Kati Cseres
@katicseres.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Law, Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance, tweets on Hungary and Eastern Europe, power disparities, citizens and consumers, constitutional questions of the economy
After 15 years of Orbán’s rule, media capture in Hungary remains alarming. In @verfassungsblog.de we look at the Blikk acquisition by pro-government Indamedia and explore how the European Media Freedom Act could give the EU more leverage. verfassungsblog.de/curb-media-c...
The EU’s Chance to Curb Media Capture
verfassungsblog.de
December 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM
After 15 years of Orbán’s rule, media capture in Hungary remains alarming. In @verfassungsblog.de we look at the Blikk acquisition by pro-government Indamedia and explore how the European Media Freedom Act could give the EU more leverage. verfassungsblog.de/curb-media-c...
Reposted by Kati Cseres
Reposted by Kati Cseres
💥ICYMI: Hungarian intelligence spied on the EU from Brussels in the 2010s, trying to recruit Hungarians inside EU institutions. Their reckless operation backfired—the network got exposed, and now even EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi’s role is under scrutiny. @direkt36.bsky.social @papertrailmedia.de
Inside the Fall of Viktor Orbán’s Secret Brussels Spy Network - Direkt36
In the 2010s, Hungarian intelligence began spying in Brussels against the EU and tried to recruit Hungarians working in EU institutions for this purpose. However, Hungarian intelligence carried it out...
www.direkt36.hu
October 10, 2025 at 1:19 PM
💥ICYMI: Hungarian intelligence spied on the EU from Brussels in the 2010s, trying to recruit Hungarians inside EU institutions. Their reckless operation backfired—the network got exposed, and now even EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi’s role is under scrutiny. @direkt36.bsky.social @papertrailmedia.de
That HU disrupts the functioning of the EU’s internal market comes as no surprise, nor that it manages state aid schemes flawlessly to the benefit of foreign companies. But that NL investments lend their support to Orbán’s authoritarian regime becomes undeniable when reading this @fd.nl analysis
Hoe Hongarije met EU-geld industrie wegtrekt uit Nederland
Hoe Hongarije met EU-geld industrie wegtrekt uit Nederland
Na Apollo Vredestein sloot recent ook fietsenfabrikant Accell zijn fabriek in Nederland. Beide bedrijven verplaatsen hun productie naar Hongarije. Maar waarom uitgerekend dt autoritair geleide land
fd.nl
September 27, 2025 at 4:38 PM
That HU disrupts the functioning of the EU’s internal market comes as no surprise, nor that it manages state aid schemes flawlessly to the benefit of foreign companies. But that NL investments lend their support to Orbán’s authoritarian regime becomes undeniable when reading this @fd.nl analysis
Slovakia in the footsteps of Hungary: new constitutional amendments impose binary gender, restrict adoption to heterosexual couples, and ban surrogacy, a major step backwards for rights in the EU. #RuleOfLaw #LGBTIQ #Slovakia
Slovakia’s parliament amended its constitution today to state that all citizens are either male or female, limit adoption to married heterosexual couples and ban surrogacy.
Slovakia enshrines 2 genders in constitution
Fico government’s controversial move sets up clash with EU law.
ow.ly
September 26, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Slovakia in the footsteps of Hungary: new constitutional amendments impose binary gender, restrict adoption to heterosexual couples, and ban surrogacy, a major step backwards for rights in the EU. #RuleOfLaw #LGBTIQ #Slovakia
In other words, #Ecofin today gives lesson No.1. in EU law and integration to HU: respect market mechanisms and protect "undistored competition"in the internal market.
July 8, 2025 at 11:41 AM
In other words, #Ecofin today gives lesson No.1. in EU law and integration to HU: respect market mechanisms and protect "undistored competition"in the internal market.
Double nationality has never felt more meaningful than seeing A'dam mayor Femke Halsema and the Dutch ambassador front row on stage at #BudapestPride yesterday
photo Istvan Huszti @telexhu.bsky.social
photo Istvan Huszti @telexhu.bsky.social
June 29, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Double nationality has never felt more meaningful than seeing A'dam mayor Femke Halsema and the Dutch ambassador front row on stage at #BudapestPride yesterday
photo Istvan Huszti @telexhu.bsky.social
photo Istvan Huszti @telexhu.bsky.social
Hungary’s New “Transparency” bill to Eliminate All Dissent
The draft bill targets civil society and independent media by labeling them as foreign-influenced threats, imposing punitive restrictions. This is not a threat—it’s a calculated move to erase dissent from the HU public sphere.
The draft bill targets civil society and independent media by labeling them as foreign-influenced threats, imposing punitive restrictions. This is not a threat—it’s a calculated move to erase dissent from the HU public sphere.
Read how the mechanics and the impact of the 'Starve and Strangle law', a new bill in the 🇭🇺 parliament, would silence independent voices, civil society and media.
We urge EU institutions and member states, the Council of Europe and the OSCE to act.
Our briefing note ➡️ helsinki.hu/en/operation...
We urge EU institutions and member states, the Council of Europe and the OSCE to act.
Our briefing note ➡️ helsinki.hu/en/operation...
Operation Starve and Strangle: companies, independent media and civil society in a chokehold - Hungarian Helsinki Committee
A new proposal for a law would allow the Hungarian government to blacklist a broad range of for-profit and non-profit entities, severely limiting their ability to operate. Hungarian civil society orga...
helsinki.hu
May 22, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Hungary’s New “Transparency” bill to Eliminate All Dissent
The draft bill targets civil society and independent media by labeling them as foreign-influenced threats, imposing punitive restrictions. This is not a threat—it’s a calculated move to erase dissent from the HU public sphere.
The draft bill targets civil society and independent media by labeling them as foreign-influenced threats, imposing punitive restrictions. This is not a threat—it’s a calculated move to erase dissent from the HU public sphere.
What can, and should a national competition authority analyse in case of a media merger, this time in the Netherlands concenring the planned merger between DPG/RTL.
#mediaplurality #ruleoflaw #competitionlaw www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
#mediaplurality #ruleoflaw #competitionlaw www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
‘Bij het toetsen van mediafusies loopt Nederland aan tegen een democratisch tekort’, zegt jurist Kati Cseres
Kati Cseres | Universitair hoofddocent Europees recht: De consumentenwaakhond ACM heeft geen wettelijk mandaat om te toetsen of DPG’s overname van RTL de pluriformiteit van het medialandschap in Neder...
www.nrc.nl
May 17, 2025 at 7:58 AM
What can, and should a national competition authority analyse in case of a media merger, this time in the Netherlands concenring the planned merger between DPG/RTL.
#mediaplurality #ruleoflaw #competitionlaw www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
#mediaplurality #ruleoflaw #competitionlaw www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Reposted by Kati Cseres
A dark turn in Hungary’s democracy erosion: disguised as a transparency measure to prevent sovereignty threats, the Bill on the Transparency of Public Life aims to starve and strangle civil society, independent media and any legal entity the government decides to target. helsinki.hu/en/operation...
Operation Starve and Strangle: Hungary’s proposed “Transparency” Law threatens core European democratic values and attacks independent civil society and media organisations - Hungarian Helsinki Commit...
A new legislative proposal marks a turning point in Hungary's erosion of democratic norms. Disguised as a transparency measure to prevent sovereignty threats, the Bill on the Transparency of Public Li...
helsinki.hu
May 15, 2025 at 4:57 PM
A dark turn in Hungary’s democracy erosion: disguised as a transparency measure to prevent sovereignty threats, the Bill on the Transparency of Public Life aims to starve and strangle civil society, independent media and any legal entity the government decides to target. helsinki.hu/en/operation...
📢 State aid complaint filed against Hungary over distorted media markets through state advertising.
Today Magyar Hang filed a State aid complaint with the European Commission, concerning HU gov's advertising practicesin HU media markets.
#StateAid #MediaFreedom #Hungary
hang.hu/info/stateme...
Today Magyar Hang filed a State aid complaint with the European Commission, concerning HU gov's advertising practicesin HU media markets.
#StateAid #MediaFreedom #Hungary
hang.hu/info/stateme...
Statement
Alhambra Press, jointly with another Hungarian media company, file a State aid complaint against Hungary.
hang.hu
April 28, 2025 at 6:48 AM
📢 State aid complaint filed against Hungary over distorted media markets through state advertising.
Today Magyar Hang filed a State aid complaint with the European Commission, concerning HU gov's advertising practicesin HU media markets.
#StateAid #MediaFreedom #Hungary
hang.hu/info/stateme...
Today Magyar Hang filed a State aid complaint with the European Commission, concerning HU gov's advertising practicesin HU media markets.
#StateAid #MediaFreedom #Hungary
hang.hu/info/stateme...
Reposted by Kati Cseres
Attention scientists! The Trump plan to institute Schedule F would destroy expert peer review by permitting politically appointed officials to interfere in grant decisions. Object by clicking on the green "public comment" link here: www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing a rule to increase career employee accountability. Agency supervisors report great difficulty removing employees for poor performance or misconduc...
www.federalregister.gov
April 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Attention scientists! The Trump plan to institute Schedule F would destroy expert peer review by permitting politically appointed officials to interfere in grant decisions. Object by clicking on the green "public comment" link here: www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
"America’s Future Is Hungary"
a must read by @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
a must read by @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
What did 14 years of autocratic populism produce in Hungary?
Poverty and corruption
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
Poverty and corruption
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
The Hungarian Model
MAGA conservatives love Viktor Orbán. But he’s left his country corrupt, stagnant, and impoverished.
www.theatlantic.com
March 31, 2025 at 1:54 PM
"America’s Future Is Hungary"
a must read by @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
a must read by @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Hungary finally arising against what should be all's concern: banning Pride today is banning the freedom of assembly to all of us tomorrow. Downtown Budapest now protesting against the law banning pride telex.hu/belfold/2025...
Megtelt a Ferenciek tere a Pride betiltása miatt szervezett tüntetésen
Hadházy Ákos független képviselő kedd késő délutánra tüntetést hirdetett Budapest belvárosába. A beszédek kezdete előtt a környék autós forgalma megbénult, a tüntetők a Szabad sajtó útján is állnak, a...
telex.hu
March 25, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Hungary finally arising against what should be all's concern: banning Pride today is banning the freedom of assembly to all of us tomorrow. Downtown Budapest now protesting against the law banning pride telex.hu/belfold/2025...
Today Hungarian Parliament voted to ban Pride events.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Huge crowd is now protesting on the streets in Budapest.
444.hu/2025/03/18/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Huge crowd is now protesting on the streets in Budapest.
444.hu/2025/03/18/a...
Hungary bans Pride events and plans to use facial recognition to target attenders
Amnesty International describes legislation as ‘full-frontal attack’ on country’s LGBTQ+ community
www.theguardian.com
March 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Today Hungarian Parliament voted to ban Pride events.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Huge crowd is now protesting on the streets in Budapest.
444.hu/2025/03/18/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Huge crowd is now protesting on the streets in Budapest.
444.hu/2025/03/18/a...
Here is 15th(!) amendment HU Basic law: Nobody can be deprived of their HU citizenship
"The citizenship of a HU citizen who is also a citizen of another state, with theexception of a citizen of a state with the right of freemovement and residence, may be suspended for a limited period of time."
"The citizenship of a HU citizen who is also a citizen of another state, with theexception of a citizen of a state with the right of freemovement and residence, may be suspended for a limited period of time."
Can a country expel its own citizens? In the draft new amendments to HU's Basic Law, Fidesz lead targets Hungarians with dual citizenship, "if his or her activities threaten the national sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity or security of Hungary." 444.hu/2025/03/09/a...
March 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Here is 15th(!) amendment HU Basic law: Nobody can be deprived of their HU citizenship
"The citizenship of a HU citizen who is also a citizen of another state, with theexception of a citizen of a state with the right of freemovement and residence, may be suspended for a limited period of time."
"The citizenship of a HU citizen who is also a citizen of another state, with theexception of a citizen of a state with the right of freemovement and residence, may be suspended for a limited period of time."
Can a country expel its own citizens? In the draft new amendments to HU's Basic Law, Fidesz lead targets Hungarians with dual citizenship, "if his or her activities threaten the national sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity or security of Hungary." 444.hu/2025/03/09/a...
March 11, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Can a country expel its own citizens? In the draft new amendments to HU's Basic Law, Fidesz lead targets Hungarians with dual citizenship, "if his or her activities threaten the national sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity or security of Hungary." 444.hu/2025/03/09/a...
HU is a problem to the EU, its vetoes, blackmails, blockades threaten EU unity. BUT HU is not equal with Orbán + his government, kicking out the country will cut off important ties with the broader HU society who is very pro-EU.
Very skeptical of this. There is a difference between procuring vaccines without clear Treaty competence (mentioned below by Mij) and kicking MS out (not possible).
There is a way to deal with this though: Suspend HU votes via Art. 7 and continue to withhold EU funds, effectively freezing HU out.
There is a way to deal with this though: Suspend HU votes via Art. 7 and continue to withhold EU funds, effectively freezing HU out.
So a whole host of ideas are being talked about... including, wait for it, kicking the Hungarians out! Sceptics will argue there is currently no legal mechanism to do this. That's true. But in times of existential crisis, treaty considerations have a history of melting away 11/
March 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
HU is a problem to the EU, its vetoes, blackmails, blockades threaten EU unity. BUT HU is not equal with Orbán + his government, kicking out the country will cut off important ties with the broader HU society who is very pro-EU.
Participation of third parties in the public enforcement of the Digital Markets Act: between democracy and technocracy 1st presented in 2023 at our joint DMA workshop w/@article19.bsky.social now my paper w/ LC Korte is published in Journal of antitrust enforcement academic.oup.com/antitrust/ad...
Participation of third parties in the public enforcement of the Digital Markets Act: between democracy and technocracy
Abstract . The Digital Markets Act (DMA) forms a building block of the EU’s emerging digital constitution to rein in corporate power with in the digital in
academic.oup.com
March 7, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Participation of third parties in the public enforcement of the Digital Markets Act: between democracy and technocracy 1st presented in 2023 at our joint DMA workshop w/@article19.bsky.social now my paper w/ LC Korte is published in Journal of antitrust enforcement academic.oup.com/antitrust/ad...
The new EUCO formation is #EU26
Interesting format of the #EUCO conclusions, which are adopted by consensus (Art. 15(4) TEU).
- There are 2 parts (Part I on #Ukraine; Part II on European #defence).
- Part I refers to a document (EUCO 10/25) that is only supported by 26 Member States.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
- There are 2 parts (Part I on #Ukraine; Part II on European #defence).
- Part I refers to a document (EUCO 10/25) that is only supported by 26 Member States.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Press releases and statements
Press releases and statements from the European Council and its president, the Council of the EU, Council preparatory bodies and the Eurogroup President.
www.consilium.europa.eu
March 6, 2025 at 9:29 PM
The new EUCO formation is #EU26
Best visual, no comment needed
March 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Best visual, no comment needed
Orbán is currently the oly EU leader disrupting EU unity, and its clear and strong support for Zelensky and Ukraine. A disgrace for Hungary.
💥Scoop: As EU leaders rally around Zelensky in support, I have obtained this fresh letter from Viktor Orbán to António Costa, threatening to obstruct EU unity in support of Ukraine. As I previously wrote, Hungary is becoming a Trojan horse for Trump after already serving as one for China and Russia.
March 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Orbán is currently the oly EU leader disrupting EU unity, and its clear and strong support for Zelensky and Ukraine. A disgrace for Hungary.