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
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
Ilker Kalin
Gender and sexual minorities are not just increasingly targeted by the state in Turkey – they are isolated by opposition groups that purport to champion democratic values. Ilker Kalin argues that the isolation of LGBTQ+ activists weakens democracy, and plays into the hands of repression Read more
Joseph Noonan
European leaders are inviting American academics to seek refuge in Europe. But as Joseph Noonan argues, the policies do not always match the rhetoric. If Europe truly wants to attract global talent, it must back up its words with real support Read more
Beáta Bakó
Membership of the EU no longer guarantees access to its core benefits. With funding now tied to rule-of-law compliance, aspiring member states are subject to increasing scrutiny. Beáta Bakó examines how this shift reshapes accession prospects – and why candidate countries may find themselves caught in a new cycle of disillusionment Read more
Antoaneta L. Dimitrova
EU enlargement to Ukraine is a strategic necessity, but cannot rest on geopolitics alone. To avoid backlash, the EU must confront policy dilemmas openly, from rule of law to agriculture, and offer realistic compromises. Antoaneta Dimitrova argues that public support depends on political leaders’ ability to offer a credible narrative to counter negative publicity Read more
Kaja Kaźmierska
The Lisbon Treaty appeared to restrict the powers of the presidency in external affairs. But it might also have made presidential powers more flexible. Kaja Kaźmierska describes how a reshuffling of leadership positions in the EU affected the role of the presidency Read more
Mimi Mihăilescu
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but protest visuals, especially during political upheaval, read like novels. Mimi Mihăilescu shows how visuals aren't just for documentation – they persuade, polarise, and shape public opinion. In Romania, where two protest factions are currently clashing, visuals are on the frontline of political warfare Read more
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