Hungary and Poland managed to delay a mechanism that would tie EU funding to rule-of-law conditions, but a future where the EU can penalize Hungary for antidemocratic behavior by withholding funding is closer than ever.
Articles
This blog provides you English news updates, articles, and videos about rising authoritarian rule in Hungary.
The Great Replacement: A Conspiracy Theory Shared by the Christchurch Terrorist and Orban’s Government
The paranoid white supremacist ideology behind the Christchurch terrorist attack is the same that is used to legitimise the anti-migrant policies of the Hungarian government.
Hungarian National TV Downplays Belarus Rally
A 35-second news segment on Sunday’s historic anti-Lukashenko protest in Belarus encapsulates how publicly funded, pro-government Hungarian media downplays the importance of recent events in the former Soviet Republic.
The Hungarian Government is Undermining EU Action Against Lukashenko
While the rest of Europe watched with horror as Alexander Lukashenko unleashed unprecedented terror on its own people, the Hungarian government helped him to stabilize his power.
How the Ruling Party Keeps a Firm Grip on Power in Hungary
Why do so many Hungarians keep voting for the ruling party, Fidesz? Political analysts have been trying to find the answer to this question for several years. There are multiple explanations, some of them are supplementary, others are contradictory to each other.
Index’s Freedom Fight Comes to an End. What’s Next? The Top Hungarian News Site Broadcasts Its Independence Struggle
Most of the editorial staff at Hungary’s largest online news site resigned today, after a decade-long struggle for the company’s independence. The way pro-government interests co-opted the company, slowly, and then all at once, is a textbook example of the way Fidesz has built its media empire over the years. The way the editorial staff stood their ground, and broadcast this struggle, is an important commentary on independent journalism and democratic backsliding. The question is: are Hungarians ready to pay to help them start over?
China Funds a Trip to Autocracy in Europe What happens when two authoritarian regimes partner to build railways in Europe?
China needed to pass through Europe. Hungary needed to bypass it. Here is the story of the Hungarian-Chinese partnership to renovate the Budapest-Belgrade railway route.
How to Become a Hungarian Millionaire in Just a Few Weeks Using Public Procurement The Story of a Soccer Player Who Quit the Game and Immediately Won USD 25 Million in Public Funding for Hotel Renovation
A soccer player made USD 25 million when he applied to a public tender without any experience. Here is how he did it. He was in the right place, at the right time – and knew the right people.
Hungary’s Campaign to Centralize Power in the Crisis: the Details
Faced with a dire economic outlook, the Orbán government undermined those best positioned to help — municipal governments.
Authoritarians Unite: How Orban and Lukashenko Partnered Up in the Crisis
A meeting of two authoritarian leaders serves to demonstrate their joint defiance against external criticism while both leaders launch a renewed crackdown on their oppositions.
