Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Prague Office - Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary

DOSSIER | COP-29: UN Climate Change Conference

The annual COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the primary multilateral forum for international climate policy. Here, the 198 signatory states negotiate agreements and assess progress in addressing the climate crisis. We provide an overview of past conferences and the current COP.

DOSSIER | The US elections 2024

The election result in the USA will have far-reaching, international consequences. What will the result mean for transatlantic relations, Europe's security architecture, and international efforts on climate action? The Heinrich Böll Foundation delves into these critical questions from a Green and European perspective, offering analyses and insights into the challenges and opportunities of the post-election landscape.

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Latest Articles

Markéta Gregorová at the conference: Feminist Approaches to Foreign Policy in Central Europe

Can Feminism Shape Foreign Policy? Challenges and Insights from Central Europe

Conference report

In the past decade, multiple states around the world have signed up to pursue a feminist foreign policy (FFP). Some, like Sweden and more recently also the Netherlands, have already retracted these promises. In the face of the surge of far-right parties and politicians in Europe and in the US, what does the future hold for FFP? Is there potential for FFP in the V4 countries? What makes a foreign policy truly feminist? An international conference organized by the Prague office of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (HBS) in cooperation with the Association for International Affairs (AMO) on 25 March 2025 brought together policymakers, government representatives, academics, think-tank experts, and civil society organizations to discuss these issues.

Donald Trump and Viktor Orban, World leaders arrives for Working dinner, during NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) SUMMIT 2018

How Trump’s Second Presidency Empowered Orbán: Cracking Down on Civil Rights and Strengthening Ties with Putin

In his annual state of the nation address at the end of February, “looking back from the cooling shade of the American electoral victory”, Hungary’s Prime Minister reinforced his ideological alignment with Donald Trump by announcing draconian measures against those whom he rhetorically frames as enemies of his patriotic, illiberal agenda – NGOs, the LGBTQ+ community, the opposition, and independent media – and doctrinally entrenched himself alongside Trump on Ukraine and against migrants. Viktor Orbán considers Trump “the only man who can save the Western world, and probably the human beings on the globe as well”.

By Anna Frenyó

Hungarian politician Peter Magyar making speech before the Parliament at demonstration against the Hungarian government Fidesz. Tens of thousands march against Orban.

Orbán’s Escalating Repression: How Far Will He Go to Stay in Power?

Commentary

From further manipulation of the electoral system to outright annulment of results, there are many ways in which the Orbán regime could prevent the current opposition from winning. What is certain is that repression will intensify over the next year; the only question is how severe it will be.

By Róbert László and Political Capital

Articles by topic

Democracy

Photo from Budapest Pride 2021, people at the Green - Liberty bridge

Legislative bullying of protesters - The ban on Pride in Hungary, 2025

After the Prime Minister's announcement banning the 2025 Pride parade, MPs of the governing majority swiftly passed constitutional amendments. These new laws ban assemblies that might breach the "LGBTQI Propaganda" Law, impose fines on participants, and allow police to use facial recognition technology to identify them. This amendment, set to take effect on 15 April 2025, violates the rights of LGBTQI people and their supporters, while also infringing on the privacy of all citizens by enabling mass surveillance and stoking fear among those who oppose the government's policies.

By Szabolcs Hegyi

Viktor Orban, November 2024, Informal meeting of heads of state or government

The rebel presidency

Commentary

From July 1 to December 31, 2024, Hungary held the presidency of the EU Council. The presidency underscored Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's foreign policy approach: a clear separation between communication and day-to-day operations. Despite growing tensions between Orbán and EU leaders, as well as unresolved disputes with key EU institutions, the Hungarian presidency has done its work accordingly in the second half of 2024.

By Péter Magyari

Further articles

Ecology

Small Modular Reactors for the Czech Market: An update - 2024

Modular reactors in 2024 – Ambitious Goals, Missing Technologies

Press releace

New publication "Small Modular Reactors for the Czech Market: An update - 2024" analyses the current state of the field of small and medium-sized modular reactors (SMRs) and builds upon the unique study "Prospects for Small Modular Reactors in the Czech Republic", published in 2023. The author is Emeritus Professor Stephen Thomas from University of Greenwich, London. Edvard Sequens, the energy expert from Czech organization Calla, authored a chapter on the situation in the Czech Republic as the Czech largest energy company ČEZ established a strategic partnership with the British company Rolls-Royce in 2024 and companies such as Sokolovská uhelná and Orlen have expressed interest in SMRs, too.

Criticality and the Securitization of Southeast Asia’s Indigenous Mineral Resources

Article

Southeast Asia’s geographical location is blessed with abundant natural resources – minerals, forests, and wildlife. For hundreds of years, these resources have been a source of livelihood and even life for Indigenous peoples, as well as local communities. However, the capitalist perspective of development is rapidly encroaching on the mineral-rich lands of these peoples.

Further articles

Foreign and Security Policy

Illustration: A globe held by hands surrounded by plants and flames. The globe is wrapped in a banner reading "urgent solution."

Beyond the Cuts: How the Defunding Affects Feminist and Civil Society Organizations

Analysis

The rise of the far-right movement and recent shifts in global politics have led to significant cuts in foreign development assistance. What are the impacts on feminist and civil society organizations?

By Merima Šišić and Derya Binışık

EU special Summit: Towards a European Defence Union

Analysis

After years of hesitation, the EU – driven by geopolitical shifts – is finally moving forward. The special summit in Brussels shows momentum in defence policy. But Europe remains vulnerable without a big step forward.

By Eva van de Rakt and Roderick Kefferpütz

Further articles

Publications

Feminist Foreign Policy Principles in Czechia

Discussion paper

Feminism faces prejudice in the Czech Republic. However, feminist foreign policy means more than just gender equality: principles like participation or accountability are already partly a reality here. How to move forward was explored through focus groups by researchers from the Institute of International Relations, Ondřej Horký-Hlucháň and Míla O’Sullivan, in collaboration with the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Prague.

pdf

Small Modular Reactors for the Czech Market: An update - 2024

The publication focuses developments in the field of small and medium modular reactors (collectively referred to as SMRs) in 2024 and builds upon the unique analysis "Prospect of Small Modular Reactors in the Czech Republic," published at the end of 2023. The author, once again, is emeritus Professor Stephen Thomas from University of Greenwich, London, with a chapter on the Czech context by Edvard Sequens from Calla - Association for Preservation of the Environment.

pdf

Climate Security Report

Report

This report reviews climate security literature, identifies key players, and analyzes case studies. It highlights actors' needs in different contexts and offers recommendations for global, regional, and local engagement, with a focus on the global South.

pdf

Further Publications