2019 started with thousands taking to the streets of Hungary in protests against an increasingly autocratic government. Victor Orban started his third consecutive term as Prime Minister when his party Fidesz won the parliamentary election in Hungary in 2018 with a big margin. His government’s strict policies on immigration and extreme rhetoric about refugees have caused alarm in other parts of Europe.
After the elections, several changes have been introduced restricting among other things, media freedom and plurality. One law that has sparked particular opposition in the country is the so-called ‘Slave Law’, raising the limit of overtime hours from 250 to 400 per year.
Where is Hungary going in 2019? Are Hungarians loosing their democracy? Are these protests the beginning of a larger opposition to Orban’s politics?
Panel:
Film-maker of Hungary 2018, Eszter Hajdú
Professor on nationalism and European politics, Elisabeth Bakke
Lawyer and co-chair in Hungarian Helsinki Committee, András Kádár,
Central and Eastern Europe expert in Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Csilla Czimbalmos
In conversation with journalist and author, Ingrid Brekke
In cooperation with the HUMAN Film Festival
Talk following the screening of Hungary 2018
Other events we particitpate in and co-host:
HUMAN 2019 / The Threat of Ultra-Nationalism in Ukraine and Europe