Democracy

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EU–Hungary rule of law clashes intensify: Kremlin-inspired crackdown on media, NGOs, and opposition parties

Analysis

With less than a year to go until the next Hungarian parliamentary elections, Viktor Orbán’s Government appears to have a weak hand in its communications battles with its new political opponent, Péter Magyar’s Tisza party. To cover up the challenges it faces, the administration has turned up the heat under the independent media, NGOs, and opposition parties, playing from the same old authoritarian playbook of threatening a free civil society.

By Kata Moravecz and György Folk

Viktor Orbán’s vile new law

Commentary

The Hungarian Government is giving itself the power to deprive any company or organisation of its revenues on the grounds of protecting the country's sovereignty. The hysteria against foreign agents is becoming insane. The main enemies are Ukraine and the EU institutions.

By Péter Magyari

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.

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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

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

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.

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Reproductive justice and access to abortion in the Czech Republic

Report on the accessibility of abortion in the Czech Republic, conducted by the Abortion Support Alliance Prague with the support of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Prague.

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Reality is always a bit further afield then the latest news

Böll.Facts

Heinrich Böll, a renowned German author, achieved bestselling status with his poignant works. In 1972, he made history by becoming the first German writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature after World War II. His novels and stories, still widely studied in schools today, have earned him a place among the literary classics. However, the personal experiences and motivations that shaped Böll's writing remain lesser known. This concise introduction aims to shed light on the life and driving forces behind one of Germany's most influential post-war voices.

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