Daniel Hegedus
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danielhegedus.bsky.social
Daniel Hegedus
@danielhegedus.bsky.social
International Relations, European Union & Democracy. Thinker & Doer.
Deputy Director at @iep-berlin.de.
Views are personal. Metal & Bluegrass fan.
https://ballhausplatz.substack.com/
Pinned
Some thoughts before today's informal EUCO.
THREAD 1/3

Rather than remaining merely reactive, the EU should approach the Greenland crisis within NATO in a way that strengthens its own geopolitical posture, improves Arctic security, and ...
Some thoughts before today's informal EUCO.
THREAD 1/3

Rather than remaining merely reactive, the EU should approach the Greenland crisis within NATO in a way that strengthens its own geopolitical posture, improves Arctic security, and ...
January 22, 2026 at 9:16 AM
I’m excited to share that from February 1 I’ll be joining the Institute für Europäische Politik @iep-berlin.de as its new Deputy Director.
I’m very much looking forward to working with the fantastic IEP team and to engaging closely with partners in the Berlin bubble, across Europe, and beyond.
January 21, 2026 at 10:28 AM
📢How to Better Protect and Support Civil Society in the EU?

In frame of the @authlibeu.bsky.social project, I put pen to paper to explore how the EU should address the complex threat landscape facing European civil society,

THREAD 1/7
www.authlib.eu/policy-paper...

@gmfus.bsky.social
Daniel Hegedüs - How to Better Protect and Support Civil Society in the EU?
📖 AUTHLIB Policy Paper: Daniel Hegedüs (GMF) analyzes the illiberal challenge to civil society and proposes answers to protect the civil sector in the EU.
www.authlib.eu
January 20, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
📢 How do illiberal actors shrink democratic space in the EU—and what can be done?
Join our @authlibeu.bsky.social panel discussion on media freedom, civil society & gender equality with Mila Moshelova, Konrad Bleyer-Simon & Zsuzsanna Vegh

📅 Jan 20, 2026 15:00 CET
RSVP www.authlib.eu/shrinking-sp...
European Responses to the Shrinking Spaces of Democracy
How to counter illiberal attacks on civil society, media and human rights? Join our discussion on January 20 (Tuesday) at 3:00 p.m. CET.
www.authlib.eu
January 19, 2026 at 9:48 AM
📢 How do illiberal actors shrink democratic space in the EU—and what can be done?
Join our @authlibeu.bsky.social panel discussion on media freedom, civil society & gender equality with Mila Moshelova, Konrad Bleyer-Simon & Zsuzsanna Vegh

📅 Jan 20, 2026 15:00 CET
RSVP www.authlib.eu/shrinking-sp...
European Responses to the Shrinking Spaces of Democracy
How to counter illiberal attacks on civil society, media and human rights? Join our discussion on January 20 (Tuesday) at 3:00 p.m. CET.
www.authlib.eu
January 19, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
📢 How do illiberal actors shrink democratic space in the EU—and what can be done?

Join our discussion on media freedom, civil society & gender equality with @ksimon.bsky.social @danielhegedus.bsky.social & Mila Moshelova

🗓️ Jan 20, 2026 | 🕒 15:00 CET
👉 Register: www.authlib.eu/shrinking-sp...
European Responses to the Shrinking Spaces of Democracy
How to counter illiberal attacks on civil society, media and human rights? Join our discussion on January 20 (Tuesday) at 3:00 p.m. CET.
www.authlib.eu
January 16, 2026 at 11:52 AM
It was a great pleasure to speak at the “Mapping the Illiberal Challenge” closing conference of @authlibeu.bsky.social at the CEU.
Presenting the key arguments and recommendations of my upcoming policy paper, “How to Better Protect and Support Civil Society in the EU?”, I argued for:
THREAD 1/5
January 12, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
⚠️ @danielhegedus.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social discussed the illiberal challenge to democratic civil society in Europe and put forward elaborate EU-level recommendations to protect and strengthen the sector.
Stay tunedned for the paper!
January 9, 2026 at 12:23 PM
THREAD
I am pleased to share that I started my personal Substack "Ballhausplatz".
Expect a regular dose of EU integration, geopolitics and Transatlantic affairs, ironclad commitment to liberal democracy mixed with provocatively value-agnostic Realpolitik, coming with a Central European flair.
January 8, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
What is Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán willing to do to stay in power? My 🎙️ #podcast, #TheGlobalAgora with
@danielhegedus.bsky.social:
▶️ ko-fi.com/post/What-is...
If you enjoy what I do, please buy me ☕️ coffee. Thank you! #Hungary #politics #Trump #Russia #Ukraine #Putinswar
What is Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán willing to do to stay in power?
Andrej Matisak published a post on Ko-fi
ko-fi.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
💡New on the AUTHLIB Blog

Europe is torn between shock, indignation, and complacency regarding the US National Security Strategy, writes @danielhegedus.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social. Instead, it should prepare to counter the threats it may pose to the EU.

💭 Read now: www.authlib.eu/the-blueprin...
The Blueprint to Kill the EU: Complacency About the Trump-Threat to Europe Would Be Fatal
Dimitar Keranov (GMF) explains how the rise of the far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture threaten Bulgaria’s democratic path.
www.authlib.eu
December 23, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
As Christmas approaches, I put pen to paper and reflected on what the new U.S. #NationalSecurityStrategy means for the European Union.
The result is freshly published on the AUTHLIB Blog. Ever looked for a fitting read to accompany Jingle Bells? Look no further.
www.authlib.eu/the-blueprin...
The Blueprint to Kill the EU: Complacency About the Trump-Threat to Europe Would Be Fatal
Dimitar Keranov (GMF) explains how the rise of the far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture threaten Bulgaria’s democratic path.
www.authlib.eu
December 18, 2025 at 1:08 PM
As Christmas approaches, I put pen to paper and reflected on what the new U.S. #NationalSecurityStrategy means for the European Union.
The result is freshly published on the AUTHLIB Blog. Ever looked for a fitting read to accompany Jingle Bells? Look no further.
www.authlib.eu/the-blueprin...
The Blueprint to Kill the EU: Complacency About the Trump-Threat to Europe Would Be Fatal
Dimitar Keranov (GMF) explains how the rise of the far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture threaten Bulgaria’s democratic path.
www.authlib.eu
December 18, 2025 at 1:08 PM
THREAD 1/3
My interview for @deutschewelle.dw.com about the Trump administration's attempt to "pull away Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland from the EU".
www.dw.com/en/will-trum...
www.dw.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Excellent summary of the state of play of Poland's rule of law repair from the great Anna Wojcik @annawojcik.bsky.social 👇
I have summarised the process of rule-of-law repair in Poland in an 18-page report for @gmfus.bsky.social.

I also consider who, in 2026, will more often set the tone for proposals on judicial reform: the cabinet of Donald Tusk or President Karol Nawrocki.
December 10, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I am certainly no regional expert for Africa, but am I the only person caught by surprise by the statement of new 🇺🇸 #SecurityStrategy that #DonaldTrump successfully ended the #waterconflict between #Egypt & #Ethiopia? Just asking.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov
December 6, 2025 at 3:12 PM
It was a true honor to talk to @nytimes.com's @jeannasmialek.bsky.social about the prospects of the EU’s €140 billion loan package for #Ukraine.
I argued that this is a make-or-break moment for Europe and for its relevance on the global stage,

THREAD 1/3
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/w...
Stakes High, Europe Races to Save Its Financing Plan for Ukraine
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:34 AM
A Geopolitical Note on the Margins of the Putin–Witkoff Meeting

THREAD 1/14
December 2, 2025 at 2:21 PM
THREAD 1/6
Obviously, much of this is speculation, but I think #Orbán’s trip to #Moscow today — and his talks with Vladimir #Putin — should be seen primarily through the lens of yesterday’s Orbán–Vučić meeting, not last week’s peace-negotiation rollercoaster.
@politico.eu
November 28, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
PM #Orbán is on his way to Moscow to meet Vladimir #Putin, according to 🇭🇺 GOV media sources.
Without coordinating with allies, Orbán will discuss geopolitics, energy & war related issues with the 🇷🇺president.
A further revelation of his true allegiance...
www.origo.hu/kulpol/2025/...
Orbán Viktor Moszkvába indult, Putyinnal tárgyal - ORIGO
Friss hírek Magyarországról és a nagyvilágból, sport, technika, szórakozás, tudomány, kultúra. Az ORIGO a legfrissebb hazai és nemzetközi hírekkel szolgál olvasói számára.
www.origo.hu
November 28, 2025 at 7:32 AM
PM #Orbán is on his way to Moscow to meet Vladimir #Putin, according to 🇭🇺 GOV media sources.
Without coordinating with allies, Orbán will discuss geopolitics, energy & war related issues with the 🇷🇺president.
A further revelation of his true allegiance...
www.origo.hu/kulpol/2025/...
Orbán Viktor Moszkvába indult, Putyinnal tárgyal - ORIGO
Friss hírek Magyarországról és a nagyvilágból, sport, technika, szórakozás, tudomány, kultúra. Az ORIGO a legfrissebb hazai és nemzetközi hírekkel szolgál olvasói számára.
www.origo.hu
November 28, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Hungarian foreign policy needs to be reimagined.
Check out my new @revdem2020.bsky.social piece outlining the strategic framework for reorienting #Hungary’s #ForeignPolicy after a democratic transition, highlighting the key challenges, trade-offs, and opportunities.
revdem.ceu.edu/2025/11/25/r...
Reimagining Hungary’s Foreign Policy: Challenges and Opportunities for a Future Democratic Government | Review of Democracy
The April 2026 elections can mark the end of Hungary’s 16-year experiment with illiberalism and open a new chapter in its relations with Europe and the wider world. After more than a decade of multive...
revdem.ceu.edu
November 26, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
✍️ In the first op-ed of his new series, @danielhegedus.bsky.social outlines the strategic framework for a reorientation of the foreign policy of a future democratic Hungary, mapping the challenges, trade-offs, and opportunities. 🇭🇺🇭🇺

🧑‍💻 Read it now:
👉 tinyurl.com/cbtcew39
November 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Daniel Hegedus
Nov 26, 3pm CET, @gmfus.bsky.social webinar

As the Hungarian parliamentary election campaign takes off, Zsófia Banuta, @danielhegedus.bsky.social, Péter Krekó, Dániel Róna & I discuss parties' chances, tactics & necessary steps to improve election integrity

Register: www.gmfus.org/event/hungar...
Hungary’s 2026 Elections: The Stakes and Challenges
Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary elections offer the greatest opportunity for a change in the country’s leadership since Prime Minister Viktor Orbán assumed power 16 years ago. His time in office has been...
www.gmfus.org
November 24, 2025 at 10:22 PM