soros and the liberal values that the billionaire is trying to promote.
However, Ignatieff told Reuters that the class of 2019 would have to enroll over the Austrian border in Vienna if the Central European University (CEU) fails to strike the deal under a Hungarian law that provoked street protests last year and has drawn a legal challenge by the European Commission.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!