What does illiberalism actually look like across Europe - in parties, voters, and institutions? The new @authlibeu.bsky.social Country Papers, edited by the ✨ @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social, provide one of the most systematic comparative mappings to date. www.authlib.eu/country-pape... 🧵👇

Hungary’s Election Heats Up: Ukraine, the EU and Trump #Orbán sharpens his anti-Ukraine and anti-EU tone — with Trump’s backing in the mix. What does it mean for the opposition? Euronews asked #Hungary expert @danielhegedus.bsky.social. www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...

Some thoughts before today's informal EUCO. THREAD 1/3 Rather than remaining merely reactive, the EU should approach the Greenland crisis within NATO in a way that strengthens its own geopolitical posture, improves Arctic security, and ...

I’m excited to share that from February 1 I’ll be joining the Institute für Europäische Politik @iep-berlin.de as its new Deputy Director. I’m very much looking forward to working with the fantastic IEP team and to engaging closely with partners in the Berlin bubble, across Europe, and beyond.

📢How to Better Protect and Support Civil Society in the EU? In frame of the @authlibeu.bsky.social project, I put pen to paper to explore how the EU should address the complex threat landscape facing European civil society, THREAD 1/7 www.authlib.eu/policy-paper... @gmfus.bsky.social

📢 How do illiberal actors shrink democratic space in the EU—and what can be done? Join our @authlibeu.bsky.social panel discussion on media freedom, civil society & gender equality with Mila Moshelova, Konrad Bleyer-Simon & Zsuzsanna Vegh 📅 Jan 20, 2026 15:00 CET RSVP www.authlib.eu/shrinking-sp...

📢 How do illiberal actors shrink democratic space in the EU—and what can be done? Join our @authlibeu.bsky.social panel discussion on media freedom, civil society & gender equality with Mila Moshelova, Konrad Bleyer-Simon & Zsuzsanna Vegh 📅 Jan 20, 2026 15:00 CET RSVP www.authlib.eu/shrinking-sp...

📢 How do illiberal actors shrink democratic space in the EU—and what can be done? Join our discussion on media freedom, civil society & gender equality with @ksimon.bsky.social @danielhegedus.bsky.social & Mila Moshelova 🗓️ Jan 20, 2026 | 🕒 15:00 CET 👉 Register: www.authlib.eu/shrinking-sp...

It was a great pleasure to speak at the “Mapping the Illiberal Challenge” closing conference of @authlibeu.bsky.social at the CEU. Presenting the key arguments and recommendations of my upcoming policy paper, “How to Better Protect and Support Civil Society in the EU?”, I argued for: THREAD 1/5

⚠️ @danielhegedus.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social discussed the illiberal challenge to democratic civil society in Europe and put forward elaborate EU-level recommendations to protect and strengthen the sector. Stay tunedned for the paper!

THREAD I am pleased to share that I started my personal Substack "Ballhausplatz". Expect a regular dose of EU integration, geopolitics and Transatlantic affairs, ironclad commitment to liberal democracy mixed with provocatively value-agnostic Realpolitik, coming with a Central European flair.

What is Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán willing to do to stay in power? My 🎙 #podcast, #TheGlobalAgora, with @danielhegedus.bsky.social: ▶️ creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/... ▶️ Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w... ▶️ Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6UdP... #Trump #Russia #Putinswar #Ukraine #Hungary

What is Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán willing to do to stay in power? My 🎙️ #podcast, #TheGlobalAgora with @danielhegedus.bsky.social: ▶️ ko-fi.com/post/What-is... If you enjoy what I do, please buy me ☕️ coffee. Thank you! #Hungary #politics #Trump #Russia #Ukraine #Putinswar

💡New on the AUTHLIB Blog Europe is torn between shock, indignation, and complacency regarding the US National Security Strategy, writes @danielhegedus.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social. Instead, it should prepare to counter the threats it may pose to the EU. 💭 Read now: www.authlib.eu/the-blueprin...

As Christmas approaches, I put pen to paper and reflected on what the new U.S. #NationalSecurityStrategy means for the European Union. The result is freshly published on the AUTHLIB Blog. Ever looked for a fitting read to accompany Jingle Bells? Look no further. www.authlib.eu/the-blueprin...

As Christmas approaches, I put pen to paper and reflected on what the new U.S. #NationalSecurityStrategy means for the European Union. The result is freshly published on the AUTHLIB Blog. Ever looked for a fitting read to accompany Jingle Bells? Look no further. www.authlib.eu/the-blueprin...

THREAD 1/3 My interview for @deutschewelle.dw.com about the Trump administration's attempt to "pull away Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland from the EU". www.dw.com/en/will-trum...

Excellent summary of the state of play of Poland's rule of law repair from the great Anna Wojcik @annawojcik.bsky.social 👇

I am certainly no regional expert for Africa, but am I the only person caught by surprise by the statement of new 🇺🇸 #SecurityStrategy that #DonaldTrump successfully ended the #waterconflict between #Egypt & #Ethiopia? Just asking. www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...

It was a true honor to talk to @nytimes.com's @jeannasmialek.bsky.social about the prospects of the EU’s €140 billion loan package for #Ukraine. I argued that this is a make-or-break moment for Europe and for its relevance on the global stage, THREAD 1/3 www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/w...

A Geopolitical Note on the Margins of the Putin–Witkoff Meeting THREAD 1/14

THREAD 1/6 Obviously, much of this is speculation, but I think #Orbán’s trip to #Moscow today — and his talks with Vladimir #Putin — should be seen primarily through the lens of yesterday’s Orbán–Vučić meeting, not last week’s peace-negotiation rollercoaster. @politico.eu

PM #Orbán is on his way to Moscow to meet Vladimir #Putin, according to 🇭🇺 GOV media sources. Without coordinating with allies, Orbán will discuss geopolitics, energy & war related issues with the 🇷🇺president. A further revelation of his true allegiance... www.origo.hu/kulpol/2025/...

PM #Orbán is on his way to Moscow to meet Vladimir #Putin, according to 🇭🇺 GOV media sources. Without coordinating with allies, Orbán will discuss geopolitics, energy & war related issues with the 🇷🇺president. A further revelation of his true allegiance... www.origo.hu/kulpol/2025/...

Hungarian foreign policy needs to be reimagined. Check out my new @revdem2020.bsky.social piece outlining the strategic framework for reorienting #Hungary’s #ForeignPolicy after a democratic transition, highlighting the key challenges, trade-offs, and opportunities. revdem.ceu.edu/2025/11/25/r...

✍️ In the first op-ed of his new series, @danielhegedus.bsky.social outlines the strategic framework for a reorientation of the foreign policy of a future democratic Hungary, mapping the challenges, trade-offs, and opportunities. 🇭🇺🇭🇺 🧑‍💻 Read it now: 👉 tinyurl.com/cbtcew39

Nov 26, 3pm CET, @gmfus.bsky.social webinar As the Hungarian parliamentary election campaign takes off, Zsófia Banuta, @danielhegedus.bsky.social, Péter Krekó, Dániel Róna & I discuss parties' chances, tactics & necessary steps to improve election integrity Register: www.gmfus.org/event/hungar...

🇭🇺#Hungary’s 2026 #Elections: The Stakes and Challenges 📢Join us for this online panel with Zsófia Banuta, Péter Krekó, Dániel Róna, @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social & yours truly 📅Nov 26, 3:00 pm CET / 9:00 am EST RSVP👉 www.gmfus.org/event/hungar... @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social

By tomorrow, @rferl.org.web.brid.gy will cease its 🇭🇺 operations. After returning in 2020 amid Hungary’s deepening autocratization, it is now withdrawing again — another move by the Trump administration shoring up Orbán at a moment of rising domestic pressure, a clear sign of illiberal solidarity.

🇺🇸🇭🇺 The balance of the #Trump-#Orbán meeting is more nuanced than the hype around securing sanction exemptions for #Hungary’s oil imports from #Russia. Check out my piece written for @euobserver.com, summarized in the THREAD below. euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

🇺🇸🇭🇺 The balance of the #Trump-#Orbán meeting is more nuanced than the hype around securing sanction exemptions for #Hungary’s oil imports from #Russia. Check out my piece written for @euobserver.com, summarized in the THREAD below. euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

I had the pleasure yesterday of discussing with @tvpworld.bsky.social the collapse of the Budapest “Peace Summit,” the latest EUCO developments, and Hungarian domestic politics, with a focus on the mobilization contest around the October 23 national holiday. 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF9s...

Budapest Summit cancelled/on ice. thehill.com/homenews/adm...

The plan of the Budapest summit is an unfriendly move by the U.S. that rewards Putin and Orbán while ridiculing the EU. But the EU can do more behind closed doors than merely cross its fingers for an Alaska-like, fruitless summit. My piece for @euobserver.com euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

The plan of the Budapest summit is an unfriendly move by the U.S. that rewards Putin and Orbán while ridiculing the EU. But the EU can do more behind closed doors than merely cross its fingers for an Alaska-like, fruitless summit. My piece for @euobserver.com euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

It was a real honor and privilege to speak about anti-NGO laws in the European Union at Forum 2000, alongside great colleagues and with @kenlcg.bsky.social as our excellent moderator. THREAD 1/4 @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social @authlibeu.bsky.social @ceudeminst.bsky.social

I had the pleasure to discuss the alleged case of Hungarian espionage against the European Commission with TVP World @tvpworld.bsky.social. Find the link and my main points in THREAD.

We had an extremely informative and in-depth election readout with Andrea Michalcová, @petraguasti.bsky.social & Vít Dostál about the domestic and EU & foreign policy implications of the 🇨🇿 elections. Key takeaway & video in THREAD @gmfus.bsky.social @authlibeu.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social

"Mr. Babis’s return to power would reflect an increasing polarization of voters who seesaw between illiberal populists and pro-Western democratic values, especially in Eastern Europe." GMF Expert @danielhegedus.bsky.social featured in the New York Times:

‼️ TODAY‼️ 💭 What's ahead for Czechia after the parliamentary election? 📅 Oct 6, 3:00pm CET 📍 Online 🗣️ @petraguasti.bsky.social @charlesuni.cuni.cz @danielhegedus.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social Vit Dostal (AMO) Andrea Michalcová (Centre for an Informed Society)

🇺🇦 "[Measures like the drone wall] although necessary, divert financial and military resources away from Ukraine, which remains the most efficient use of resources for containing and deterring Russia," writes @danielhegedus.bsky.social. www.gmfus.org/news/drone-w...

Bohemia Illiberalis?🇨🇿 Join us for a post-election briefing with the great @petraguasti.bsky.social, Andrea Michalcová & Vit Dostál and discuss the democracy & foreign policy related implications of the 🇨🇿 election results. 📅October 6, 3:00 pm CET / 9:00 am EDT RSVP 👉 www.authlib.eu/event-bohemi...

The #DroneWall might be necessary to maintain societal resilience but is not a strategic answer to 🇷🇺's hybrid warfare. Instead of responding to tactical moves, Europe should address the Kremlin's strategy. Check out my latest policy brief 🖊️ for @gmfus.bsky.social 👉 www.gmfus.org/news/drone-w...

Measures like the proposed "drone wall" are "not strategic responses to Russian hybrid warfare, particularly because they do not counter it. Rather, they fulfill the underlying logic of the Russian strategy," argues GMF's @danielhegedus.bsky.social in a new analysis. Read now:

"I hate that European security depends on the toilette breaks of Viktor Orbán." The best bon mot I have heard for a while. Thank you, @tobiascremer.bsky.social! IEPCon2025

How do anti-NGO laws impact human rights & democracy in Central Europe? Check out my written testimony to the @tlhumanrights.bsky.social on the topic, now published by @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social @authlibeu.bsky.social 👉 gmfus.org/news/anti-fo...

Excellent testimony & recommendations from @gmfus.bsky.social @danielhegedus.bsky.social at the U.S. Congressional @tlhumanrights.bsky.social hearing on “Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications” — touches on Slovakia, Bulgaria and Hungary. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu4B...

📺 Today at 2:00pm EST / 20 CET, tune into a US Congressional hearing about anti-NGO laws around the world featuring GMF's @danielhegedus.bsky.social, Regional Director, Transatlantic Trusts Central Europe. For more information and the livestream link:

Please join our hearing on anti-NGO laws and their human rights implications at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress. 📆September 9, 2:00 pm EDT / 8:00 pm CET For the live webcast, follow the link below 👇 humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Please join our hearing on anti-NGO laws and their human rights implications at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress. 📆September 9, 2:00 pm EDT / 8:00 pm CET For the live webcast, follow the link below 👇 humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...