There was a Fidesz ideologue who once said, "What you call corruption is the essence of the system." Seems he was right but we're just learning by how much. The Integrity Authority estimates Orban's rule cost Hungary €160B(!) in corruption. That equals ~2/3 of 🇭🇺 GDP. www.ft.com/content/0c44...
This Wednesday I will join #DemocracyDrinks of @defenddemocracy.eurosky.social in Brussels. All welcome!
Head of Hungary’s anti-graft body says €160bn may have been siphoned off during ex-PM’s 16 years in power
There was a Fidesz ideologue who once said, "What you call corruption is the essence of the system." Seems he was right but we're just learning by how much. The Integrity Authority estimates Orban's rule cost Hungary €160B(!) in corruption. That equals ~2/3 of 🇭🇺 GDP. www.ft.com/content/0c44...
www.ft.com
Head of Hungary’s anti-graft body says €160bn may have been siphoned off during ex-PM’s 16 years in power
Europe needs to rapidly improve its deterrence.
A new @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social / Hanns Seidel Foundation paper by @armida.bsky.social outlines key steps European governments can take in the next 1-2 years to accelerate rearmament, readiness and deterrence efforts.
Read here: buff.ly/rwfLU1S
I learned a lot about what is happening with enlargement from this brilliant podcast, by @milanninberlin.bsky.social and @zecsaky.bsky.social. They are not as pessimistic as I am about the prospects of EU enlargement.
PERSONAL NEWS: I've joined the @newyorker.com full-time as a global-affairs columnist, where I'll be writing a weekly essay on the world. It's a dream gig and I'm still pinching myself that I get to say all these incredible, talented journalists I've long admired are my colleagues!
Centre for European Reform
(Also, @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social there's your extra zero. 😉)
This is some incredible number. The Integrity Authority was set up under EU milestones to tackle corruption. We did not hear much of its work. Now its head claims that both him and his wife was harassed & threatened by the previous government youtu.be/FgaI-YT2hTQ?...
Charles Grant
Zselyke Csaky
In May 2026, votes in the EP resembled those of times past: with majorities based on the cooperation of EPP, S&D and Renew, no votes decided by the far right, and a fine example of a very broad supermajority.
By NICOLAI VON ONDARZA
#EUanalytics
Ishaan Tharoor
Zselyke Csaky
What looks like the continuation of a previous case, the prosecution filed charges against Biro a few days ago, accusing him of abuse of office and misconduct and requesting jailtime. ugyeszseg.hu/vademeles-az...
