Andreas Bock

Head of Communications @ecfr / former senior editor of @eurotopics_en at @n_ost — views are my own

[ECFR @ecfr]

📍New public opinion polling

Like little Kevin in the comedy film, European citizens have woken up to an uncomfortable truth: they've been left Home Alone. Not by their parents and siblings, but by an America on whom many thought they could depend, write @j_kobzova and Pawel Zerka
https://t.co/HMDpyEEuLh

[Jeremy Cliffe @JeremyCliffe]

Brussels folks! Join us this coming Monday 8 June, 16:00-18:00, for the launch of a flagship paper from @ecfr's New Politics Project on how to advance the European green deal amid political volatility, fragmentation & populism.

Register here ⬇️

https://t.co/sQtW5yFjVK

[ECFR @ecfr]

The Russian threat is not going away any time soon. To defend themselves without America’s help, Europeans need to pursue a new, distinctly European model of defence and deterrence, write @_RafaelLoss, @mprochwicz, and @jana_puglierin
👇
https://t.co/1gBLFFxvB1

[Andreas Bock @andras_bock]

The “Iran nuclear monitor” — an interactive dashboard, updated monthly, and published by @ecfr today — assesses current evidence about Iran’s nuclear activities to determine which of 6 possible scenarios is most likely 👇

https://t.co/I6pjK0VbqV

[Project Syndicate @ProSyn]

By the end of his rule, @PM_ViktorOrban controlled roughly 80% of Hungary’s media landscape. Yet even that sprawling propaganda apparatus failed to secure victory at the ballot box, writes @globalfreemedia’s @brouilas. https://t.co/X3RJf5enr5

[Szabolcs Panyi @panyiszabolcs]

For your information: these are the final hours of Viktor Orbán’s 16-year-long rule in Hungary.

[Andreas Bock @andras_bock]

New @ecfr polling published today reveals that Peter Magyar’s mandate is far more complicated than EU leaders were hoping for: voters want domestic repair first, are split on Ukraine, and increasingly reluctant to ditch Russian energy 👇

https://t.co/vozkIdEq87

[Viktória Serdült @viktoriaserdult]

Viktor Orban's empire is crumbling quicker than anyone would have thought. Gyula Balásy, the man who made his fortune on government propaganda offered his advertising companies to the state, crying during an "emotional" interview.

A few billboards he was responsible for:

[CPJ Europe and Central Asia @CPJ_Eurasia]

“CPJ welcomes the #Hungarian authorities’ decision to drop espionage charges against investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi (@panyiszabolcs). The allegations were baseless and should never have been pursued. Initiated during Hungary's election campaign, the case illustrated the outgoing Orbán administration's misuse of state power to intimidate independent media and avoid scrutiny," - @pressfreedom's @attilamong.
https://t.co/qmqju9Jzaq

[Szabolcs Panyi @panyiszabolcs]

Viktor Orbán heads to the US in June, where family members already live, while loyalists seek MAGA think-tank jobs and visas after the election defeat. Meanwhile, oligarchs & cronies are shifting wealth abroad, largely to the Middle East. @floragaramvolgy
https://t.co/M2yTPzOZtr

[Donald Tusk @donaldtusk]

European Council meeting. For the first time in years there are no Russians in the room. Huge relief.

[ECFR @ecfr]

How could a real reset between the #EU and #Hungary be achieved?

The EU has a rare opportunity to recalibrate a difficult relationship after #Orbán's Hungary.

It must be grounded in clear principles—upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and aligning with Europe’s broader geopolitical priorities.

@JeremyCliffe outlines four principles for a smarter, more strategic approach: https://t.co/Q2OWMLsypa

[ECFR @ecfr]

We’re hiring! 📢

The European Council on Foreign Relations is looking for a Working Student (m/f/d) to join our Geoeconomics & Tech initiative in Berlin.

This is a great opportunity for Master’s students interested in geoeconomics, tech policy, and international affairs to gain hands-on experience in event coordination, communications (social media & newsletters) and project and stakeholder management.

If you’re organised, proactive, and eager to work at the intersection of economics, technology, and geopolitics, we’d love to hear from you.

🗓 Duration: 6 months (mid-May to mid-November)
💼 Part-time
📍 Berlin-based

📌 Apply by 26 April 2026!

https://t.co/nlE4MP6e5n

[Magyar Péter (Ne féljetek) @magyarpeterMP]

Fidesz politician Péter Ágh clearly won his seat through fraud. Neither we nor the people of Vas County accept him as a legitimate Member of Parliament.

This is the Russian playbook in its most cynical form.
Fidesz fielded a proxy candidate - one Péter Magyar - who does not even live in the constituency and who attends Fidesz events; he received 909 votes.
The TISZA candidate, Viktória Strompová, fell short by a mere 258 votes. This was not a fair political contest, but a deliberate attempt to mislead voters.

This is a far more blatant abuse than many others committed by Fidesz.
The police confirmed as early as 9 April that they had launched criminal proceedings on suspicion of offences against the electoral process.

We call for a new, fair election in Vas County’s 02 constituency.

[ECFR @ecfr]

Digital technologies are no longer neutral tools: they are instruments of power.

From great power competition over tech dominance to governments exploiting surveillance and algorithmic polarisation—technological coercion is becoming a defining challenge for democracies.

📅 This Saturday on the 18th, ECFR’s José-Ignacio Torreblanca moderates a panel at the Global Progressive Mobilisation Summit in Barcelona:

The panel — Defending Democracies from Technological Coercion — brings together an exceptional group of voices:

• Josephine Ballon, Managing Director, HateAid (Germany)
• María Ressa, Journalist and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (Philippines)
• Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, European Commission
• Katherine Tai, Former United States Trade Representative (2021–25) and Executive Director, Coalition for New Trade (United States)

🕙 10:00–10:45
📍 Fira Gran Via Barcelona, Hall 8 — Agora / Ernest Lluch

🎥 Watch live: https://t.co/fyWAOhXdbC

This discussion builds on ECFR’s work on democracy, foreign policy, and technological sovereignty — a growing priority for Europe and its partners.

[ECFR @ecfr]

📢New Policy Alert!

Peter Magyar’s resounding victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election has ended 16 years of Viktor Orban’s rule.

His campaign promised to reverse Hungary’s entrenched illiberal system and anti-EU direction under Orban, but this is far easier said than done.

With Magyar’s Tisza party gaining 54% of votes and a constitutional majority it has the opportunity to reshape the political system in Hungary by removing Orban’s cronies, restoring the rule of law and changing the institutional set-up.

The EU should engage quickly with the new Hungarian government, as soon as it is in place, and give it a helping hand while insisting on a clear reform plan.

Read the full article by @PiotrBuras1: https://t.co/SS53aE1UuN

[Andreas Bock @andras_bock]

With a two-thirds majority, the new Tisza government in Hungary has the legal mandate to dismantle Orbán’s illiberal system. Orbán’s defeat will probably also affect the entire national-populist network in Europe and beyond. More in our election insight at 2pm CEST today

[ECFR @ecfr]

🚨Happening today!

At 14:00 CET, @PiotrBuras1,  @VeghZsuzsanna and Pawel Zerka will discuss the Hungarian election results and dive into the exclusive ECFR polling, which will give a detailed picture of what Hungarian voters are thinking right now – their expectations, their frustrations, and how durable any political shift might be.

Simply join us by registering here: https://t.co/FLfk0ILKMt

[Moritz Gathmann @moritz_gathmann]

Okay ich hätte das nicht für möglich gehalten. Fidesz hat nur 13 von 106 Wahlkreisen geholt. Sogar der Wahlkreis Fejér-3, in dem Orbáns Heimatort Felcsút liegt, ging an Tisza - 2022 hatte Fidesz den noch klar gewonnen. Das von Orbán gebastelte gemischte Wahlsystem (106 Direktmandate, 93 über Liste), das die stärkste Partei bei Wahlen deutlich bevorteilt, hat sich nun gegen ihn gewendet und seine Herrschaft beendet. Von einer Zwei-Drittel-Mehrheit auf 55 Mandate - was für eine Niederlage.

[Szabolcs Panyi @panyiszabolcs]

💥🇭🇺🗳️ BREAKING: Péter Magyar says Viktor Orbán called to concede and congratulate him.

Magyar will be Hungary’s next prime minister and, as it stands, is set to secure a 2/3 supermajority – enough to fully dismantle Orbán’s system.

A 16-year chapter is over.

[Magyar Péter (Ne féljetek) @magyarpeterMP]

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has just called to congratulate us on our victory.