Energiegemeinschaften im Westbalkan

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In einem Gastbeitrag für die österreichische Tageszeitung Der Standard beleuchtet Rebecca Thorne erfolgreiche Energiegemeinschaftsprojekte in Albanien, Nordmazedonien und Serbien. Zudem werden die politischen Rahmenbedingungen sowie die Hürden auf dem Weg zu einer nachhaltigen Energiezukunft im Westbalkan analysiert. Der Beitrag erschien gleichzeitig auch auf dem Blog der Forschungsgruppe Osteuropa am Institut für Politikwissenschaft der Universität Wien.

Lesen Sie den ganzen Artikel hier.

Sebastian Schäffer for FO° Talks on the Russian Roulette in Ukraine

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IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer recently joined Atul Singh, Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Fair Observer for another episode of FO° Talks. In the interview, Schäffer shared insights from his recent visit to Ukraine and reflected on the country’s current situation. He emphasised that Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and NATO is critical for the security of the entire continent. Without stronger European unity and increased military assistance, Schäffer warned, the risk of the conflict spreading beyond Ukraine’s borders will continue to grow. While Ukraine has made remarkable progress in aligning with EU regulations, Schäffer cautioned that hesitation among member states could undermine the broader European integration project.

The discussion also covered the risk of a divided Europe, with some countries showing strong support for Ukraine and others growing weary or hesitant. Schäffer also addressed the risks of yielding to Vladimir Putin’s demands, warning that doing so could further destabilise Europe rather than bring lasting peace.

Watch the whole conversation here.

Péter Techet for Frankfurter Rundschau on Orbán’s Sovereignty Law

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Péter Techet commented in the German daily Frankfurter Rundschau on the (temporarily withdrawn) Sovereignty Law, through which Viktor Orbán seeks to exert greater control over NGOs and independent media. According to Techet, the draft law clearly shows that Orbán is prepared to do whatever it takes to remain in power even after the 2026 parliamentary elections. 

The full article can be read here.

Péter Techet for Die Presse on the significance of the next elections in Hungary

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In the Austrian daily newspaper Die Presse, Péter Techet writes an Op-Ed on whether and why the parliamentary elections in Hungary next year will be a turning point: either Orbán continues to expand his power in an authoritarian manner, or his new challenger, Péter Magyar, can stop this course. 

The article can be read here. 

Péter Techet’s op-ed was also picked up by the Hungarian media. The weekly newspaper HVG reported on it on its website and summarized the main arguments of the article; in addition, Klubrádió made an interview with Techet about the theses of his article. 

Péter Techet for Liechtensteiner Vaterland on the Pride Parade in Budapest

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In the daily newspaper of Liechtenstein, Vaterland, Péter Techet was asked about the political significance of the Pride Parade in Budapest, where 200,000 people – despite the official ban on the event – marched in protest against the government. 

The article can be read here. 

Péter Techet for Salzburger Nachrichten on the Pride in Budapest

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In the Austrian daily newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten, Péter Techet was asked about Viktor Orbán’s announced ban on the Pride parade in Budapest. According to Techet, Orbán is using identity politics to distract from social and economic problems while trying to divide the opposition. However, this strategy failed: this year’s Pride in Budapest turned into a large demonstration against the government. 

The article can be read here. 

Sophia Beiter for AlQahera News on the European Council summit

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Research Associate Sophia Beiter recently spoke with AlQahera News about the ongoing European Council summit on 26 and 27 June 2025, where EU heads of state address pressing economic challenges, as well as ongoing developments in Ukraine and the Middle East. Beiter commented on the proposed 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which Slovakia and Hungary have already indicated they may oppose. She also highlighted the divergent positions within the EU on the conflict in Gaza, as well as discussions about a trade agreement with the United States in view of the tariffs imposed by President Trump. 

You can find the interview here. 

NATO must pivot East – or risk irrelevance

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In his latest article for New Eastern Europe, Mihai Razvan Ungureanu highlights the urgent need for NATO to shift its strategic focus toward its Eastern members. He argues that as security threats increasingly emerge from the East, the alliance must realign its resources, leadership, and infrastructure to better support countries on the front line, such as Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states. Ungureanu calls for stronger regional cooperation, greater investment, and a renewed commitment to defending the Eastern flank, warning that NATO’s relevance depends on its ability to adapt to these new challenges.

Read the whole article here.

Gastkommentar in Die Presse: „Wenn Aufgeben keine Option ist“

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In seinem aktuellen Gastkommentar in der österreichischen Tageszeitung Die Presse schildert IDM-Direktor Sebastian Schäffer eindrucksvoll seine jüngste Reise in die Ukraine. Der Beitrag trägt den Titel „Wenn Aufgeben keine Option ist“ und rückt Menschen in den Mittelpunkt, die trotz anhaltender Bedrohung, täglichem Luftalarm und politischer Unsicherheit nicht müde werden, für ihre Freiheit, ihre Rechte und eine europäische Zukunft zu kämpfen. 

Basierend auf zahlreichen Gesprächen mit Vertreter:innen der Zivilgesellschaft, Journalist:innen und Aktivist:innen thematisiert der Artikel nicht nur die Widerstandskraft der ukrainischen Gesellschaft, sondern auch die Rolle Europas – und insbesondere Österreichs – in einem Krieg, der längst nicht nur die Ukraine betrifft. 

Schäffer appelliert an ein langfristiges Engagement und mahnt, nicht in Gleichgültigkeit oder Kriegsroutine zu verfallen. Gerade in Zeiten wachsender Müdigkeit in der öffentlichen Debatte sei es entscheidend, Haltung zu zeigen – und hinzusehen, wo andere lieber wegschauen. 

Zum vollständigen Artikel.

Sebastian Schäffer and Malwina Talik for Fair Observer on Russian Influence in CEE

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In their article “Russian Influence in Central Europe Evolves from Disinformation to Democratic Erosion”, published in Fair Observer, Sebastian Schäffer and Malwina Talik explore how Russian disinformation in Central Europe has developed to erode democratic processes. Focusing on recent elections in Romania and Poland, the authors highlight the Kremlin’s evolving strategies to influence elections and destabilise democratic institutions. They call for enhanced media literacy, stronger regulation, and coordinated responses to counter these hybrid threats. 

Read the full article here.