‘Brothers Alike’ Again but How Much Can Hungary Learn from Poland’s Experience?
On his way to rolling back illiberal rule, Hungary’s newly elected leader has found an ally in a veteran of European politics – Donald Tusk. But how transferable is the…
Russian Despatch: Looking for a New Orban in the Balkans
Moscow has lost its main ally inside the EU with the defeat of Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Can the victory of Bulgaria’s Rumen Radev provide the Kremlin with a new disruptor…
Magyar Signals Shake-Up of Orban-Era Networks Beyond Hungary’s Borders
How ruthless or pragmatic will Hungary’s incoming prime minister be? We may get more of an idea this week when he meets with the pro-Orban leader of Romania’s ethnic Hungarian…
Week in Review: Big Changes and Steep Climbs
A momentous election spells change not just for Hungary but also for much of the Western Balkans, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. KAYNAK: Balkan…
Turkey’s Opposition Draws Hope from Hungarian Election
Hungary’s Viktor Orban sat at the centre of a network of illiberal states. With his loss in weekend elections, liberal opposition parties in Turkey are reflecting on political parallels and…
With Hungary’s Orban Out, North Macedonia has a Gruevski Conundrum
In appearing to call time on Nikola Gruevski’s refuge in Hungary, election-winner Peter Magyar has put North Macedonia’s government in a tight spot. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Orban’s Defeat Leaves Bosnia’s Dodik Without His Strongest EU Ally
Under Viktor Orban, Hungary became an important financial and political backer of Milorad Dodik’s administration in Republika Srpska – and his electoral defeat could have serious consequences for the Bosnian…
After 16 Years of ‘Illiberal’ Rule, Hungary Is Still a Democracy
Yet because the election system is designed to favour strong parties, a two-thirds parliamentary majority seems to have become the norm in Hungary, which contains its own dangers. KAYNAK: Balkan…
Balkan Leaders Congratulate Magyar on Hungary Win; Orban Allies Regretful
Leaders across the Balkans congratulated Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party after they triumphed over Viktor Orban’s Fidesz – Orban’s Serb allies also praised the defeated right-wing strongman. KAYNAK: Balkan…
A Loss for Mar-a-Lago and Moscow: Orban’s Once Unassailable Rule in Hungary Ends
A perfect storm of a child abuse scandal, the poor state of the economy and services, and a charismatic former insider with a well-organised party and a huge, diverse voter…