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The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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New Atlanticist

May 31, 2018

In Defense of Orbán

By Zsigmond Perényi

An emotionally charged debate has resurfaced about the nature of Hungarian democracy in the wake of the ruling Fidesz party’s victory in parliamentary elections in April. While it is legitimate to have a well-reasoned and honest dialogue about Hungary’s current political landscape, a proper understanding of real-life events can only occur by sticking to the […]

European Union Hungary

In the News

May 30, 2018

Cohen Quoted in Newsweek on Hungary-Russia Relations

By Ariel Cohen

Read the full article here.

Hungary Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2018

Populists-1, Globalists-0

By Vriddhi Sujan

Fourteen years after Hungary joined the European Union—a celebrated and significant milestone for the post-Communist nation—the country’s deviation from the EU’s shared principles of democracy and freedom is both a source for concern and a warning sign for others following suit.

Hungary

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2018

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Even If Viktor Orbán Loses Sunday, Hungarian Democracy Is Still In Trouble

By Jeffrey Gedmin

Six weeks ago, the ruling conservative-nationalist Fidesz party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was delivered a stunning defeat. The southern city of Hódmezővásárhely—population, roughly 45,000—had been governed by Fidesz mayors since 1990. The party’s candidate this time was projected to win handily, by about twenty points. Yet, that was approximately the margin of victory […]

Hungary

Uncategorized

Mar 23, 2018

Atlanticist Fellowship

The Atlantic Council is now accepting additional applications and nominations for an Atlanticist Fellow from Hungary. The deadline to apply for this position is Friday, May 25, 2018. As part of a long-term reinvestment in bolstering US-Central European ties and a new effort to build stronger people-to-people connections between Americans and Central Europeans, the Atlantic […]

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Jan 16, 2018

Why Is Hungary Blocking Ukraine’s Western Integration?

By Péter Krekó and Patrik Szicherle

For the first time since the Maidan revolution, Ukraine’s road to the transatlantic community is being actively blocked not only by Russia but by an EU and NATO member state as well: Hungary. While Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been a vocal critic of sanctions and is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strongest allies […]

Hungary Russia

UkraineAlert

Aug 11, 2017

Eastern Europe’s Illiberal Trends Bode Badly for Ukraine

By Oksana Bedratenko

A recent increase in illiberal trends in a number of Eastern European countries threatens to erode support for Ukraine in the region. Just as important, it may lead to disillusionment inside Ukraine, where reformers have drawn on the region’s democracy building experience as guidance for Ukraine’s own reforms. Immediately after the breakup of the Soviet […]

Central Europe Hungary

UkraineAlert

Jun 8, 2017

Just How Much Influence Does the Kremlin Have in Ukraine, Georgia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic?

By Roman Shutov

In a handful of Central and Eastern European countries, governments and the media have been slow and ineffective in countering the Kremlin’s propaganda and disinformation. The best defense? An active, engaged civil society. Those were some of the findings of the Kremlin Influence Index (KII), a report released in mid-May that analyzed the Russian government’s ability […]

Central Europe Hungary

UkraineAlert

May 17, 2017

From Russia with Hate: The Kremlin’s Support for Violent Extremism in Central Europe

By Péter Krekó and Lóránt Győri

In 2016, the mayor of Ásotthalom, a small Hungarian town close to the country’s southern border, celebrated the opening of Gagarin Street with an obelisk to Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin and a speech about Russia’s greatness. The mayor was László Toroczkai, an extremist politician who serves as the vice president of the far-right Jobbik party; […]

Central Europe Hungary

In the News

Apr 16, 2017

Gedmin in the Hill: Despite Differences, GOP Should Defend Soros in Hungary

By Jeffrey Gedmin

Read the full article here.

Hungary

Experts