The outlook for Slovak-Hungarian relations after the 2012 parliamentary elections Slovakia has become the second Central European country after Hungary with a one-party government in power. And although – unlike Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party in Hungary – Robert Fico’s Smer-SD party in Slovakia lacks a constitutional majority in parliament which would allow them to make fundamental changes to the political system, the strongest politicians in the two neighbouring countries are in a comparable position today.
Hungary after the 2014 Parliamentary Election With turnout of just under 62 per cent of eligible voters, Viktor Orbán’s national conservative government has managed to garner 44 per cent of votes cast and a narrow two-thirds majority of seats in the parliament, thereby extending its tenure in office by another four years. The opposition alliance of Socialists and Liberals mustered just 25 per cent of the vote, while the extreme right-wing party Jobbik received nearly 21 per cent. With 5 per cent, the fourth party – the green party Politics Can Be Different (LMP) – also made it into the Hungary’s parliament on the banks of the Danube.
The Future of the EU from the Visegrad perspective: Common concerns or common visions? Even if the EU evolves towards a deeper integrated entity, it is likely that not all the current Members States will be involved in the same way. What influence would it have in the Visegrad cooperation? Is it an opportunity or a challenge? Is the Visegrad group a useful platform for cooperation in the EU issues in general or just in natural particular policies? What strategic interests these countries share and where are they moving apart?
Remembering the victims of the Roma Holocaust and the more recent wave of ’Roma murders’ in Hungary While Roma and Sinti living in Western Europe mainly face the painful task of coming to terms with the extermination of forefathers and relatives during World War II, physical persecution is very much a risk to be faced in the present for many Roma communities living in Central and Eastern Europe.
The EP election in Hungary: A contest without a second place The EP election in Hungary resulted in a clear victory for the governing party Fidesz. The national vote was characterised primarily by an internecine competition on the left and secondarily by a battle between the far-right and the left - an analysis by Tamás Boros. By Tamás Boros
Hungary and the EU: in search of respect and solidarity The dominant West European narrative according to which Orbán is seeking to move Hungary to Europe’s political periphery is at least partially flawed. What is missing is not a pro-European policy, but rather a vision of Hungary's role in the EU. By Kristóf Szombati
Focus on Hungary The Heinrich Böll Foundation has been compiling a dossier containing articles on the situation in Hungary since the right-wing government came to power in April 2010. The dossier is understood as forum for critical voices from Hungary. Their contributions reflect the socio-political changes in Hungary referring to current trends as well as long-term developments. (Teaser-Foto: Gabriella Csoszo) Zsófia Deák, Editor of the dossier (zsofia.deak@cz.boell.org)
Hungary: What can we expect from the next Orbán government? On 6 April, Fidesz obtained another two-thirds majority in the Hungarian parliament. What will Viktor Orbán want to do with his supermajority, and what are the next four years likely to bring in Hungarian politics and society? By Kristóf Szombati