EP Approves Second Von der Leyen Commission with Historically Low Support

With the lowest level of support in the EU’s history, the European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen’s second Commission, set to begin work in December. The largest conservative EP group, Patriots for Europe unanimously voted against the new Commission, stating that it goes against the will of the electorate.

Will Europe and Hungary Stay Competitive?

‘The challenges generated by the demographic change are increasingly urgent. Ageing populations and declining birth rates are putting enhanced pressure on public financing systems and threatening long-term economic sustainability, therefore, the conference aims to explore the economic and social consequences of demographic change and discuss possible solutions.’

Hezbollah fighters carry out a training exercise in southern Lebanon, on 21 May 2023 ahead of 'Liberation Day', the annual celebration of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from South Lebanon on 25 May 2000.

Israel’s Ceasefire with Hezbollah: A Strategic Reset Ahead of the Second Trump Presidency

‘The ceasefire is a development that aligns with the Trump administration’s anticipated foreign policy approach, which is expected to support Israel’s military objectives while facilitating diplomatic resolutions to regional conflicts. The ceasefire may also pave the way for expanding the Abraham Accords, with potential new agreements involving countries like Saudi Arabia.’

A cartoon titled Series Les Gens de Justice representing a lawyer pleading in court sleeping by Honoré Daumier, published in the French illustrated magazine Le Charivari on 15 August 1845.

‘The European Courts have long been the rubber stamp for the Commission’ — An Interview with French Law Professor Gaëtan Cliquennois

‘Indeed, the cases in which the Open Society Foundation litigates, either directly or indirectly through a representative, are the result of a conscious selection: they are chosen according to their expected political and legal impact and only launched in specific countries. This is how the OSF—and the several NGOs it mobilizes—usually bring cases against Central and Eastern European countries, such as Romania, Slovenia, Poland, or Hungary.’

A Slovak family in 1907 in Sátoraljaújhely, Hungary

István Käfer, the Proponent of Hungarian–Slovak Spiritual Reconciliation through the Legacy of St Stephen

‘For István Käfer, one of the elements that has historically united both Slovakia and Hungary is, surprisingly, the language. Bálint Balassi, for instance, a crucial figure in Hungarian renaissance poetry, wrote his works in Hungarian, but he knew Slovak very well, which greatly influenced his thinking and language use. Cardinal Péter Pázmány also had a significant influence on the development of the Slovak language, by not only allowing, but encouraging its use in Catholic prayers.’

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (L) shakes hands with Viktor Orbán in Budapest on 20 November 2024.

Kazakh Leader’s Visit Solidifies Hungary’s Role as Gateway Between Inner Eurasia and the West

On 20 November 2024 Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, was officially welcomed at the Lion Courtyard of the Royal Buda Castle Castle by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This event marked the start of Tokayev’s three-day official visit to Hungary. The Kazakh leader was accompanied by government ministers and representatives of Kazakh businesses, highlighting the significance of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Cooperation and Confrontation: Navigating Tensions in the Indo-Pacific

The Danube Institute organized a prominent conference addressing the geopolitical tensions and opportunities for collaboration in the increasingly significant Indo-Pacific region. During the event experts from nations with interests in the region examined its future prospects through two panel discussions.

By Giuliano Bugiardini - Bridgeman Art Library: Object 827682, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31407241

‘The Pope of Chaos’: The Reign and Legacy of Clement VII

‘For Hungary, Clement’s tenure offered little tangible support during one of its darkest eras, while his broader legacy includes the catastrophic Sack of Rome, the expansion of Protestantism, and the Anglican schism. Today, he is remembered not as a leader who rose to the challenges of his time, but as a figure whose reign epitomized the turbulence and contradictions of the Renaissance papacy.’