The conflicting missions of Viktor Orbán
The Hungarian premier’s alignment with Putin’s Russia sits increasingly uneasily with his domestic and European political ambitions.
Stephen Pogány
How populists stay popular, from Ankara to Budapest
Once installed in power, authoritarian leaders such as Erdoğan and Orbán are very hard to dislodge.
Time to confront Europe’s rogue state—Hungary
For the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, the European Union is the enemy, not Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Fidesz and Orbán triumph in Hungary’s skewed elections
Orbán’s return to power was eased by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but the playing-field was already far from level.
Orbán, Putin and prospects for democracy in Hungary
The popularity of Hungary’s authoritarian prime minister had been waning. The invasion of Ukraine may offer an electoral lifeline.
Is Hungary returning to Europe?
The Hungarian opposition have united behind a conservative opponent of Viktor Orbán, ahead of parliamentary elections in the spring.
Hungary’s Covid-19 wars
For Viktor Orbán, the pandemic has offered an opportunity to undermine the European Union and curry favour with Hungary’s authoritarian allies.
The coronavirus and the ‘quarantining’ of Hungarian democracy
Many aspects of normal life have been suspended in Hungary due to the coronavirus, including parliamentary democracy.
Europe and the tragedy of Israel/Palestine
Amid the intractable struggle in Israel/Palestine for the moral high ground of legitimate victimhood, Europe has a historic responsibility.
Budapest’s new mayor and the redemocratisation of Hungary
Local elections in Hungary have placed a question-mark over the durability of the 'illiberal democracy' of Viktor Orbán.
CEU and Hungary’s War Against the Enlightenment
For almost half a century following World War Two, Hungary’s Communist regime exercised far-reaching controls over virtually every aspect of society, including education and culture.
Israel, Palestine And Europe’s Selective Historical Amnesia
When my father and his parents returned to Orosháza in Hungary, having been held as slave labourers in Vienna during the latter stages of World
Hungary’s Lost Democracy
There is a palpable sense of gloom and foreboding amongst liberals, moderate conservatives and those on the Left in Hungary following Fidesz’s unexpectedly decisive victory
Hungary’s Enfeebled Democracy
Hungarian voters disenchanted with the cronyism, pseudo-populism and creeping authoritarianism of the ruling Fidesz-KDNP government have a bewildering array of opposition parties to choose from.
Enhancing Diversity In Europe
In a recent article in Social Europe, Andrew Watt and Steven Hill contend that the EU “should not fear” secession. The authors argue that Catalonia’s