Ágnes Heller: “Shamefulness is part of the European tradition as well” Interview Ágnes Heller is one of the most prominent philosophers of our time. We talked with her about her experiences during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, about the crisis in Europe and its future, and about coping with the past. By Eva van de Rakt and Silja Schultheis
Introduction: The 1956 Hungarian uprising In October 1956, Hungarian citizens staged a popular uprising to protest against the repressive policies of the Communist Party and against the country’s occupation by the Soviet Army. On 11 November 1956, Soviet forces quashed the last pockets of armed resistance in the capital city. By Eva van de Rakt
The Referendum in Hungary: “A Clear Foreign Policy Debacle and a Temporary Domestic Setback for the Government” What comes after the failed referendum in Hungary? Political scientist Bulcsú Hunyadi about Orbáns objectives and about Hungarians who are tired of the migration topic. By Silja Schultheis and Bulcsú Hunyadi
The referendum in Hungary: A half-defeat for the government Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán and his ruling party Fidesz failed with their referendum to obstruct the EU’s effort to impose an obligatory quota scheme for the resettlement of refugees. However, they could benefit from this defeat in domestic policies. A commentary. By Kristóf Szombati
Business as usual: Riding the wave of anti-Brussels sentiment While Great Britain’s future departure from the European Union is a sizable loss to Hungary in both political and economic terms, the Hungarian government is trying to cash in on increasing popular dissatisfaction with Brussels. By Edit Zgut
Putinist trolls in Hungary are a threat to objective journalism Putinist trolls are having a good time in Hungary these days. Articles published by pro-Kremlin, anti-immigrant news sites are shared by thousands of readers, often mistaken for actual news stories. Objective journalism has thus been degraded to just one of many possible narratives for interpreting the world around us.
Focus on Hungary: Refugees, Asylum and Migration The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung commissioned a study by Political Capital entitled “Focus on Hungary: Refugees, Asylum and Migration”. The authors of the study analyse the Orbán Government’s rhetoric and policy measures with regard to refugee, asylum and migration issues. By Attila Juhász , Bulcsú Hunyadi and Edit Zgut
“I am Eurasian” – The Kremlin connections of the Hungarian far-right Why the Russian regime and the Hungarian far right are in an intimate relationship. A new study by Political Capital and Social Development Institute. By Péter Krekó
Hungary’s politicians react to the Paris attacks The recent terrorist attacks in Paris evoked strong reactions all around the world. The Hungarian government has reacted with proposals to restrict freedom of speech and by highlighting the problems of immigration. By András Jámbor
Farewell Putin, viva “illiberal democracy”? Just two weeks after Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin came to visit Budapest on February 17. Still, with his vision of a “work society”, there might be a good chance of Victor Orbán moving closer to Germany. By Kristóf Szombati