About: illiberal democracy
To protect our freedoms, we need stronger, better government
Liberal European governments need to act to quickly the reform the structural flaws that allow illiberalism and extremism to thrive, writes Dita Charanzová.
Trump praises Hungary’s Orbán in pre-election letter
Former US president Donald Trump on Monday (3 January) enthusiastically backed the reelection of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a hardline hero who has been accused of creeping authoritarianism.
Hungary’s Orbán attacks EU for ‘brutal sabotage’ in funds row
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Tuesday (21 December) said the EU's withholding of funds was "the most brutal sabotage" as he insisted his country would stick by harsh asylum rules.
France and Hungary set conciliatory tone as Macron visits Budapest
President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday (13 December) France was willing to "work together for Europe" with Hungary despite the countries' political differences, striking a conciliatory note as Paris prepares to take over the European Union's presidency.
Biden invites around 110 countries to virtual summit on democracy
President Joe Biden has invited around 110 countries to a virtual summit on democracy in December, including most of Western allies but not Hungary and Turkey, according to a list posted on the State Department website on Tuesday (23 November)....
Hungary’s Orban launches election campaign with €1.7 billion tax refund for families
Hungary's government will refund $2 billion of income tax to families in early 2022 and also plans a big hike in the minimum wage, right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Monday, setting the stage for next year's election.
Hungary equates ‘LGBT promotion’ in films with horror in viewing age ratings
Hungary's media regulator published guidelines for broadcasters to comply with new LGBT laws on Wednesday (15 September), relegating some films portraying homosexuality or gender identity issues to the same age group restrictions as gory horror movies.
Vucic and Orban formalise their ‘special relationship’
Hungary, whose government has been at odds with Brussels for a long time, has emerged as a major pro-Serbian lobbyist within the EU and this special "illiberal" relationship was formalised on Wednesday (8 September), Serbian journalist Darko Čačić reports for EURACTIV Bulgaria.
Hungary anti-LGBTQ law to apply around churches
Hungary's government has announced that provisions of its controversial new anti-LGBTQ law will apply around churches as well as schools.
Hungary rejects EU demand to ditch ‘shameful’ anti-LGBT law
Hungary on Wednesday (7 July) rejected a demand from the European Commission and many EU lawmakers to repeal new legislation banning schools from using materials deemed to promote homosexuality.
EU warns Hungary to fix anti-LGBTQ law or face action
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday (7 July) warned Hungary to reverse course on its controversial LGBTQ law, as pressure mounts on Brussels to cut EU funding to Budapest.
No thanks: Some Europe newspapers refuse political ads from Hungary’s Orbán
Several leading European newspapers have refused to run a paid advertisement signed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, saying they do not want to give space to a politician they accuse of subverting human rights and press freedom.
EU leaders confront Hungary PM over LGBTQ law
EU leaders holding a summit Thursday (24 June) attacked Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over a new law in his country banning LGBTQ content in schools, which they view as homophobic and contrary to EU values.
EU can’t work like this, German official says after Hungary blocks China statement
Hungary's decision to block a European Union statement criticising China's Hong Kong policy was condemned by a senior Germany official, who said the EU's common foreign and security policy was being undermined by a failure of unanimity.
Top EU court dismisses Hungary’s complaint over democracy probe
The top European Union court dismissed on Thursday (2 June) Hungary's challenge against the opening in 2018 of a disciplinary procedure against Budapest for undermining democracy in the formerly communist country.
Diplomat: EU could seek to bypass Hungary after series of vetoes
The EU could begin issuing statements on behalf of 26 members rather than all 27 following a series of vetoes by Hungary on a range of issues, an EU diplomat told journalists on Friday (21 May).
Orban-friendly owner gets Hungary independent radio frequency
A Hungarian radio station critical of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that was forced off the air in February said Sunday (11 April) its former frequency had been handed to a station owned by a government-friendly group.
Deutsche Welle resumes Hungarian service amid free press fears
Germany's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle has begun producing material in Hungarian for the first time in decades, driven by concerns at declining media plurality and press freedom in the fellow European Union member.
EU executive expected to increase pressure on Hungary over NGO law
The European Commission is expected to announce more legal proceedings against Hungary on Thursday (18 February) for failing to change a law requiring civil organisations to disclose foreign donors, three officials said.
Hungary culture chief condemned for comparing Soros to Hitler
A government-appointed cultural official in Hungary has been condemned for comparing liberal billionaire George Soros to Hitler in an article about Hungary and Poland's row with the EU over rule of law.
The nature of power in an illiberal system
Viktor Orbán’s illiberal state uses democracy and the rule of law as decors of a system which contains no real limitation to the exercise of power. In order to assess the situation of the rule of law in such systems, we must examine the effective functioning of institutions in place, writes Anna Donáth.
Hungary opposition pledge anti-Orbán 2022 election pact
Hungary's six largest opposition parties pledged Thursday (13 August) to form an unprecedented wide-ranging alliance to challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the next general election in 2022.
Illiberal democracy in Slovenia? Yes and no
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša is the strongest challenger to a status quo in which the left has been in power in the country for too long, writes Žiga Turk.