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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Jakub Jaraczewski @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social · 1d

🇺🇸🇸🇰🇭🇺🇵🇱 Once again, NGOs in the US would benefit greatly from talking to civil society in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia (and several other places) about how to deal with a government that's hostile to the part of the third sector that doesn't align with its ideology. 1/

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · 1d

What happened during #Czechia’s elections and what do the results mean for the EU going forward? @zecsaky.bsky.social looks at the implications of the vote.

Read here: buff.ly/NQity3w

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Nate Schenkkan @nateschenkkan.bsky.social · 2d

This opens the door to more transnational repression

Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 2d

Plans to further reduce EU standards for expulsion of non-EU citizens, via @statewatch.bsky.social

Jonathan Tranter @jonathantranter.bsky.social · 5d

www.statewatch.org/news/2025/oc...

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 2d

So awful and so familiar, of course. The difference with Hungary is that after this happened there, it was the US that stepped in (and the EU, but later) www.ft.com/content/68bf...

‘Enormous fear’: Trump’s threats against George Soros chill US non-profits

Civil society groups funded by billionaire’s charitable foundation feel vulnerable to administration’s attacks

www.ft.com

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 2d

Also, some really good points by @jrovny.bsky.social here. I share some of his optimism though the hardening of polarization is definitely one thing that's not welcome blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...

The 2025 Czech election – Andrej Babiš’s Pyrrhic victory

Andrej Babiš’s ANO won the 2025 Czech election on 3–4 October. Yet as Jan Rovny explains, Babiš will find it challenging to form a stable government.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 2d

4️⃣ It's not just Hungary (with Slovakia and now potentially Czechia) that is at fault for divisions within the EU. Other member states, sometimes conveniently, can hide behind these vetoes -- something important to keep in mind when looking at the long-term impact

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 2d

3️⃣ For the EU, it matters whether there is a rump Visegrad alive and kicking again. Closer cooperation with 🇭🇺 & 🇸🇰 could have significant potential for disruption. But with protracted coalition talks in Czechia and if (a biiig if) Orban loses in the spring, that impact may be quite small

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 2d

2️⃣ The level of cooperation with and dependence on the Motorists and SPD will matter. The latter earlier called for a referendum on EU and NATO membership, and the Motorists have pushed for rolling back the Green Deal – stances that would pull ANO increasingly to the far right

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 2d

A couple things to highlight.
1️⃣ if Babis manages to form a government, it's unlikely to be a full U-turn on foreign policy. Support for Ukraine will suffer, but Czech arms producers benefit significantly from deliveries, making a Slovakia-like outcome more likely (continued commercial exports)

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 2d

This adds to the argument that Trump hasn't been a clear boon to Europe's radical right. It's not just Meloni, Orban is also struggling to benefit.

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Claes de Vreese @claesdevreese.bsky.social · 2d

Meta’s decision to ban ads about politics, elections, and social issues on their platforms like Facebook and Instagram in the EU is now implemented.

This is the new policy. Any ad about fx elections, civil rights, economy, health, climate, immigration, or foreign policy is now (presumably) banned.

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 2d

Here is something on Czechia's elections and the implications for the EU from me:

Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · 2d

#Czechia’s elections mark a populist shift, but Babiš now faces a hard path to form a government. The further he’s pulled to the right, the greater the risk of EU fragmentation.

Quick @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social reaction from @zecsaky.bsky.social

Read here:

CER quick reaction: The Czech elections

Czechia’s elections mark a populist shift, but Babiš faces a hard path to form a government. The further he’s pulled to the right, the greater the risk of EU fragmentation.

buff.ly

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Judah Grunstein @judah-grunstein.bsky.social · 4d

Ellison's purchase of CBS and CNN functions in the same way. It doesn't just add a Fox clone to the media menu. It removes independent outlets from that menu and, along with the TikTok and Free Press purchases, creates a seamless bridge between the right's online and broadcast messaging platforms.

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Judah Grunstein @judah-grunstein.bsky.social · 4d

In coming full circle, though, Trump is also copying a page from Orban's media playbook in Hungary. As @zecsaky.bsky.social explained here, in addition to the right-wing outlets they already owned, Orban's pals bought up opposition outlets and turned them into regime mouthpieces.

(Gift link.)

How Orban Redrew Hungary’s Media Map to Solidify His Power

Editor’s note: The following article is one of 30 that we’ve selected from our archives to celebrate World Politics Review’s 15th anniversary. You can find the full collection here. On a Saturday morn...

www.worldpoliticsreview.com

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Lili Bayer @liliebayer.bsky.social · 8d

I’ve been travelling in Ukraine with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who visited minority communities in Uzhhorod as Hungary continues blocking progress on Kyiv’s accession bid.

www.reuters.com/world/europe...

EU on charm offensive in Ukraine as Hungary blocks Kyiv's accession

Ukraine wants to accelerate work on joining the 27-member bloc.

www.reuters.com

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 8d

This is not a bad workaround on enlargement. Starting the technical work could create a sense of movement and in any case, Ukraine could be more ready when the time comes to open & close chapters in one go. Many caveats but to me it seems the best in the circumstances. www.ft.com/content/3642...

EU moves to advance Ukraine’s accession by sidestepping Hungary

Brussels advises Kyiv to advance technical work despite Budapest holding up talks

www.ft.com

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Alex Dukalskis @alexdukalskis.bsky.social · 23d

Author copies for

Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics

by me & @cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social arrived today!

If you re-post this by Sept 30 we'll put you in a drawing & send the winner a free signed copy anywhere they happen to be on the planet.

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · Sep 2

The next listen cued up on my list!

Review of Democracy @revdem2020.bsky.social · Sep 1

🎙️ In this new episode of our special series produced in partnership with @jodemocracy.bsky.social, @stanleysbill.bsky.social and @benstanley.eu discuss the challenges, dilemmas, and paradoxes of liberalism after illiberalism in Poland. 🇵🇱🇵🇱

🎧 Listen to it now:
👉 tinyurl.com/3kaezn2y

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · Sep 1

@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social is looking for a technology fellow to join its research team.

Please see the #job description and details on how to apply below 👇

Deadline for applications 19/09/25

buff.ly/jGjPGCY

Technology fellow 2025

The Centre for European Reform is looking for a technology fellow to join its research team.

buff.ly

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · Aug 27

Incidentally, just started watching it for the first time last week. Great timing.

Jana Puglierin @jpuglierin.bsky.social · Aug 27

Time to re-watch Borgen.

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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · Aug 12

Come work with us! Superb opportunity to think and write about tech policy at a time when good analysis is perhaps more important than ever 👇

Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · Aug 12

@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social is looking for a technology fellow to join its research team.

Please see the #job description and details on how to apply below 👇

Deadline for applications 19/09/25
buff.ly/jGjPGCY

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Jakub Jaraczewski @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social · Jul 25

🇵🇱⚖️Poland has a new Minister of Justice, a very … colourful figure that heralds a new chapter in the Polish rule of law saga. Waldemar Żurek - a veteran judge and outspoken critic of the PiS government, harassed and intimidated, and likely tapped to bring about retribution against "Bad Guys". 1/

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · Jul 23

🎙️ New #CERpodcast: @zecsaky.bsky.social spoke with
@zach-meyers.bsky.social on Trump’s proposed tariffs on the EU and how to approach digital policy in the talks.🎙️

Listen here: buff.ly/vxMlg55

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · Jul 18

The US president is pushing Europe to drop aspects of its digital rules. Europe is right to hold firm: there is little sign that digital policies are a priority for Trump.

🆕 @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @zach-meyers.bsky.social, @cerrethinktank.bsky.social

Read here: buff.ly/zxuDYFS

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Reposted by Zselyke Csaky

Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · Jul 17

Coal-fired power plants remain the main generators of electricity in much of the Western Balkans.

New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @elisabettaco.bsky.social

Read here: buff.ly/pnzWUnR

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