The plan of the Budapest summit is an unfriendly move by the U.S. that rewards Putin and Orbán while ridiculing the EU. But the EU can do more behind closed doors than merely cross its fingers for an Alaska-like, fruitless summit. My piece for @euobserver.com euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

Holding a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest would be a charade

Vladimir Putin would have to cross the airspace of at least one, if not more, EU and Nato member states to reach Budapest. This would mean that one EU country, under US pressure, would have to breach ...

euobserver.com

📒 New AUTHLIB Working Paper 💡 In "Varieties of Illiberalism" Lauritz Autischer (CEU), Beatrice Bottura (Sciences Po) and Bálint Mikola (CEU Democracy Institute) explore the relationship between illiberal parties' ideological stances and their policy positions.

Lauritz Autischer - Beatrice Bottura - Bálint Mikola: Varieties of Illiberalism

This AUTHLIB paper by Autischer, Bottura and Mikola explores the relationship between the ideological stance of illiberal parties in Europe and their policy positions on a range of policy areas.

authlib.eu

📣 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints 🗓️ October 30, 2025 4:00 – 5:30 PM CET 🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻: buff.ly/Cq4Z8dZ

📣 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: Habits of Democracy: Civic Culture and Civic Education in the Western Balkans October 28, 2025 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET Join the virtual event to learn how democratic participation is taught, experienced, and practiced in the Western Balkans. 🔗 Register: buff.ly/ErSEaVq

email.gmfus.org

Honored to speak at GMF’s event “China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria". We’ll discuss how China's economic footprint intersects with Bulgaria’s political & strategic choices within the EU & transatlantic context. Join us: www.gmfus.org/event/chinas... @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social

China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints

Bulgaria is a potential entry point for Chinese influence in Central and Eastern Europe. Some Bulgarian stakeholders are keen on attracting Chinese investment, but they frequently disregard the associ...

gmfus.org

If you’re interested in how the rise of a far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture are threatening Bulgaria’s democratic path, you can read my latest analysis for @authlibeu.bsky.social: www.authlib.eu/bulgaria-rev... @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social

The Links Between Bulgaria’s Revival Party and United Russia Merit Scrutiny

Dimitar Keranov (GMF) explains how the rise of the far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture threaten Bulgaria’s democratic path.

authlib.eu

It was a real honor and privilege to speak about anti-NGO laws in the European Union at Forum 2000, alongside great colleagues and with @kenlcg.bsky.social as our excellent moderator. THREAD 1/4 @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social @authlibeu.bsky.social @ceudeminst.bsky.social

"As an #EU and #NATO member, #Bulgaria 🇧🇬 must balance economic opportunities with #China 🇨🇳 against risks to national security, Western alliances, the rule of law, and democracy." Read more in my & A. Metodieva's analysis: www.gmfus.org/news/chinas-... @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social

China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints

gmfus.org

📢Výzva pre všetky mimovládne organizácie a občianske iniciatívy na #Slovensku! Prihláste sa do programu #FOREST a posilnite svoju právnu, digitálnu, finančnú a psychickú odolnosť. Čakajú na vás mentoring, školenia a príležitosti na networking! ➡️Info: tinyurl.com/2d5txbx3

📢 Figyelem, magyarországi civil szervezetek és informális csoportok! Jelentkezzetek most a #FOREST programra, hogy fejlesszétek jogi, digitális, pénzügyi és mentális ellenállóképességeteket. Mentorálás, képzések és kapcsolatépítési lehetőségek várnak rátok! ℹ️Jelentkezési határidő: 2025. október 20.

We had an extremely informative and in-depth election readout with Andrea Michalcová, @petraguasti.bsky.social & Vít Dostál about the domestic and EU & foreign policy implications of the 🇨🇿 elections. Key takeaway & video in THREAD @gmfus.bsky.social @authlibeu.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social

How do anti-NGO laws impact human rights & democracy in Central Europe? Check out my written testimony to the @tlhumanrights.bsky.social on the topic, now published by @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social @authlibeu.bsky.social 👉 gmfus.org/news/anti-fo...

Anti-Foreign NGO Laws: A Tool to Repress Civil Society

Transatlantic Trusts Central Europe Regional Director Daniel Hegedüs appeared before the US House of Representatives’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission to give testimony for a hearing on laws outside...

gmfus.org

📢Calling all CSOs & civic groups in #Hungary & #Slovakia! ❗️Apply until Oct 20, 2025 for #FOREST to boost your legal, digital, financial & psychological resilience. Mentoring, trainings & networking opportunities await! ⬇️Info⬇️ @gmfus.bsky.social

FOREST

Fostering CSOs’ Resilience to Shrinking Spaces and Strengthening their Capacities through Individual Mentoring and Value Mainstreaming in Hungary and Slovakia Fostering CSOs’ Resilience to Shrinking S...

gmfus.org

📢 Figyelem, magyarországi civil szervezetek és informális csoportok! Jelentkezzetek most a #FOREST programra, hogy fejlesszétek jogi, digitális, pénzügyi és mentális ellenállóképességeteket. Mentorálás, képzések és kapcsolatépítési lehetőségek várnak rátok! ℹ️Jelentkezési határidő: 2025. október 20.

📢Výzva pre všetky mimovládne organizácie a občianske iniciatívy na #Slovensku! Prihláste sa do programu #FOREST a posilnite svoju právnu, digitálnu, finančnú a psychickú odolnosť. Čakajú na vás mentoring, školenia a príležitosti na networking! ➡️Info: tinyurl.com/2d5txbx3

🇪🇺 This week: tune into an conversation on the current state of the EU–civil society dialogue in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, and how the role of CSOs in shaping reforms throughout the accession process can be strengthened. Register now:

Unlocking Influence: Improving the EU-Civil Society Dialogue in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine

As Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine move forward on their paths toward EU accession, their civil societies are expected to play a critical role in monitoring reforms, promoting transparency, and…

gmfus.org

Please join our hearing on anti-NGO laws and their human rights implications at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress. 📆September 9, 2:00 pm EDT / 8:00 pm CET For the live webcast, follow the link below 👇 humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications

Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.

humanrightscommission.house.gov

What change might the upcoming election bring to #Czech foreign policy? Explore & discuss the potential scenarios with the AMO_cz's great @pavlinajan.bsky.social & Vít Dostál next Thursday in Berlin at @gmfus.bsky.social. 🗓️September 4, 1:00 pm CET RSVP 👉 www.gmfus.org/event/lines-...

Lines of (Re)Alignment: Czech Foreign Policy After the 2025 Elections

Amid the profound international transformations shaping Europe’s security, stability, and competitiveness, Czechia’s parliamentary elections on October 3–4 seem poised to bring a change in government ...

gmfus.org

Penned together with the great @gbuldioski.bsky.social, our piece argues that even democratic societies need clear concepts of adversaries—and if democratic centrists don’t define them, the radical right and other opponents of democracy will. www.gmfus.org/news/it-or-n... @gmfus.bsky.social

Like It or Not, Democratic Societies Need Clearly Defined Adversaries

gmfus.org

🇧🇬🇨🇳 Great and comprehensive overview of #China–#Bulgaria relations and the PRC’s influence in Bulgaria by my always sharp colleagues Asya Metodieva and @dimker.bsky.social . Highly recommended reading 👇 www.gmfus.org/news/chinas-... @gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social

China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints

gmfus.org

JOIN TOMORROW! 🤝What role for Central Europe in Ukraine's reconstruction? 📌 July 15|4.00 p.m. CET|Online #ReThinkCEE fellow Dominik Istrate, Bogdan Zawadewicz (Polish Development Bank), Ievgeniia Bodnya & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social explore CE's recovery efforts in Ukraine. @gmfus.bsky.social

Central Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Reconstruction

More than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces an immense recovery and reconstruction challenge—regardless of when or how the war ends. With over 43,000 civilian lives lost an...

gmfus.org

The rise of anti-gender movements threaten democratic values in the Western Balkans. Watch #ReThinkCEE fellow Angel Dimitrievski,Adriana Zaharijevic(Uni Belgrade), Irena Cvetkovic(Coalition Margins) & @danielhegedus.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social discuss their impact. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVtx...

Battling the Backlash: The Future of Gender Equality in the Western Balkans

YouTube video by The German Marshall Fund of the United States

youtube.com

🤝Local collaboration among authorities & civil society is crucial for Ukraine's future. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ODw... @gmfus.bsky.social

Strengthening Civil Society-Local Governemnt Collaboration for Recovery in Ukraine

YouTube video by The German Marshall Fund of the United States

youtube.com

🤝What role for Central Europe in Ukraine's reconstruction? 📌 July 15|4.00 p.m. CET|Online #ReThinkCEE fellow Dominik Istrate, Bogdan Zawadewicz (Polish Development Bank), Ievgeniia Bodnya & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social explore CE's recovery efforts: www.gmfus.org/event/centra... @gmfus.bsky.social

Central Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Reconstruction

More than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces an immense recovery and reconstruction challenge—regardless of when or how the war ends. With over 43,000 civilian lives lost an...

gmfus.org

Anti-gender movements are gaining momentum across Western societies, including in the Western Balkans. Join our great #ReThinkCEE fellow Angel Dimitrievski, Adriana Zaharijevic, Irena Cvetkovic & yours truly to discuss the impact. 📅June 26, 3:00 pm CET RSVP⤵️ www.gmfus.org/event/battli...

Battling the Backlash: The Future of Gender Equality in the Western Balkans

Anti-gender movements across the Western Balkans have gained momentum, challenging hard-won human rights and undermining fragile democratic norms. These movements, often backed by religious and far-ri...

gmfus.org

🇵🇱 "Nawrocki presidency will likely focus on undermining and discrediting Tusk’s government and assisting PiS in winning the next parliamentary elections," writes Anna Wojcik. Read her full analysis of Poland's presidential election:

In Uncertain Waters: The Restoration of the Rule of Law in Poland

The victory of Karol Nawrocki, backed by the Law and Justice party (PiS), in the presidential election is set to alter the trajectory of one of the central projects of the coalition government led by…

gmfus.org

Bulgaria's corruption problem is Washington's too. If you would like to learn why that is, read my article here: www.gmfus.org/news/bulgari... @gmfus.bsky.social

Bulgaria’s Corruption Problem Is Washington’s Too

gmfus.org

🚀 Are you ready to embark on a unique and immersive journey? 🌎 The Marshall Memorial Fellowship program offers a unique chance for mid-career transatlantic leaders to enhance their understanding and foster collaboration between the United States and Europe.

🚫 Anti-gender movements (movements opposing what they call “gender ideology” or “gender theory”) across the Western Balkans have gained momentum, challenging hard-won human rights protections & undermining fragile democratic norms, writes fellow Angel Dimitrievski: www.gmfus.org/news/anti-ge...

The Anti-Gender Movement as a Threat to Democracy in the Western Balkans

Over the past several years, the Western Balkans witnessed the rise of anti-gender movements that challenge fundamental human rights and threaten the region’s fragile democratic structures.…

gmfus.org

💰 Direct EU funding for Ukrainian local and regional authorities is imperative, argues GMF ‪@engagingce.bsky.social‬ fellow Khrystyna Kvartsiana, ahead of next month's Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. Read her analysis of how the allies should support Ukraine's "local heroes":

Ukraine’s Local Actors: The Unspoken Heroes

As Ukraine advances on its path toward EU integration, anticipation is building ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, a key international political gathering where government…

gmfus.org