DeepSummary
The podcast episode discusses Hungary taking over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months. It highlights the controversial slogan "Make Europe Great Again" chosen by the Hungarian government and the concerns across the EU regarding Hungary's undemocratic, authoritarian, and Russia-friendly politics under Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The episode explores Orban's surprise visit to Kyiv, marking his first visit since the start of Russia's war on Ukraine, and the tensions between Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Hungary's stance on the war and support for Ukraine. It also touches on the long-standing strain between Hungary and Brussels due to Hungary's attacks on the rule of law, press freedom, and widespread corruption.
The episode raises questions about how Orban plans to use the presidency to sway the EU's motions his way and the potential impact of Hungary's presidency on the direction and values of the EU, given the surge of the far-right across Europe.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Hungary has taken over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months, with the controversial slogan 'Make Europe Great Again'.
- There are concerns across the EU regarding Hungary's undemocratic, authoritarian, and Russia-friendly politics under Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
- Orban's surprise visit to Kyiv amid Russia's war on Ukraine has highlighted tensions between Hungary and Ukraine over Hungary's stance on the war and support for Ukraine.
- There is a long-standing strain between Hungary and Brussels due to Hungary's attacks on the rule of law, press freedom, and widespread corruption, leading to the EU freezing funds for Hungary.
- Orban is expected to use the presidency to sway the EU's motions his way, potentially igniting further debate on the direction and values of the EU.
- The timing of Hungary's presidency avoids key legislative moments, which may limit its influence.
- The surge of the far-right across Europe adds to the concerns surrounding Hungary's presidency.
- The episode raises questions about the future of the EU and its values under the leadership of authoritarian figures like Orban.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Make Europe great again. That is a slogan the hungarian government chose for their presidency of the Council of the European Union because Hungary takes over this week and will hold this presidency for the next six months.“ by Emma Belmonte
- “Orban is the only EU leader to have maintained close ties with Russia, and despite his first visit to Ukraine in two years, his foreign minister Peter Siyato has made five trips to Russia since the outbreak of the war in 2022, and Hungary has repeatedly questioned sending military aid to Ukraine, preferring to call for a ceasefire instead.“ by Emma Belmonte
- “Over the past three years, the EU has frozen approximately €30 billion in funds destined for Hungary, a move that was motivated by Hungary's attacks on the rule of law, on press freedom, and widespread corruption among the political elite, which have been reported by many international organizations.“ by Emma Belmonte
- “As for right now, it remains to be seen how Auburn plans to use the next six months to make Europe great again, and whether his presidency will ignite further debate on the direction and values of the EU.“ by Emma Belmonte
- “Despite the influential role of the Council presidency and the surge of the far right across Europe, politicians in Brussels are already relieved by the fact that Hungarys term doesnt fall on any key legislative moments.“ by Emma Belmonte
Entities
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Organization
Episode Information
Europe, Day by Day
Europod
7/2/24
Make Europe Great Again.
That’s the slogan of the Hungarian government for their presidency of the Council of the European Union, which they take over this week.
As one of their first actions, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is in Kyiv today, marking his first visit since the start of Russia’s 2022 war on Ukraine.
This surprise visit comes amid concerns across the EU regarding Hungary’s six-month presidency, given Orban’s undemocratic, authoritarian, and Russia-friendly politics.
So, what can we expect of Hungary’s presidency?
And how might the tensions between Orbán and Brussels play out?
Europe, Day by Day is Europod's first daily podcast, in co-production with Sphera Network
The executive producer of Europe, Day by Day is Alexander Damiano Ricci.
The host of Europe, Day by Day is Emma Belmonte.
The researcher of this episode is Juli Simond.
This episode was produced and edited by Seden Anlar.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.