As Hungary approaches another pivotal national election, the stakes extend far beyond the country itself. Viktor Orbán’s long tenure has reshaped Hungary’s political system, strained relations with the European Union, and positioned the country at the centre of debates about rule of law, sovereignty, and democratic backsliding. Will the upcoming election consolidate the current trajectory, or open the door to political change?
This panel brings together Hungarian opposition politician Miklós Hajnal alongside leading scholars of Central European politics to examine the state of Hungarian democracy, the structure of electoral competition, and the prospects for meaningful reform. The discussion will also consider what Hungary’s political future means for the European Union, regional stability, and the broader contest over liberal democracy in Europe.
