EU

There’s Budapest and there’s Hungary. Ákos and Adam both moved to the capital after growing up in rural, conservative Hungary. Known as an attractive and liberal city, Budapest stands in stark contrast to the nationalist policies of the country’s government. These two young Hungarians told us what it means to be 20 years old and living under this authoritarian government.

Talking Europe hosts Italian former prime minister Enrico Letta, who is now president of the Jacques Delors Institute. Letta has been tasked by the European institutions to produce a report on the future of the EU single market, which is due to be discussed by the bloc’s leaders next spring. He argues that the single market is under pressure from inside and outside, and that common solutions need to be found. He also calls for a “tailor-made” Stability and Growth Pact to take account of nuances between EU member states, as well as the impact of the crises that the EU has faced in the last three years.

In this debate we focus on the recent election results in Poland and Slovakia, and discuss what they mean for Europe. Liberals across the continent are cheering after Polish opposition parties won enough seats to form a majority, potentially ending eight years of rule by the conservative Law and Justice party. Meanwhile nationalists in Europe have applauded the return to power of Robert Fico in Slovakia. The populist prime minister has struck an agreement with two other parties; a coalition that could set a different tone in relations with Brussels, as well as on key issues such as Ukraine and migration.

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