Balázs Orbán’s work is a penetrative exegesis of the unique success of Hungarian statecraft in the past decade as well as an astute guide for all nation-states of similar stature. The Hungarian Way of Strategy is a beacon in the fog of our ideology-driven era, meant for those whose understanding of time goes beyond the fleeting moments of the present.
At the opening event of MCC Brussels, Balázs Orbán said: ’As neighbours, we need to talk and listen. This is the only antidote to the spectre of political polarization that haunts politics today.’
POLITICO Brussels has once again revealed its anti-Orbán bias: within a single day, its Poll of Polls went from showing Fidesz narrowly ahead to presenting a sudden 9-point TISZA lead. The shift came after the outlet removed two pollsters whose surveys had placed Viktor Orbán’s party in front.
Elon Musk has publicly humiliated Ursula von der Leyen over the EU’s democratic deficit, replying to her post about the ‘European Democracy Shield’ by asking: ‘If democracy is the foundation of freedom, shouldn’t your position be elected by the people?’ The viral exchange reignited debate over the Commission’s legitimacy and growing centralization of power in Brussels.
‘Spain’s cultural diplomacy in Chengdú and Beijing may win headlines, but its deeper strength lies in its ties to the Ibero-American world.’
The European Commission is considering legal action against Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia for refusing to lift bans on Ukrainian agricultural imports. Beyond its legal implications, such a move could once again unite the Visegrád countries against what they perceive as Brussels’ disregard for farmers’ livelihoods and national economic sovereignty.
A new poll shows Nigel Farage’s Reform UK heading for a landslide victory unprecedented in modern British politics, securing a projected 445 seats in the House of Commons. As disillusionment with Labour and the Conservatives deepens, commentators warn that the two-party system is collapsing.
What could be Europe’s future: a decline, or a new golden age? How imminent is the Russian threat to Europe? How does Sweden view Hungary’s fight for sovereignty? We asked former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt about Europe’s bright or dark future at Brain Bar 2025 in Budapest.
‘Kirk made his name in the very arena where conservative ideas are often least welcome: academia. To many progressive students, his campus events provided their first real exposure to conservative arguments; to right-leaning students, he offered both encouragement and a sense of belonging. Yet Kirk’s reach extended far beyond the lecture hall.’
Brain Bar 2025 returns to Budapest on 18–19 September, promising two days of world-class speakers and bold debates at the House of Music Hungary. From Ben Lamm’s plans to resurrect the dire wolf to Geoffrey West’s theories on universal growth laws and Tibor Kapu’s insights into space, the festival will explore the future of science, society, and humanity.