Engaging Central Europe

Holding a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest would be a charade Vladimir Putin would have to cross the airspace of at least one, if not more, EU and Nato member states to reach Budapest. This would mean that one EU country, under US pressure, would have to breach ...

The plan of the Budapest summit is an unfriendly move by the U.S. that rewards Putin and Orbán while ridiculing the EU.
But the EU can do more behind closed doors than merely cross its fingers for an Alaska-like, fruitless summit.
My piece for @euobserver.com
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

Lauritz Autischer - Beatrice Bottura - Bálint Mikola: Varieties of Illiberalism This AUTHLIB paper by Autischer, Bottura and Mikola explores the relationship between the ideological stance of illiberal parties in Europe and their policy positions on a range of policy areas.

📒 New AUTHLIB Working Paper

💡 In "Varieties of Illiberalism" Lauritz Autischer (CEU), Beatrice Bottura (Sciences Po) and Bálint Mikola (CEU Democracy Institute) explore the relationship between illiberal parties' ideological stances and their policy positions.

📣 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints
🗓️ October 30, 2025
4:00 – 5:30 PM CET

🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻: buff.ly/Cq4Z8dZ

📣 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: Habits of Democracy: Civic Culture and Civic Education in the Western Balkans
October 28, 2025
3:00 – 4:00 PM CET

Join the virtual event to learn how democratic participation is taught, experienced, and practiced in the Western Balkans.

🔗 Register: buff.ly/ErSEaVq

China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints Bulgaria is a potential entry point for Chinese influence in Central and Eastern Europe. Some Bulgarian stakeholders are keen on attracting Chinese investment, but they frequently disregard the associ...

Honored to speak at GMF’s event “China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria".

We’ll discuss how China's economic footprint intersects with Bulgaria’s political & strategic choices within the EU & transatlantic context.

Join us: www.gmfus.org/event/chinas...

@gmfus.bsky.social
@engagingce.bsky.social

The Links Between Bulgaria’s Revival Party and United Russia Merit Scrutiny Dimitar Keranov (GMF) explains how the rise of the far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture threaten Bulgaria’s democratic path.

If you’re interested in how the rise of a far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture are threatening Bulgaria’s democratic path, you can read my latest analysis for @authlibeu.bsky.social:

www.authlib.eu/bulgaria-rev...

@gmfus.bsky.social
@engagingce.bsky.social

It was a real honor and privilege to speak about anti-NGO laws in the European Union at Forum 2000, alongside great colleagues and with @kenlcg.bsky.social as our excellent moderator.
THREAD 1/4
@gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social
@authlibeu.bsky.social @ceudeminst.bsky.social

China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints

"As an #EU and #NATO member, #Bulgaria 🇧🇬 must balance economic opportunities with #China 🇨🇳 against risks to national security, Western alliances, the rule of law, and democracy."

Read more in my & A. Metodieva's analysis:

www.gmfus.org/news/chinas-...

@gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social

📢Výzva pre všetky mimovládne organizácie a občianske iniciatívy na #Slovensku!
Prihláste sa do programu #FOREST a posilnite svoju právnu, digitálnu, finančnú a psychickú odolnosť.
Čakajú na vás mentoring, školenia a príležitosti na networking!
➡️Info: tinyurl.com/2d5txbx3

📢 Figyelem, magyarországi civil szervezetek és informális csoportok!
Jelentkezzetek most a #FOREST programra, hogy fejlesszétek jogi, digitális, pénzügyi és mentális ellenállóképességeteket.
Mentorálás, képzések és kapcsolatépítési lehetőségek várnak rátok!
ℹ️Jelentkezési határidő: 2025. október 20.

We had an extremely informative and in-depth election readout with Andrea Michalcová, @petraguasti.bsky.social & Vít Dostál about the domestic and EU & foreign policy implications of the 🇨🇿 elections.
Key takeaway & video in THREAD
@gmfus.bsky.social
@authlibeu.bsky.social
@engagingce.bsky.social

Anti-Foreign NGO Laws: A Tool to Repress Civil Society Transatlantic Trusts Central Europe Regional Director Daniel Hegedüs appeared before the US House of Representatives’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission to give testimony for a hearing on laws outside...

How do anti-NGO laws impact human rights & democracy in Central Europe?
Check out my written testimony to the
@tlhumanrights.bsky.social on the topic, now published by
@gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social @authlibeu.bsky.social
👉 gmfus.org/news/anti-fo...

FOREST Fostering CSOs’ Resilience to Shrinking Spaces and Strengthening their Capacities through Individual Mentoring and Value Mainstreaming in Hungary and Slovakia Fostering CSOs’ Resilience to Shrinking S...

📢Calling all CSOs & civic groups in #Hungary & #Slovakia!
❗️Apply until Oct 20, 2025 for #FOREST to boost your legal, digital, financial & psychological resilience.
Mentoring, trainings & networking opportunities await!
⬇️Info⬇️

@gmfus.bsky.social

📢 Figyelem, magyarországi civil szervezetek és informális csoportok!
Jelentkezzetek most a #FOREST programra, hogy fejlesszétek jogi, digitális, pénzügyi és mentális ellenállóképességeteket.
Mentorálás, képzések és kapcsolatépítési lehetőségek várnak rátok!
ℹ️Jelentkezési határidő: 2025. október 20.

📢Výzva pre všetky mimovládne organizácie a občianske iniciatívy na #Slovensku!
Prihláste sa do programu #FOREST a posilnite svoju právnu, digitálnu, finančnú a psychickú odolnosť.
Čakajú na vás mentoring, školenia a príležitosti na networking!
➡️Info: tinyurl.com/2d5txbx3

Unlocking Influence: Improving the EU-Civil Society Dialogue in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine As Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine move forward on their paths toward EU accession, their civil societies are expected to play a critical role in monitoring reforms, promoting transparency, and…

🇪🇺 This week: tune into an conversation on the current state of the EU–civil society dialogue in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, and how the role of CSOs in shaping reforms throughout the accession process can be strengthened.

Register now:

Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.

Please join our hearing on anti-NGO laws and their human rights implications at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress.
📆September 9, 2:00 pm EDT / 8:00 pm CET
For the live webcast, follow the link below 👇
humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Lines of (Re)Alignment: Czech Foreign Policy After the 2025 Elections Amid the profound international transformations shaping Europe’s security, stability, and competitiveness, Czechia’s parliamentary elections on October 3–4 seem poised to bring a change in government ...

What change might the upcoming election bring to #Czech foreign policy?
Explore & discuss the potential scenarios with the AMO_cz's great @pavlinajan.bsky.social & Vít Dostál next Thursday in Berlin at @gmfus.bsky.social.
🗓️September 4, 1:00 pm CET
RSVP 👉 www.gmfus.org/event/lines-...

Like It or Not, Democratic Societies Need Clearly Defined Adversaries

Penned together with the great @gbuldioski.bsky.social, our piece argues that even democratic societies need clear concepts of adversaries—and if democratic centrists don’t define them, the radical right and other opponents of democracy will.
www.gmfus.org/news/it-or-n...
@gmfus.bsky.social

China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints

🇧🇬🇨🇳
Great and comprehensive overview of #China–#Bulgaria relations and the PRC’s influence in Bulgaria by my always sharp colleagues Asya Metodieva and @dimker.bsky.social .
Highly recommended reading 👇
www.gmfus.org/news/chinas-...
@gmfus.bsky.social
@engagingce.bsky.social

Central Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Reconstruction More than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces an immense recovery and reconstruction challenge—regardless of when or how the war ends. With over 43,000 civilian lives lost an...

JOIN TOMORROW!

🤝What role for Central Europe in Ukraine's reconstruction?

📌 July 15|4.00 p.m. CET|Online

#ReThinkCEE fellow Dominik Istrate, Bogdan Zawadewicz (Polish Development Bank), Ievgeniia Bodnya & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social explore CE's recovery efforts in Ukraine.

@gmfus.bsky.social

YouTube video by The German Marshall Fund of the United States Battling the Backlash: The Future of Gender Equality in the Western Balkans

The rise of anti-gender movements threaten democratic values in the Western Balkans.
Watch #ReThinkCEE fellow Angel Dimitrievski,Adriana Zaharijevic(Uni Belgrade), Irena Cvetkovic(Coalition Margins) & @danielhegedus.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social discuss their impact.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVtx...

YouTube video by The German Marshall Fund of the United States Strengthening Civil Society-Local Governemnt Collaboration for Recovery in Ukraine

🤝Local collaboration among authorities & civil society is crucial for Ukraine's future.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ODw...

@gmfus.bsky.social

Central Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Reconstruction More than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces an immense recovery and reconstruction challenge—regardless of when or how the war ends. With over 43,000 civilian lives lost an...

🤝What role for Central Europe in Ukraine's reconstruction?

📌 July 15|4.00 p.m. CET|Online

#ReThinkCEE fellow Dominik Istrate, Bogdan Zawadewicz (Polish Development Bank), Ievgeniia Bodnya & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social explore CE's recovery efforts: www.gmfus.org/event/centra...

@gmfus.bsky.social

Battling the Backlash: The Future of Gender Equality in the Western Balkans Anti-gender movements across the Western Balkans have gained momentum, challenging hard-won human rights and undermining fragile democratic norms. These movements, often backed by religious and far-ri...

Anti-gender movements are gaining momentum across Western societies, including in the Western Balkans.
Join our great #ReThinkCEE fellow Angel Dimitrievski, Adriana Zaharijevic, Irena Cvetkovic & yours truly to
discuss the impact.
📅June 26, 3:00 pm CET
RSVP⤵️
www.gmfus.org/event/battli...

In Uncertain Waters: The Restoration of the Rule of Law in Poland The victory of Karol Nawrocki, backed by the Law and Justice party (PiS), in the presidential election is set to alter the trajectory of one of the central projects of the coalition government led by…

🇵🇱 "Nawrocki presidency will likely focus on undermining and discrediting Tusk’s government and assisting PiS in winning the next parliamentary elections," writes Anna Wojcik.

Read her full analysis of Poland's presidential election:

Bulgaria’s Corruption Problem Is Washington’s Too

Bulgaria's corruption problem is Washington's too. If you would like to learn why that is, read my article here:

www.gmfus.org/news/bulgari...

@gmfus.bsky.social

🚀 Are you ready to embark on a unique and immersive journey?

🌎 The Marshall Memorial Fellowship program offers a unique chance for mid-career transatlantic leaders to enhance their understanding and foster collaboration between the United States and Europe.

The Anti-Gender Movement as a Threat to Democracy in the Western Balkans Over the past several years, the Western Balkans witnessed the rise of anti-gender movements that challenge fundamental human rights and threaten the region’s fragile democratic structures.…

🚫 Anti-gender movements (movements opposing what they call “gender ideology” or “gender theory”) across the Western Balkans have gained momentum, challenging hard-won human rights protections & undermining fragile democratic norms, writes fellow Angel Dimitrievski: www.gmfus.org/news/anti-ge...

Ukraine’s Local Actors: The Unspoken Heroes As Ukraine advances on its path toward EU integration, anticipation is building ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, a key international political gathering where government…

💰 Direct EU funding for Ukrainian local and regional authorities is imperative, argues GMF ‪@engagingce.bsky.social‬ fellow Khrystyna Kvartsiana, ahead of next month's Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.

Read her analysis of how the allies should support Ukraine's "local heroes":