Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, faces a formidable challenge as he navigates a complex situation he created. His reliance on European funds to sustain his political influence clashes with the EU's insistence on reforms that pose a direct threat to his government's stability. Compounding this, Orban's pro-Russian stances have eroded trust among his Western partners.

The recent removal of Law and Justice from power in Poland further complicates Orban's situation. Zsuzsanna Vegh, a visiting fellow at the German Marshall Fund, describes  the evolving situation. Hungary's government increasingly resorts to illiberal and authoritarian methods to consolidate power. This includes the potential  cracking down on civil society organizations and manipulating public opinion through media control.

A project Protecting European Values. The podcast was co-funded by the European Commission.