About: Central European University (CEU) Archives

EXCLUSIVE/ EURACTIV spoke with the former Hungarian Commissioner László Andor this morning (12 April) just before the EU executive gathered to discuss the “illiberal drift” in his country.

Hungarian Minister for Education László Palkovics told reporters in Brussels that tens of thousands of protestors who oppose the country's new university law were “misled” and media reports on the legal overhaul “do not reflect the truth”.

Hungarian President János Áder yesterday (10 April) approved a controversial law seen as targeting the respected Central European University founded by US billionaire George Soros, despite protests at home and abroad.

Restrictive legal changes in Poland and Hungary overshadowed EU Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová's announcement of new figures comparing EU countries' judicial systems today (10 April). The Commission will debate a newly passed Hungarian law targeting the Central European University on Wednesday (12 April).

Hungary saw the biggest anti-government protest in three years on Sunday (9 April), as tens of thousands demonstrated against new higher education legislation seen as targeting the respected Central European University.

EXCLUSIVE / If the democratic drift in Hungary continues, the European Union may consider placing Budapest under the Article 7 procedure of the EU Treaty, which provides for sanctions against a member state, a spokesperson from the European People's Party (EPP) warned.

Asked by EURACTIV to comment on the “illiberal” drift in Hungary, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said today (6 April) that he did not like the push to close the Central European University, founded by George Soros, and commented on the “Let’s Stop Brussels” initiative.

A group representing a majority of European Union lawmakers said on Wednesday (5 April) that they want the Parliament to start disciplinary proceedings against Hungary after a crackdown on foreign universities by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

If democracy was the buzzword of the first two decades following the end of the Cold War, illiberal democracy appears to be the buzzword of today, writes Daniel Penev.