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Eastern European Politics

December 12, 2024

Curating the past: how East and West remember differently

Andreea Tănasie Memory is a buzzword in many political and cultural debates, for building a shared identity to legitimising right-wing populism. Andreea Tănasie explores the institutionalisation of memory through museums across Europe, revealing how curatorial choices hide broader dynamics of legitimacy and exclusion Read more

December 6, 2024

Who is Péter Magyar, and can he become Hungary’s next Prime Minister?

Kinga Korányi Péter Magyar poses an unprecedented threat to Viktor Orbán’s rule. Kinga Korányi argues that Magyar’s sudden success is the result of his agenda-setting capabilities as a former Fidesz affiliate who caught Orbán’s government by surprise. However, she warns that Magyar’s lasting success is still contigent on several factors. Read more

November 29, 2024

Why manele music was the soundtrack to Romania’s presidential race

Mimi Mihăilescu Gypsy folk-pop – manele – played a key role in Romania’s 2024 presidential elections. In Roma tradition, manele expresses celebration and resilience. But Mimi Mihăilescu argues that for decades, Romania's politicians have exploited this musical genre for their own ends. Read more

November 29, 2024

🔮 Strong women, carnival populism, and Romania's new far-right leader

Camil Ungureanu Camil Ungureanu and Delia Dumitrica examine the phenomenon of Diana Șoșoacă, Romania's far-right strongwoman leader and TikTok sensation. While the populist right tends to champion traditional gender roles, Șoșoacă is crafting fresh gender narratives that resonate with female voters, Read more

November 28, 2024

How Călin Georgescu's TikTok tactics rewired Romanian politics

Mimi Mihăilescu In an unexpected twist to Romania’s 2024 presidential election, Călin Georgescu, virtually unknown a year ago, has emerged as a serious contender. Georgescu's ascent has been marked by antisemitic rhetoric, anti-Western discourse, and a sophisticated disinformation strategy. This, argues Mimi Mihăilescu, reveals the vulnerabilities of modern politics to social media manipulation. Read more

November 20, 2024

Melting democracy: the October 2024 national elections in Bulgaria

Dragomir Stoyanov Liberal democracy is backsliding in another EU member state. After more than a decade of GERB-party governance in Bulgaria – and the erosion of democracy and media freedom – the latest elections show how far the country is struggling to guarantee free and fair election process. Dragomir Stoyanov and Milen Lyubenov take a deep dive. Read more

October 9, 2024

Meme warfare in Romania: the manipulation of public consciousness

Mimi Mihăilescu Far-right Romanian presidential candidate George Simion is not just running a campaign, he’s waging a meme war. In today’s digital age, argues Mimi Mihăilescu, the way politicians communicate with the public has fundamentally shifted – and internet memes are emerging as powerful weapons for shaping public perception and discourse. Read more

June 26, 2024

Bulgaria’s political turbulence continues. But is this protest democracy or 'stabilitocracy'?

Ivaylo Dinev On Sunday 9 June 2024, Bulgaria went to the polls for the sixth parliamentary elections in three years. Bulgaria's political crisis, however, is far from over, writes Ivaylo Dinev Read more

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