Péter Techet, research associate at IDM, commented on the early Croatian parliamentary elections in the German daily newspaper “taz”. He writes that while Zoran Milanović’s victory may bring internal change in a country long dominated by the conservative HDZ party, his foreign policy would be more skeptical regarding the EU and NATO.
The article can be read here.
In the French daily newspaper “Le Figaro,” Péter Techet, research associate at IDM, analyzed the possible outcomes of the new, rather conservative movement in Hungary led by Péter Magyar against Viktor Orbán. Techet said that Magyar, with his conservative rhetoric and attacks on the current opposition, might be able to reach current Fidesz voters, especially since a regime change in Hungary is not possible without the center-right, conservative electorate.
The article in French can be read here (behind paywall).
In the Belgian daily newspaper “La Libre Belgique”, Péter Techet, research associate at IDM, analyzed why Péter Magyar, who aims to launch a new movement against Viktor Orbán in Hungary, presents a threat not only to the government but also to the opposition, as he has predominantly appealed to opposition voters thus far.
The article in French can be read here (behind a paywall).
In the evening program of the Hungarian Klubrádió, Péter Techet, research associate at IDM, spoke about the right-wing shift in French media.
You can listen to the program in Hungarian here (after 13:20).
In the Hungarian-language program of the Slovak Radio (RTVS Pátria Rádió), Péter Techet, research associate at the IDM, analyzed the possible scenarios within the European Parliament after the elections in the summer.
The entire broadcast can be heard in Hungarian here.
IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer spoke on the Arabic-language television channel Aharq News about the results of the European Summit held in Brussels on 21 March regarding the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The Saudi Arabian TV station also invited a speaker from Moscow, who started by expressing his frustration about his frozen pension fund with Citi Bank. Schäffer stated that it is interesting to hear that suddenly rule of law is demanded, while the Russian Federation has violated international law in Ukraine for more than a decade now.
The legal possibilities of using Russian frozen assets in the EU to finance weapons for Ukraine among other things is currently debated among the Heads of State or Government in the Belgian capital. There seems to be a broader consensus, at least among the German political parties, to use the interest resulting from those assets, which adds up to around three billion euros per year.
While it is only natural that decisions among 27 sovereign countries take longer, time is not on the side of Ukraine. However, the Russian Federation is not as united as the result of the presidential “elections” might suggest. Schäffer said that there are signs of the biggest manipulations in Russia for nearly 25 years. Vladimir Putin would of course still have won, but by a much lesser margin.
The guest from Moscow argued that the economy of the Russian Federation is strong despite the sanctions and has been transformed to outproduce the West; he also declared that the attacks on his country from Ukraine will only further unite the Russian population behind Putin. The IDM Director responded that this might be the case, but even with the uncertainty of the support coming from the United States and the possibility of Trump returning to the White House next year, the EU member states have at least started to recognise the need to do more. As the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas suggested, if every country provides at least 0.25 percent of its gross domestic product for military aid, the Ukrainians could outstrip Russia.
Schäffer further mentioned that with all the lamenting coming from Moscow, we should not forget that the Kremlin heinously attacks the civilian population in Ukraine each and every day, causing death and destruction. They are solely responsible and have to face the consequences.
Experts comment for ED News on a possible membership application from Yerevan, among them IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer.
You can read the whole article here.
The article is also available in Azerbaijani.
Daniel Martínek (IDM) analyses Slovakia’s recent democratic decline under the new government coalition led by SMER party. Robert Fico’s return marks systemic changes, including dismantling the Special Prosecutor’s Office and ideological battles eroding democratic institutions. With international isolation looming and media crackdowns, President Čaputová emerges as a democratic bulwark. The upcoming presidential election becomes pivotal, determining Slovakia’s democratic trajectory amidst Fico’s power grab.
Read the article in German on DerStandard: Slowakei: Robert Ficos Comeback und der Niedergang der Demokratie
Read the article in English on Eastblog: In the Shadows of Illiberalism: Slovakia’s Democratic Struggle under Fico’s Resurgence
On 28 February 2024, a congress in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria asked Moscow for support. A day later, the Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the Federal Assembly, fuelling speculations over a response or even recognition from the Kremlin. Before the speech, IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer spoke with DW News and stated that he is not very concerned about a possible development on the ground, as this would currently be impossible from a logistical point of view. As the Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated during an interview at a summit held in Albania yesterday, “Moldova is safe today, thanks to the bravery of the Ukrainian soldiers”. If the overall situation changes, this could also have implications for Chișinău. Nevertheless, despite the historic sentiment in Transnistria towards the Soviet Union as well as the Russian language, economic factors should also be taken into account, Schäffer stated. Over the past decade, more goods are exported to the EU than to the Russian Federation. In the medium term, dependency on gas and electricity supply – which is still vital for Moldova coming mainly through the Transnistrian region – will also be alleviated due to countermeasures imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Vigilance is required, but fear of an escalation is still premature according to the IDM Director.
In the German newspaper “TAZ,” Peter Techet, research associate at IDM, wrote an op-ed regarding the current scandal in Hungary (following the resignation of the President of the State), i.e. the revelations from a Fidesz insider about the regime as a “family business.” Techet argues that Hungary is a post-communist Mafia state: the Orbán regime is not held together by an ideology, but by pure clan loyalty.
The article can be read here.
