That EU enlargement is a geopolitical imperative is no longer in doubt. But to make enlargement happen, the EU may need to decouple bilateral disputes from the accession process
Governments in Budapest, and now Bratislava, are treading a fine line of alignment with the West, showing their central European neighbours what they can get away with, and risking the credibility of EU foreign policy and values
Against the backdrop of the US-China rivalry, it is tempting to ignore recent strategy changes by smaller players like Canada and Hungary. But these two countries offer radically different models for other countries to consider as they navigate an increasingly fraught geopolitical terrain
The new energy cooperation between Hungary and Serbia threatens to undermine the EU’s energy sovereignty and pull Serbia further from the EU
Mark Leonard is joined by Balázs Orbán to discuss Hungary’s strategy
To escape the middle-income trap in the next decade, Hungary needs an economic strategy of connectivity
What would the freezing of EU-funds mean for Hungary-EU relations and Hungary’s role in the union?
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.
Viktor Orban has had 12 years to learn how to circumvent democratic reforms. The European Commission should bide its time in assessing whether to suspend funding to Hungary.
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.
That EU enlargement is a geopolitical imperative is no longer in doubt. But to make enlargement happen, the EU may need to decouple bilateral disputes from the accession process
Governments in Budapest, and now Bratislava, are treading a fine line of alignment with the West, showing their central European neighbours what they can get away with, and risking the credibility of EU foreign policy and values
Against the backdrop of the US-China rivalry, it is tempting to ignore recent strategy changes by smaller players like Canada and Hungary. But these two countries offer radically different models for other countries to consider as they navigate an increasingly fraught geopolitical terrain
The new energy cooperation between Hungary and Serbia threatens to undermine the EU’s energy sovereignty and pull Serbia further from the EU
To escape the middle-income trap in the next decade, Hungary needs an economic strategy of connectivity
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.
Viktor Orban has had 12 years to learn how to circumvent democratic reforms. The European Commission should bide its time in assessing whether to suspend funding to Hungary.
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.
The goal of preserving European unity could hinder the EU’s fight against democratic backsliding in Hungary. To remain a community of values, the union needs to keep up the pressure on the country’s leader.
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.
Mark Leonard is joined by Balázs Orbán to discuss Hungary’s strategy
What would the freezing of EU-funds mean for Hungary-EU relations and Hungary’s role in the union?
Fico is not a follower of Orban when it comes to, for example, foreign policy. He has other considerations
Zsuzsanna Végh on how the EU should deal with Hungary’s Viktor Orban
After the last 2 years, in which we have received numerous Russian threats, none of them have been implemented. I think this is an important conclusion to draw.
Ukraine will become not only a country with a very efficient army, but also a stable industry
Zsuzsanna Végh on Hungary’s position on Sweden’s NATO accession
Zsuzsanna Végh on EU aid to Ukraine and what to expect next from Hungary
