Concluding that Russia poses a threat and that the EU let its dependencies grow too deep, the bloc so far attempted to decouple from Moscow. How should Europeans navigate the adversarial relationship in the future?
The European Commission’s agreement with Hungary on anti-corruption reforms is significant. But, even if the Hungarian government does implement them, the measures alone are not sufficient to reverse democratic backsliding in the country.
The war in Ukraine has driven a wedge between Hungary’s Fidesz and Poland’s Law and Justice parties. But they could still mount a powerful challenge to the EU if – or, rather, when – they reunite in their opposition to rule of law demands.
Hungary’s parliamentary election could be a turning point in its foreign policy. An opposition win could mean realignment with the EU, but polls suggest that it might be a tight race.
The Orbán government’s demonstrations of European solidarity have been partly motivated by its nationalist goals and its concerns about migration
The Hungarian government now has a great deal of flexibility to rule as it sees fit, provided that it portrays its actions as being in the interests of crisis management
The Orbán government will likely fuel conflict with newly appointed opposition mayors, taking every chance to portray them as incompetent.
The man nominated to encourage democratic norms among the EU’s neighbours has overseen the degradation of Hungary’s own standards. The damage could already be done.
ECFR’s EU28 Survey reveals that Hungary manages to outpoll even the United Kingdom as the “most disappointing” EU member state. But May’s European Parliament poll is likely to see it dig in rather than change course.
Viktor Orbán’s post-victory intentions are clear: to extend Fidesz control over civil society and remaining independent media outlets. The stage is now set for the EU – with European People’s Party MEPs holding the balance – to take action on further violations of democratic principles and values.
The European Commission’s agreement with Hungary on anti-corruption reforms is significant. But, even if the Hungarian government does implement them, the measures alone are not sufficient to reverse democratic backsliding in the country.
The war in Ukraine has driven a wedge between Hungary’s Fidesz and Poland’s Law and Justice parties. But they could still mount a powerful challenge to the EU if – or, rather, when – they reunite in their opposition to rule of law demands.
Hungary’s parliamentary election could be a turning point in its foreign policy. An opposition win could mean realignment with the EU, but polls suggest that it might be a tight race.
The Orbán government’s demonstrations of European solidarity have been partly motivated by its nationalist goals and its concerns about migration
The Hungarian government now has a great deal of flexibility to rule as it sees fit, provided that it portrays its actions as being in the interests of crisis management
The Orbán government will likely fuel conflict with newly appointed opposition mayors, taking every chance to portray them as incompetent.
The man nominated to encourage democratic norms among the EU’s neighbours has overseen the degradation of Hungary’s own standards. The damage could already be done.
ECFR’s EU28 Survey reveals that Hungary manages to outpoll even the United Kingdom as the “most disappointing” EU member state. But May’s European Parliament poll is likely to see it dig in rather than change course.
Viktor Orbán’s post-victory intentions are clear: to extend Fidesz control over civil society and remaining independent media outlets. The stage is now set for the EU – with European People’s Party MEPs holding the balance – to take action on further violations of democratic principles and values.
The European Union must now belatedly press ahead with both legal and political procedures to halt Hungary’s illiberal course
Concluding that Russia poses a threat and that the EU let its dependencies grow too deep, the bloc so far attempted to decouple from Moscow. How should Europeans navigate the adversarial relationship in the future?
I think it is a real attempt to reinforce the views of the Hungarian government in Brussels
Zsuzsanna Vegh comments on the new Hungarian think tank in Brussels
It is very questionable whether these will be more than cosmetic changes
In July, Minister Gergely Gulyás had announced that the Hungarian government would accept certain EU conditions on the rule of law, explained Zsuzsanna Vegh