Zselyke Csaky
@zecsaky.bsky.social
Senior research fellow CER @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social. Mostly EU stuff, sprinkled with some democracy & Central Europe. Past lives Freedom House, EUI, Bloomberg.
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
This piece by @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social is very good and well worth your time. Building on the brilliant work by Ruth Wodak and with important insights from @timbale.bsky.social
The rise of vice-signalling: how hatred poisoned politics
Over the last 10 years, the terms of political debate have changed completely – and week by week they seem to get worse
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:22 PM
This piece by @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social is very good and well worth your time. Building on the brilliant work by Ruth Wodak and with important insights from @timbale.bsky.social
When you read a sentence three times and still aren't sure what it says... you realize it must be about the Polish rule of law saga. It never ends!
🇵🇱⚖️I promised a banger on the rule-of-law crisis in Poland, so... here it is. A group of PiS MPs have lodged a case with the Constitutional Tribunal, asking it to find the rules of electing the judges of the same Tribunal, introduced in 2016 by a PiS majority, to be unconstitutional. 1/
February 11, 2026 at 3:25 PM
When you read a sentence three times and still aren't sure what it says... you realize it must be about the Polish rule of law saga. It never ends!
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
Yes, you read that right. What's the context? The ruling majority, after deliberating for 2 years, has set out to finally start filling the increasingly vacant seats at the Tribunal. Apparently, PiS wants to stop that dead in its tracks and, to do so, has set out to discard its own legislation. 2/
February 11, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Yes, you read that right. What's the context? The ruling majority, after deliberating for 2 years, has set out to finally start filling the increasingly vacant seats at the Tribunal. Apparently, PiS wants to stop that dead in its tracks and, to do so, has set out to discard its own legislation. 2/
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
Applications are now open for the 13th Clara Marina O’Donnell fellowship, full details below.
Start date: October 2026 for six months
Pay: London Living Wage
Applications in by: 09/04/26
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social @brookings.edu @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
buff.ly/3vV64SZ
Start date: October 2026 for six months
Pay: London Living Wage
Applications in by: 09/04/26
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social @brookings.edu @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
buff.ly/3vV64SZ
February 11, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Applications are now open for the 13th Clara Marina O’Donnell fellowship, full details below.
Start date: October 2026 for six months
Pay: London Living Wage
Applications in by: 09/04/26
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social @brookings.edu @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
buff.ly/3vV64SZ
Start date: October 2026 for six months
Pay: London Living Wage
Applications in by: 09/04/26
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social @brookings.edu @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
buff.ly/3vV64SZ
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
TLDR: are those saying Tisza would be Fidesz lite correct? Yes and no. Based on its program, it’s shaping up to be a right-wing govt with somewhat sovereigntist undertones. But its commitment to norms and membership in the EU & NATO would clearly distinguish it from Fidesz.
February 10, 2026 at 12:35 PM
TLDR: are those saying Tisza would be Fidesz lite correct? Yes and no. Based on its program, it’s shaping up to be a right-wing govt with somewhat sovereigntist undertones. But its commitment to norms and membership in the EU & NATO would clearly distinguish it from Fidesz.
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
With Hungary’s elections only 2 months away, let’s look at what the opposition promises when it comes to the EU, rule of law & Hungary’s alliances. Media coverage highlighted euro adoption and independence from RU energy by 2035 but there's much more in the program
www.reuters.com/business/hun...
www.reuters.com/business/hun...
Hungary's opposition Tisza promises wealth tax, euro adoption in election programme
Hungary's opposition Tisza party plans to introduce a wealth tax for the rich, adopt the euro currency and firmly anchor Hungary in the European Union and NATO, its 240-page election programme publish...
www.reuters.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:29 PM
With Hungary’s elections only 2 months away, let’s look at what the opposition promises when it comes to the EU, rule of law & Hungary’s alliances. Media coverage highlighted euro adoption and independence from RU energy by 2035 but there's much more in the program
www.reuters.com/business/hun...
www.reuters.com/business/hun...
Many asked whether MCC is taken seriously in Brussels. I thought already at the time that that's not the right question. We know full well from other examples that sometimes you just have to create enough noise to have impact.
US Republicans have been falsely claiming election interference by the European Commission using the DSA, for example in Romania.
Now the Hungarian think tank MCC, with ties to Orbán, has jumped on the trend. An attempt to delegitimise the DSA framework and, potentially, the election results.
Now the Hungarian think tank MCC, with ties to Orbán, has jumped on the trend. An attempt to delegitimise the DSA framework and, potentially, the election results.
February 11, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Many asked whether MCC is taken seriously in Brussels. I thought already at the time that that's not the right question. We know full well from other examples that sometimes you just have to create enough noise to have impact.
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
EU Leaders meet tomorrow to discuss measures to lift Europe's anaemic growth rate. But the summit risks turning into a nothing burger.
EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report
New oped.
1/
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report
New oped.
1/
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
www.politico.eu
February 11, 2026 at 9:34 AM
EU Leaders meet tomorrow to discuss measures to lift Europe's anaemic growth rate. But the summit risks turning into a nothing burger.
EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report
New oped.
1/
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report
New oped.
1/
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
Trump hasn’t been the boon to Orban that many expected,” says @zecsaky.bsky.social of @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social on the @242news.bsky.social podcast.
buff.ly/fSOoABM
buff.ly/fSOoABM
“Trump hasn't been the boon to Orbán that many expected”
Zselyke Csaky on the foreign-policy impact of Hungary's election
twentyfourtwo.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Trump hasn’t been the boon to Orban that many expected,” says @zecsaky.bsky.social of @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social on the @242news.bsky.social podcast.
buff.ly/fSOoABM
buff.ly/fSOoABM
Trump hasn’t exactly delivered for Hungary. It's a different question whether he will deliver for Orban though.
Marco Rubio will visit Hungary and Slovakia in the coming days, as the U.S. secretary of state tours key American allies in Central Europe after attending the Munich Security Conference.
Rubio to visit Hungary as it speeds toward closely fought election
The top U.S. diplomat’s visit to Budapest has added significance with populist-nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán struggling in pre-election polls.
www.politico.eu
February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Trump hasn’t exactly delivered for Hungary. It's a different question whether he will deliver for Orban though.
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
An overlooked but important institutional change - @kajakallas.bsky.social is now reguarly calling de facto Defence Councils with the national defence ministers.
From its past, the EU does not have a normal Defence Council, as Foreign Ministers used to steer the Common Security and Defence policy.
From its past, the EU does not have a normal Defence Council, as Foreign Ministers used to steer the Common Security and Defence policy.
Defence ministers will meet in Brussels on 11 February to discuss EU support to Ukraine, with a focus on defence innovation. Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, will take part in the meeting.
Read the agenda highlights: link.europa.eu/hpMqKw
Read the agenda highlights: link.europa.eu/hpMqKw
February 10, 2026 at 12:20 PM
An overlooked but important institutional change - @kajakallas.bsky.social is now reguarly calling de facto Defence Councils with the national defence ministers.
From its past, the EU does not have a normal Defence Council, as Foreign Ministers used to steer the Common Security and Defence policy.
From its past, the EU does not have a normal Defence Council, as Foreign Ministers used to steer the Common Security and Defence policy.
With Hungary’s elections only 2 months away, let’s look at what the opposition promises when it comes to the EU, rule of law & Hungary’s alliances. Media coverage highlighted euro adoption and independence from RU energy by 2035 but there's much more in the program
www.reuters.com/business/hun...
www.reuters.com/business/hun...
Hungary's opposition Tisza promises wealth tax, euro adoption in election programme
Hungary's opposition Tisza party plans to introduce a wealth tax for the rich, adopt the euro currency and firmly anchor Hungary in the European Union and NATO, its 240-page election programme publish...
www.reuters.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:29 PM
With Hungary’s elections only 2 months away, let’s look at what the opposition promises when it comes to the EU, rule of law & Hungary’s alliances. Media coverage highlighted euro adoption and independence from RU energy by 2035 but there's much more in the program
www.reuters.com/business/hun...
www.reuters.com/business/hun...
Likewise, I really enjoyed the conversation. Thanks so much for having me on, @pbergsen.bsky.social and Tim!
Enjoyed discussing the European implications of the Hungarian election with @zecsaky.bsky.social and her explaining to me why in several cases I don't quite get it
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
“Trump hasn't been the boon to Orbán that many expected”
Zselyke Csaky on the foreign-policy impact of Hungary's election
twentyfourtwo.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Likewise, I really enjoyed the conversation. Thanks so much for having me on, @pbergsen.bsky.social and Tim!
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
Enjoyed discussing the European implications of the Hungarian election with @zecsaky.bsky.social and her explaining to me why in several cases I don't quite get it
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
“Trump hasn't been the boon to Orbán that many expected”
Zselyke Csaky on the foreign-policy impact of Hungary's election
twentyfourtwo.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Enjoyed discussing the European implications of the Hungarian election with @zecsaky.bsky.social and her explaining to me why in several cases I don't quite get it
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
Ah, it’s not the Member States who have spent the last few decades blocking all meaningful progress on a range of reforms who need to get serious, but the Commission, which doesn’t even have a vote on these issues. Right.
EU countries are piling pressure on the European Commission to get serious about turning around the bloc’s sluggish economy, amid fears it could be left at the mercy of other big players like the U.S. and China.
Brussels Playbook has more 👇
Brussels Playbook has more 👇
Time to grow up
Presented by European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion By GABRIEL GAVIN PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @gerardofortuna @NicholasVinocur |…
www.politico.eu
February 9, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Ah, it’s not the Member States who have spent the last few decades blocking all meaningful progress on a range of reforms who need to get serious, but the Commission, which doesn’t even have a vote on these issues. Right.
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
🔊New Podcast out! “Trump hasn't been the boon to Orbán that many expected”
@zecsaky.bsky.social from @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social on the European impact of Hungary's election on the Twenty-Four Two podcast with @pbergsen.bsky.social and Tim G. Jones.
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
@zecsaky.bsky.social from @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social on the European impact of Hungary's election on the Twenty-Four Two podcast with @pbergsen.bsky.social and Tim G. Jones.
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
February 8, 2026 at 9:53 AM
🔊New Podcast out! “Trump hasn't been the boon to Orbán that many expected”
@zecsaky.bsky.social from @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social on the European impact of Hungary's election on the Twenty-Four Two podcast with @pbergsen.bsky.social and Tim G. Jones.
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
@zecsaky.bsky.social from @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social on the European impact of Hungary's election on the Twenty-Four Two podcast with @pbergsen.bsky.social and Tim G. Jones.
twentyfourtwo.substack.com/p/trump-hasn...
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
This seems a classic example of not understanding that newspapers - either physical paper or online sub - are a bundled product.
Losing sports-movtivated readers will cut views for other parts of the Post.
A mistake made at The Telegraph, Gazeta Wyborcza and the British railways under Beeching.
Losing sports-movtivated readers will cut views for other parts of the Post.
A mistake made at The Telegraph, Gazeta Wyborcza and the British railways under Beeching.
I can, sadly, understand a business case for the Washington Post dropping its Metro, World, and Sports coverage and doubling down on political and regulatory journalism. Can’t understand what was more important for Will Lewis to do today than attend that meeting, though. Just POS leadership.
February 5, 2026 at 7:12 AM
This seems a classic example of not understanding that newspapers - either physical paper or online sub - are a bundled product.
Losing sports-movtivated readers will cut views for other parts of the Post.
A mistake made at The Telegraph, Gazeta Wyborcza and the British railways under Beeching.
Losing sports-movtivated readers will cut views for other parts of the Post.
A mistake made at The Telegraph, Gazeta Wyborcza and the British railways under Beeching.
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
🇭🇺⚖️ Our court case against X attracted the most predictable attention possible - of the Hungarian Sovereignty Protection Office, the institution of Hungarian authorities entrusted with "defending Hungarian state", but if you ask me, it's actually about going after NGOs critical of Orban. 1/
February 4, 2026 at 9:39 AM
🇭🇺⚖️ Our court case against X attracted the most predictable attention possible - of the Hungarian Sovereignty Protection Office, the institution of Hungarian authorities entrusted with "defending Hungarian state", but if you ask me, it's actually about going after NGOs critical of Orban. 1/
Your helpful reminder from Jakub on why democratic restoration is such a can of worms.
🇵🇱⚖️As mentioned earlier, this week I am looking into judges and politics in CEE. Where is Poland right now with the intersection of the judiciary and politics? Well, not in a great place. Let's start with the "good guys", the government and its allies. 1/
January 29, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Your helpful reminder from Jakub on why democratic restoration is such a can of worms.
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
The stakes of the election could not be higher: if Orbán wins, #Hungary will continue its slide into autocracy domestically and will keep blocking joint action at the EU level. 🇭🇺 🇪🇺
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
January 28, 2026 at 11:01 AM
The stakes of the election could not be higher: if Orbán wins, #Hungary will continue its slide into autocracy domestically and will keep blocking joint action at the EU level. 🇭🇺 🇪🇺
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
🇸🇰⚖️ Eight years will pass in February since the contract killing of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in Slovakia. The trial of the main actors in the case – Marian Kočner and his former informant Alena Zsuzsová – will begin again, for the third time. 1/
Na Špecializovanom trestnom súde v Pezinku sa začal proces v kauze vraždy novinára Jána Kuciaka a jeho snúbenice Martiny Kušnírovrj
Na Špecializovanom trestnom súde v Pezinku sa začal proces v kauze vraždy novinára Jána Kuciaka a jeho snúbenice Martiny Kušnírovrj
Na Špecializovanom trestnom súde v Pezinku sa začal proces v kauze vraždy novinára Jána Kuciaka a jeho snúbenice Martiny Kušnírovrj. Prítomný je hlavný obžalovaný Kočner, aj Zsuzsová. Tiež aj Dušan Kracina a Marko Dragic.
www.sme.sk
January 26, 2026 at 11:41 AM
🇸🇰⚖️ Eight years will pass in February since the contract killing of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in Slovakia. The trial of the main actors in the case – Marian Kočner and his former informant Alena Zsuzsová – will begin again, for the third time. 1/
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
Great to see @nateschenkkan.bsky.social presenting our report “Perpetrators & methods of transnational repression and possible counter strategies” (co-authored w/ @emiledirks.bsky.social @zecsaky.bsky.social & me) in the @afet.europarl.europa.eu
Full report: www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...
Full report: www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...
January 28, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Great to see @nateschenkkan.bsky.social presenting our report “Perpetrators & methods of transnational repression and possible counter strategies” (co-authored w/ @emiledirks.bsky.social @zecsaky.bsky.social & me) in the @afet.europarl.europa.eu
Full report: www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...
Full report: www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
#Hungary’s elections matter for the EU as a whole. But the opposition’s path is fraught with obstacles, from a lopsided electoral system to the extraordinary difficulty of restoring democracy even if they win. 🇭🇺 🇪🇺
New insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
New insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
January 26, 2026 at 12:02 PM
#Hungary’s elections matter for the EU as a whole. But the opposition’s path is fraught with obstacles, from a lopsided electoral system to the extraordinary difficulty of restoring democracy even if they win. 🇭🇺 🇪🇺
New insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
New insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
Reposted by Zselyke Csaky
It was a privilege contributing to this report on transnational repression in the EU. I learned a great deal working with @nateschenkkan.bsky.social, @zecsaky.bsky.social, & @alexdukalskis.bsky.social. A special thank you to the victims of TNR who shared their experiences & expertise with us.
🚨 New report alert! 🚨
Our new study for the European Parliament on transnational repression in the EU is live!
Co-authored with @zecsaky.bsky.social, @emiledirks.bsky.social, and @alexdukalskis.bsky.social: a great team to work with.
Our new study for the European Parliament on transnational repression in the EU is live!
Co-authored with @zecsaky.bsky.social, @emiledirks.bsky.social, and @alexdukalskis.bsky.social: a great team to work with.
www.europarl.europa.eu
January 23, 2026 at 3:19 PM
It was a privilege contributing to this report on transnational repression in the EU. I learned a great deal working with @nateschenkkan.bsky.social, @zecsaky.bsky.social, & @alexdukalskis.bsky.social. A special thank you to the victims of TNR who shared their experiences & expertise with us.