Democracy Impacts

Heltai: Hungary’s Move to Leave EPP

March 17, 2021

Péter Heltai editor and podcast host at the Budapest-based Mathias Corvinus Collegium, explores the background and impact of the recent move of Orban to move his party, Fidesz, out of the European People’s Party.
Orbán Leaves the European People’s Party (EPP)

March 08, 2021

Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban left the European People’s Party (EPP) group in the E.U. Parliament, after the center right group approved a rule that would allow them to suspend Orban’s Fidesz party for failure to comply with various E.U. measures.
Germany's AfD Placed under Formal Surveillance

March 08, 2021

Germany’s domestic intelligence service has placed Alternative for Germany (AfD), under formal surveillance, in a move that opens the door for German authorities to use wiretaps and other methods, including informants, to spy on the country’s largest opposition party.
EU Begins Legal Action for Hungary Ignoring ECJ

February 24, 2021

The EU Commission launched legal action over Hungary's failure to implement a judgement from the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which ruled that the Transparency Act adopted in 2017 that restricts foreign-funding of NGOs was against EU rules.
Politico: Georgia’s Political Crisis

February 22, 2021

Georgia is facing a political crisis following an order by a Tbilisi court to arrest opposition leader Nika Melia, which led Prime Minister Gakharia to resign in protest of his party’s support for the decision, warning of a potential dangerous escalation.
French Leaders Back Law to Fight Radical Islam

February 19, 2021

French MPs approved a controversial law against separatism, officially named "reinforcing republican principles », which plans to crack down on online hate speech and foreign funding of religious groups, in particular Muslims and Evangelicals.
French Leaders Declare U.S. « Woke » Movement a Threat

February 16, 2021

The U.S. movements of woke leftism and cancel culture have french Politicians, prominent intellectuals, and academics voicing concerns, warning that American ideas on race, gender, and post-colonialism are undermining French society and are an attack on French heritage.
EU’s Borrell: Corruption Hampers Ukraine’s Reform Process

February 16, 2021

According to a speech of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, the European Union believes that the reform process in Ukraine continues to be hampered by widespread corruption, calling on Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau to be fully independent as well as reassuring the country that they have the EU’s political, technical, and financial support.
Paris Court Finds French State Guilty Over Climate Inaction

February 03, 2021

The Paris administrative court recognized ecological damage linked to climate change and held the French state responsible for failing to fully meet its goals in reducing greenhouse gases after a group of NGOs backed by two million citizens had filed a complaint accusing the French state of failing to act to halt climate change.
EU Gives Poland a Month to Respond to Concerns

February 01, 2021

The European Commission considers Poland in violation of EU law for allowing the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court to make decisions which have a direct impact on judges and the way they do their jobs, warning the country that it must address these long standing concerns within a month or face possible legal action.