Democratic norms are under pressure and Hungary is often cited as a prominent case of democratic backsliding. Will the people give Orban another term?

On April 12, Hungary will hold parliamentary election, an important test of whether the opposition can challenge Viktor Orbán’s long-standing hold on power. The election also raises broader questions about how democratic backsliding can unfold within a member state of the European Union.

This panel discussion will examine what is at stake in the upcoming election, the prospects for the opposition, and key issues such as media control, populism, and potential foreign influence on the electoral process. We will also place Hungary within a wider European context by comparing similar democratic challenges across the region.

Panel:
Raimondas Ibenskas
Professor , UiB

Iver Ørstavik
Senior Advisor, Rafto

Alida Steigler
Doctoral Research Fellow, UiO

Irina Anisimova
Guest Researcher, UiB

Welcome to breakfast!