EU–Hungary rule of law clashes intensify: Kremlin-inspired crackdown on media, NGOs, and opposition parties

Analysis

With less than a year to go until the next Hungarian parliamentary elections, Viktor Orbán’s Government appears to have a weak hand in its communications battles with its new political opponent, Péter Magyar’s Tisza party. To cover up the challenges it faces, the administration has turned up the heat under the independent media, NGOs, and opposition parties, playing from the same old authoritarian playbook of threatening a free civil society.

Kata Moravecz, György Folk
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Power struggle in Warsaw – Poland faces second decisive election

A campaign bus belonging to Rafal Trzaskowski, mayor of Warsaw and candidate for the Civic Platform (PO) party in the upcoming presidential elections, drives away after a campaign event in Krakow, Poland, on 13 May 2025.
Analysis

Following the change of government in 2023, Poland once again faces a historic crossroads. An emotionally charged election campaign reflects deep social divisions – and the struggle for the country's future.

Joanna Maria Stolarek
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Following the change of government in 2023, Poland once again faces a historic crossroads. An emotionally charged election campaign reflects deep social divisions – and the struggle for the country's future.
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Two Proposals to Re-Establish the Rule of Law

Two Proposals to Re-Establish the Rule of Law
Analysis

Since the Law and Justice (PiS)-led government began restructuring Poland’s judiciary in 2015, legal certainty has steadily declined. Now, the Codification Committee has put forward two proposals to restore the rule of law in Poland: one advocating for a swift, decisive approach, while the other follows a slower, more gradual path. Both have sparked a controversial debate about how to restore the rule of law.

Paul Naumann, Ewelina Lipska
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Politics of protest. Understanding political protest in Central Europe

The project organized in cooperation with Collegium Civitas examines recent popular protest movements in Central European countries. Six expert seminars serve to examine recent protests in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Invited country experts will discuss the political background, sociological causes and motivations of protests as well as organizational forms of current mobilizations. The case studies will help us to develop a common analytical framework for understanding political protest in the region. Project description.

Publications

Defending Equality in an Age of Democratic Decline

Report
This report by Forbidden Colours argues that the EU’s Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 was designed for a political moment that has since shifted dramatically. Although it secured important legal advances, it failed to anticipate the rise of coordinated anti-rights movements challenging fundamental freedoms across Europe. As the EU prepares its 2026–2030 Strategy, a decisive shift is needed: gender equality must be anchored as a core pillar of democratic resilience, security and rule-of-law protection – not treated as a standalone social policy.

Actually European!? 2025

Executive summary
A majority of citizens in Germany have a positive view of the new federal government‘s pledge for a stronger leadership role in the EU, but clearly advocate for doing so in a cooperative manner. These findings come from the latest edition of our long-term study 'Actually European!?' on Germany’s role in the EU.
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raport Domu Ukraińskiego_okładka

We barely have time to celebrate our wins … or to process what we’ve lost

The Ukrainian House report, issued in cooperation with the Open Space Works Ukraine and the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Warsaw highlights how Ukrainian Women-led Organisations (WLOSs) have played a key role in responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Drawing on research in Ukraine and Poland, it explores their grassroots efforts in providing emergency aid, psychosocial support, and long-term solutions.  

Society & Participation

Our intellectual patron, Heinrich Böll, used to say: “Meddling is the only way to stay realistic”. In keeping with this motto, we support different forms of active civic participation in social life and the struggle for a democratic and friendly world. We particularly care for urban movements, digital rights and freedoms, as well as the development of green political power in Poland and the region.

Events

Partners Democracy & Human Rights

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