Hungary: Pro-government scare tactics to intimidate critical voices amid vaccination rollout Commentary Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the government-sponsored disinformation engine is operating at full capacity in Hungary, scapegoating and intimidating critical voices and triggering death threats against academics and intellectuals. By Anna Frenyó
After the Crisis, Before the Crisis: The Rule of Law Headache that Won’t Go Away Commentary The Hungarian-Polish veto on the EU budget and the recovery fund was averted at the European Council last week, but threats to core European values were not. The EU’s rule of law crisis is nowhere near to being solved, and attacks on fundamental rights and democracy will intensify in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. By Márta Pardavi
What to make of Hungary’s budget veto? Analysis Hungary and Poland indicated in November that they would veto the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 and the Next Generation EU (NGEU) economic recovery fund. However, recent developments indicate that Hungary’s and Poland’s views on the matter have diverged. What does Budapest stand to gain by using its veto? By Patrik Szicherle
Systemic breaches of the rule of law in Hungary: “My biggest fear is that the EU will give in” Interview Interview with Benedek Jávor about the blackmailing attempt of Viktor Orbán and Mateusz Morawiecki, the importance of the rule of law in the EU and the responsibility of the German government. By Eva van de Rakt
Germany’s Central European Strategy Bites Back Analysis As 2020 opens with dramatic global events demanding attention and care, the countries of the European Union remain divided on crucial issues from climate change to foreign policy. The relationship between Germany and the countries of Central Europe is pivotal to many of these impasses. By Zsuzsanna Végh
Tough Questions: Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi visiting Czech Republic and Hungary Report Myanmar’s State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi is visiting the Czech Republic and Hungary – her first visit to Europe since the mass expulsion of the Rohingya. This could be a first step to reopen dialogue between Myanmar and the West – but tough questions need to be posed about her handling of the Rohingya question and other human rights concerns. By Axel Harneit-Sievers
Democracy is out of order: CEU forced to leave Hungary Analysis The Central European University (CEU) announced that it is forced to launch all degree programs in a new location in Vienna in September 2019. The Hungarian Government has made it impossible for the university to ensure its operations in Budapest on the long run. By Gabi Gőbl
The Vote on the Sargentini Report: Good News for Europe, Bad News for Orbán, no News for Hungary Blog The Sargentini report showed divisions between Eastern and Western European countries as well as between left and right wing tendencies. It also evidenced that illiberal policies have to face political consequences at European level. Other governments such as Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania, though, make less a public display of their illiberal steps. By Péter Krekó
“A decision as important for Europe as it is for Hungary” – Benedek Jávor on the Sargentini Report Interview On 12 September the European Parliament voted in favour of starting procedures against the Hungarian government for breaching European values. We asked Hungarian MEP Benedek Jávor how he evaluates the outcomes of the vote. By Zsófia Deák and Benedek Jávor
