Topical: Fidesz, Hungary and the EU

It remains to be seen how the suspension of Fidesz’s membership in the European People’s Party will play out in the EU parliamentary elections and beyond. One thing is sure, however: Viktor Orbán’s attacks on democratic institutions are nothing new. Here is a set of reads from the Eurozine archive on the recent political transformation in Hungary.

• László Győri: Ubu Roi in Hungary
  Orbán’s total offensive on the Hungarian cultural establishment resulted in almost total conformity to the nationalism of Fidesz and the sidelining of independent culture.
• Shalini Randeria: Orbán’s assault on academic freedom
  As part of the systematic erosion of the autonomy of Hungary’s universities, the Hungarian government is committed to the political control of science.
• Cas Mudde: The Polish boomerang: On Warsaw’s adoption of the ‘Budapest Model’
  Poland’s PiS government has almost exceeded the Hungarian one in speed of its illiberal ascent. EU sanctions against both countries have been on the table since 2016.
• Gábor Halmai: The decline of liberal democracy in Europe’s midst
  Fidesz’s constitutional counter-revolution has shown that democratic culture is more crucial than formal legality to guaranteeing rule of law.
• Burkhard Müller: On the side of democracy
  Brussels is not empowered to act as a policeman for liberal democracy in Europe. But should it be?

This archive selection is part of our 6/2019 newsletter. Subscribe here to get the bi-weekly updates about latest publications and news on partner journals.