Analysis
Representation Gaps and Central European Populism
It is a common misconception that racism and xenophobia are to blame for the rise of populism in Europe, Julia Lakatos’s analysis points to a double representation gap as an alternative explanation.
Stability, Strength, Traditions
Hungary does not have a tradition of early elections.The demand for them is nevertheless high. Zoltán Novák’s analysis on why this topic dominated public discourse at the beginning of the year.
The End of the European Ideal?
In the 1950s, the newly uniting Europe had strong ideals. Nowadays, it is difficult to define what a united Europe means. Ervin Csizmadia’s analysis.
Path Dependency in Education
Why is education crucial in building a democratic country? Róbert Kiss’s analysis highlights the essential role of education in strengthening democratic norms, using the example of a new Hungarian film to explore these issues.
The impact of Trump’s victory on Hungary
What can the Hungarian government expect from a second Trump presidency? Analysis by Gergely Rajnai attempts to find answers to that question drawing from what Trump did after his victory and how the first Trump administration handled relations with Hungary.
The Return of Politics
A new party, Tisza, has approached Fidesz in the opinion polls. The party’s fast rise to fame is not just due to the fatigue of pro-government voters, but to the return of domestic politics in political messaging.
The strategy of economic neutrality
Hungary’s Prime Minister feels that the prospects of European autonomy are bleak, therefore the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy can only be improved through an independent policy. According to Viktor Orbán, this is the path of neutrality.
Political Learning and Non-learning
Every dominant party falls from power, the question is when and how? Ervin Csizmadia writes about the power of learning from the opponent.
Hungarian Political Development
Why do historical patterns keep reappearing in the present and why is it that theories of populism cannot give adequate explanations for this? A summary of Ervin Csizmadia’s new book.
The transformation of the Hungarian opposition?
The fact that the Hungarian opposition was not able to win elections for the past twelve years makes it unique within East-Central Europe. But why is the opposition so weak, and what are its possibilities for the future? Ervin Csizmadia’s analysis.
What happened in Hungary?
The 2022 Hungarian elections ended with an unexpected twist. Fidesz not only hung on to its majority but managed to receive a 2/3 supermajority for the fourth consecutive time. CFPA’s analysis of the outcome.
Fidesz dominance
Why has the same party won elections in Hungary for more than 12 years? CFPA’s new book looks at this question from a comparative and a historical perspective.
Limits to Innovation?
The Hungarian opposition has taken a great leap towards its renewal with the introduction of the primary election. The question remains however, whether a new system of selection will be enough to find a winning candidate against Viktor Orbán.
Orbán, the West, and Perspectives for Atlanticism
The rhetoric of the Orbán-government has led to several high profile critiques lately. These may be exaggerated, nevertheless they mirror a widespread international sentiment according to which Hungary is no longer a democracy. Ervin Csizmadia looks at the causes of this narrative.
European Crisis Communication
Centre for Fair Political Analysis has analyzed the crisis communication of four European leaders from the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak to the first re-openings (from the end of February to the end of May). We were curious to see how the crisis altered the political communication of the politicians studied.
Motivations of defiance
The Orbán government has been clashing with Europe for the past decade. What are the strategic considerations behind these clashes and what could the West learn from them?
Energy Security and Strategic Communication
Culture Wars?
The declaration a culture war, or rather the equivalent of conservative countercultural revolution has been an important element of Hungarian politics in 2019. This shouldn’t come as a surprise though. Julia Lakatos’s analysis goes behind the scenes of the evolution of the concept.
Hungary Divided
The municipal elections of Hungary have become exactly the game changing moment that the opposition had been waiting for. But what can they learn from the outcome?
Why We Support Debates
With less than a month to go before local elections in Budapest, Gergely Karácsony’s suggestion for a debate is being swept off the table by incumbent mayor István Tarlós. How could there be a debate, why should there be one, and what should it be about? CFPA’s position.
Visions of Europe
In our newest e-book we looked at the relationship between Hungary and Europe from five different perspectives; that of party programs, the press, education, political history and mentality.
Why Fidesz Won
The 2018 national elections have ended with a supermajority for Fidesz. This gives the party a strong legitimacy to form its third consecutive government. Both the opposition and major international media outlets have shown disbelief at the results. How could Fidesz have won again?
Election in Hungary ’18
On March 15, one of the most important Hungarian national holidays, the Hungarian government took many people to the streets. The opposition parties could mobilize a lot less but the April 8 elections obviously will not be decided by how many people take to the streets. Ervin Csizmadia explains the “why”s.
The Second Danger to Democracy
We talk so much of populism that we fail to realize that there is also a second danger to democracy, namely radical pluralism. All encompassing diversity endangers the essence of liberal democracy, the balance of the levels of individuals and community. The American Founding Fathers realized this danger. Why do we fail to see it today?