An unprecedented setback for Orbán: Hungary’s municipal elections
The Orbán government will likely fuel conflict with newly appointed opposition mayors, taking every chance to portray them as incompetent.
Experts & Staff
Zsuzsanna Végh
German Marshall Fund of the United States (Berlin)
ECFR associate researcher for Hungary
Sep 2011 — presentBiography
Zsuzsanna Végh is a program officer at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Her analytical focus is on Central and Eastern Europe, especially the foreign and EU policies of the Visegrád countries, the state of democracy, and the role and impact of the far right in the European Union. Zsuzsanna has extensive experience working at the intersection of policy analysis and academic research. She has been an associate researcher at the European Council on Foreign Relations and authored reports for Freedom House’s flagship project, Nations in Transit, on her native Hungary. She worked at the European University Viadrina as a researcher and lecturer in 2017–2024, and at the Center for European Neighborhood Studies of Central European University in 2012–2017. She holds Master’s degrees in international relations and European studies from Central European University and in international studies from the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest.
A win for Orbán? Hungary and the new European Commission
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
Hungary for more: Viktor Orbán’s new European battles
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
Orbán 3.0: What to expect next
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
Better late than never: How the EU should respond to Orbán’s illiberalism
The European Union must now belatedly press ahead with both legal and political procedures to halt Hungary’s illiberal course
View from Budapest: The status quo might just do
Hungary will certainly oppose additional sanctions, but it is unlikely to veto a prolongation
Hungary’s migrant quota referendum: Never let a good crisis go to waste
A likely ‘no’ vote in Hungary’s legally questionable referendum will provide ammunition for Orbán’s battle with Brussels
Publications
The Orbanisation of America: Hungary’s lessons for Donald Trump
If Trump wins the US presidency, Republicans will likely adapt techniques refined in Viktor Orban’s Hungary as they return to power – with profound implications for both America and Europe
Articles
Tisza’s foreign policy offer: Plans for a post-Orban Hungary
After nearly 16 years of Fidesz rule, the centre-right Tisza party stands a chance of winning Hungary’s April election. Under their rule, Budapest would work with Europe, not against it
When culture war and trade war clash: Trump’s troubled alliance with Europe’s far right
The Trump administration and far-right European politicians see an opportunity to transform the EU from within. In turn, liberal Europeans have an opportunity to undermine this transatlantic alliance—before it gathers real momentum
Hungary in waiting: The Slovak challenge for the EU and Ukraine
The new Slovak government seems a natural pro-Kremlin ally for Hungary. But there is still time for the EU, member states, and Ukraine to get Fico onside
Mind the gaps: The pending suspension of Hungary’s EU funds
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 game is not over: Fidesz, Law and Justice, and far-right cooperation in the EU
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
Alignment or isolation: Hungary’s foreign policy after its parliamentary election
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
Instrumental solidarity: Hungary’s management of the coronavirus crisis
The Orbán government’s demonstrations of European solidarity have been partly motivated by its nationalist goals and its concerns about migration
No more red lines left to cross: The Hungarian government’s emergency measures
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
An unprecedented setback for Orbán: Hungary’s municipal elections
The Orbán government will likely fuel conflict with newly appointed opposition mayors, taking every chance to portray them as incompetent.
A win for Orbán? Hungary and the new European Commission
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
Events
Wider Europe
Power audit of EU-Russia relations: How Europeans are learning to handle a new reality
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?
In the media
Jeremy Shapiro and Zsusanna Végh’s policy brief The Orbanisation of America: Hungary’s lessons for Donald Trump, mentioned by “Il Corriere della Sera”
Zsuzsanna Végh on Peter Magyar as a political figure
Zsuzsanna Végh on the public mood during the Hungarian election
Zsuzsanna Végh explains what’s at stake for Hungary’s democracy and its future in Europe
Zsuzsanna Végh on the upcoming Hungarian election