Illiberal democracy

It seems that Viktor Orban has become a "vaccine" which strengthens the European Union, forcing it to act decisively whenever it appears adrift. A few weeks ago, in mid-December, the leaders of the other member-states urged the Hungarian prime minister to "go get some coffee" while they approved the start of Ukraine's and Moldova's EU accession process.

Since 1992, Francis Fukuyama has often been called upon to explain how his prediction of the definitive dominance of the liberal democracy model after the fall of communism has been tested by events - by the internal convulsions in Western democracies and by the apparent success of authoritarian regimes such as China. But his theory has never lost its appeal.

The quality of democracy in Greece recovered in 2022 after a decade of decline due the economic crisis, and despite the recent wiretapping case, according to the annual report of the Economist Intelligence Unit based on the Democracy Index.

European media freedom has been under threat for over a decade from illiberal governments, especially in Central and Southeast Europe, and the tech giants eating into the traditional media's business.

Blackmail as policy

European media in general has been facing a dual threat for over a decade. On one side there are the illiberal governments, especially in Central and Southeast Europe, using increasingly sophisticated means to defenestrate the independent media, while on the other side are the tech giants eating into the traditional media's business.

The campus is expected to be up and running by 2024. In addition to offering graduate programs in international relations, engineering, medicine and economics, Fudan University's website states that it will facilitate research and "promote high-tech innovation in Hungary".

Political Chaos Leaves Poles in the Dark

Polish Election Antics Show 'Collapse of Democracy'

Pandemic Boosts Support for Europe's Autocrats

Freedom House's latest 'Nations in Transit' report, published on Wednesday, strongly criticises Serbia, Montenegro and Hungary for falling democratic standards and classifies all three countries for the first time as 'hybrid regimes'.

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Greek Govt Accused of Dodging Democratic Oversight

Czechs Fear Autocratic Contagion

Hungary 'No Longer a Democracy'

The reason, experts say, is that people prioritise security in times of terror — an instinct easily exploited by illiberal governments keen to tighten their grip on power.