Tyyne Karjalainen
Hungary’s blocking behaviour risks derailing Ukraine’s fragile pro-European momentum. If not addressed, it could fuel Euroscepticism, embolden authoritarian spoilers, and hollow out the EU’s enlargement promise. Tyyne Karjalainen explores what options are on the table to restore credibility to the accession process Read more
Avery Gozu
Anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment has surged in Romania, especially since the 2024 presidential elections. Avery Gozu argues that illiberal candidates' weaponisation of homophobia runs deeper than surface-level insults – it is embedded in a socio-cultural web of hetero-nationalism and hegemonic masculinity Read more
Hanna Zelma Horányi
What role do sexism, racism, and climate denial play in the regime of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán? Hanna Zelma Horányi describes how Orbán is legitimising his power through the concept of ‘petro-masculinity’ Read more
Renata Mieńkowska-Norkiene
Poland's presidential election resulted in surprise defeat for centrist Civic Coalition candidate Rafał Trzaskowski. Renata Mieńkowska-Norkiene describes how Donald Tusk's governing coalition misjudged the public mood – and how the right-wing Karol Nawrocki convinced the Polish electorate that he is a 'man of the people' Read more
Albrecht Rothacher
On the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre in eastern Bosnia, Albrecht Rothacher looks back at the significance of that event, and the confederal State it produced. Three decades on, can the EU realistically consider Bosnia and Herzegovina as a potential member state? Read more
Mimi Mihăilescu
In May, Romanian reality star Teodora Marcu was shot dead by her former partner. Thousands marched in protest, but the state remained silent. Mimi Mihăilescu argues that Romania’s democracy, which has long excluded women from power, must confront the systems that render women's deaths predictable and politically acceptable Read more
Albrecht Rothacher
In 2026, Bulgaria will likely join the eurozone. On the surface, the economic indicators look good. But Albrecht Rothacher and Martin Bull argue that this may be another example of the will of Brussels triumphing over hard socioeconomic reality. Bulgarians, they warn, should brace themselves for a fiscal shock Read more
Monika Sus
Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Poland is making an unprecedented push to join NATO’s nuclear sharing programme. Monika Sus argues that, as Poland’s threat perception rises, its defence strategy evolves and NATO’s deterrence posture shifts, the debate over nuclear deterrence is gaining momentum Read more
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