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Hungary has entered a new political era. After 16 years ofViktor Orbán’s rule, Péter Magyar and the TISZA party have secured a sweeping election victory, reportedly with a two-thirds majority. What happens next? In this Deep Dive episode of Talk Eastern Europe, host Alexandra Karppi speaks with Zsuzsanna Vegh, an expert on Central Europe and democratic resilience from the German Marshall Fund. They discuss the dramatic election result and what it could mean for Hungary, the European Union, and the wider region. In the interview, Zsuzsanna discusses: How Péter Magyar could begin dismantling Orbán’s politicalsystemAnti-corruption reforms, media changes, and constitutionaloverhaulFrozen EU funds and whether Hungary’s economy couldrebound quicklyWhat this means for Viktor Orbán and the future of FideszThe impact on Robert Fico, Aleksandar Vučić, and illiberalalliances in Central EuropeHungary’s future relationship with European Union, NATO,Ukraine, and the Western BalkansRussian influence, intelligence scandals, and regionalsecurity risksIs this the end of the Orbán era or just the beginning of anew political struggle? Subscribe to Talk Eastern Europe for more expert analysis onCentral, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Support our podcast – become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Help us reach our goal of 75 Patrons. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope This week on Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra and Nina unpack the regional ripple effects following Hungary’s elections and what they could mean for politics across Central and Eastern Europe. They also discuss a high-profile visit by Donald Trump Jr. in the Balkans as well as the latest from Moldova, including the country taking another step away from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Finally, the two look at the latest pressure on Memorial in Russia. Plus, protests in Bratislava raise fresh questions about democratic rules ahead of future elections. Check out our weekly newsletter: www.briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe

Support our work! Join our patron community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope What is the story behind Slovakia’s most famous musicfestival? In this episode, Nina speaks with Michal Kaščák, founder of Pohoda Festival, about 30 years of music, freedom, and politics in Slovakia. The conversation explores how Pohoda began in the 1990s during the Mečiar era, why the festival became a symbol of democracy and free expression, and how it grew into one of Europe’s most respected music and arts festivals. The two also discuss culture in today’s Slovakia, political pressure, civil society, and why festivals like Pohoda matter far beyond music. In the bonus section, for our patrons only - Michal takes us back to the 1980s as frontman of Bez ladu a skladu, sharing what it was like to play underground music under communism. From censorship and banned concerts to the fall of the regime in 1989, this is a powerful story about music, resistance, and freedom—and how those experiences shaped the creation of Pohoda Festival. Sign up to our patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope As Pohoda celebrates its 30th edition, this is a conversation about art, community, and the fight to keep culture free. Check out the Pohoda Festival website: https://www.pohodafestival.sk/en

Hungarian voters have delivered a political earthquake. After 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán has been defeated, marking a historic turning point not just for Hungary, but for all of Central and Eastern Europe. In this special quick take episode of Talk Eastern Europe, we break down the key takeaways from the election results, including how Péter Magyar secured a constitutional majority and why voters turned out in record numbers. We also explore what this result reveals about the state of democracy in Hungary, how everyday issues like the economy and corruption shaped the vote, and why this election may become a case study for defeating entrenched power. Beyond Hungary, we look at the broader geopolitical implications, from relations with the European Union and NATO to future support for Ukraine and the shifting dynamics within Central Europe. With a peaceful concession already underway, the big question now is what comes next - forHungary, for Europe, and for Orbán himself. Is this a turning point for democracy in Europe, or just the beginning of a new political struggle? Tune in for our quick, sharp reaction and stay with us for a deeper analysis coming soon. And Subscribe for more insights on Eastern Europeanpolitics, democracy, and geopolitics. If you like our content please support us by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Sign up for the Brief Eastern Europe Weekly Newsletter! https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeIn this week’s Talk Eastern Europe news roundup, Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi and Nina Panikova break down the latest stories shaping Central and Eastern Europe. We discuss the rising stakes ahead of Bulgaria’s snap parliamentary elections, including concerns over Russian interference, disinformation, and the political role of Rumen Radev. The conversation then turns to Hungary, where the team dissects the dramatic final stretch before the election, from the alleged pipeline sabotage plot and Viktor Orbán’s campaign tactics to high-profile backing from theUnited States, including J.D. Vance’s visit. The episode also highlights this week’s deep-dive interviewon Poland, covering polarization, security, relations with the US and EU, and the growing influence of the far right. For the Deep Dive on Poland – watch it here: https://youtu.be/1mDT4EJep2k?si=Xg8Qlt__fOJMiUnt To close, the hosts reflect on a striking contrast in theregion: violent developments in Serbia alongside football euphoria in Bosnia and Herzegovina after a major World Cup qualifier upset. Subscribe to Talk Eastern Europe and join the conversation in the comments. Check out our previous episode on Romania and foreigninterference: https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/episode-208-foreign-interference-in-europe-and-the-case-of-romania Read even more on Orban’s Ukraine narrative: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/04/07/orbans-ukraine-narrative/

Help us grow! Support us: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope More than halfway through Donald Tusk’s term, Poland is entering a crucial political moment. The governing coalition is under pressure to deliver on its promises while navigating institutional gridlock, deep political polarization, and a rapidly changing international security environment. In this week’s Talk Eastern Europe interview, Adam Reichardt speaks with journalist, writer, and sociologist Mateusz Mazzini about where Polish politics stand today and what may come next. They discuss the Tusk government’s record so far, why security and foreign policy now dominate domestic politics, President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of the EU SAFE defence financing mechanism, Poland’s evolving relationship with the United States under Donald Trump, and the rise of the right and far right ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections. This is a wide-ranging conversation on power, sovereignty, defence, and the political choices that may shape Poland’s future. Guest: Mateusz Mazzini is a Polish journalist, writer, and sociologist. He writes for Gazeta Wyborcza and Polityka, and has published in The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and New Eastern Europe.

In this week’s Talk Eastern Europe news roundup, Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi, and Nina Panikova break down the latest developments across the region. We start with Ukraine, where growing tensions with the United States over potential peace conditions raise serious questions about future security guarantees and military support. With the war in the Middle East reshaping global priorities, the episode explores how shifting geopolitics may be weakening Ukraine’s position while strengthening Russia’s hand. The discussion then turns to wider regional security concerns, including whether NATO could face a real test in the Baltics and how countries like Poland are preparing for a potential escalation. We also look at Moldova’s newly declared energy state of emergency following Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, highlighting how the war continues to impact the broader region. Finally, we head to the Balkans to unpack local elections inSerbia, where reports of irregularities and political pressure raise fresh concerns about democratic standards under Aleksandar Vučić. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and check outour full episodes and bonus content.

Albania is often presented as a success story in the Western Balkans, especially on its path to the EU. But what’s really happening beneath the surface? In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, we dive into Albania’s evolving political landscape with researcher Gresa Hasa from the University of Graz. Following a landslide victory by Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, Albania is entering a new phase, one marked by growing concerns over power concentration, weakened opposition, and shrinking civic space. In the conversation we discuss: Why Albania increasingly resembles a dominant one-party system The collapse and fragmentation of the opposition, including Sali Berisha’s roleWhat’s really behind the so-called “anti-corruption protests” The paradox of anti-corruption efforts led by Albania’s special prosecutor (SPAK) Why these protests are less grassroots—and more about elite power struggles The gap between Albania’s EU progress on paper and its democratic reality How international media may be misreading the situation We also explore the concept of “stabilitocracy”—where leaders promise stability to the EU whileundermining democratic institutions at home—and what this means for Albania’sEU future. Learn even more: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/03/26/building-a-collective-desire-the-rise-of-kamza-tells-the-story-of-post-communist-albania/ Support us - join our patron community! https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Talk Eastern Europe is a patron-supported podcast – please support us by becoming a patron here: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope In this week’s Talk Eastern Europe news round-up, hosts Adam Reichardt and Alexandra Karppi unpack major political developments across Central and Eastern Europe – from the high-stakes election dynamics in Hungary to massive anti-government protests in Prague and constitutional changes in Kazakhstan. The episode explores how shifting political alliances, right-wing transnational networks, and allegations of foreign influence are shaping the region’s political landscape. The hosts also discuss Slovenia’s razor-thin election outcome and reflect on their latest deep-dive interview investigating alleged Slovak connections to the Epstein files. In this episode: Polish-Hungarian political tensions and ViktorOrbán’s election strategy CPAC Hungary and the rise of conservativetransnational alliances Allegations of intelligence leaks betweenHungarian officials and Moscow Huge anti-government demonstrations in Prague Slovenia’s unexpectedly tight election results Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum andpotential power consolidation   Subscribe on YouTube and follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform to stay updated on the latest developments shaping Eastern Europe.

What do the Jeffrey Epstein files reveal about Slovakia? Inthis episode of Talk Eastern Europe, investigative journalist Karin Kőváry Sólymos joins us to unpack the surprising links between Epstein and former Slovak foreign minister Miroslav Lajčák. We discuss what the documents show, why the story matters, and how the revelations shook Slovak politics. Read Karin’s investigation in VSquare: https://vsquare.org/and-most-importantly-friend-mapping-miroslav-lajcaks-encounters-with-jeffrey-epstein/ Support this channel – become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Bonus interview: In the bonus section we discuss the investigation into the Ukrainian corruption scandal which broke recently, called Operation Midas. The scandal is considered to be one of the most high-profile anti-corruption investigations in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, and there appears to be a significant Slovak connection as well. Watch and the bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-content-to-153813167

In this week’s episode of our new Talk Eastern Europe Weekly News Roundup, Adam Reichardt and Alexandra Karppi break down the biggest developments from across Central and Eastern Europe. This week’s topics include: Hungary’s high-stakes parliamentary electionPoland’s defence bill veto and rising political tensionsSerbia’s controversial judicial changesGeorgia’s embattled oppositionWe also introduce our new podcast format: one DeepDive interview earlier in the week, followed by a separate news roundup later in the week. Watch, listen, and subscribe for weekly analysis on Eastern Europe, EU politics, Russia’s war against Ukraine, cultural developments, and regional security. Support us on Patreon for early access and bonus content - https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

How does the war in Iran affect Europe’s security and Russia’s war against Ukraine? In this inaugural video episode of TalkEastern Europe, Adam Reichardt speaks with Marek Menkiszak, Head of the Russia Department at the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Warsaw. They discuss how the Middle East conflict is reshaping global attention, influencing energy markets and sanctions policy, and potentially creating new opportunities and risks for Moscow. The conversation explores Russia’s strategic calculations, the impact of rising oil and gas prices on the Kremlin’s war effort, the future of Western support for Ukraine, and the broader geopolitical implications involving the United States and China. Read more analysis by Marek Menkiszak: https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/eksperci/marek-menkiszak Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe now available online here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/02/23/issue-1-2-2026-europe-in-the-new-disorder/ Don’t forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter Brief Eastern Europe: www.briefeasterneurope.euJoin our Patron community, get early access and additional content ➤ www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Follow NEE on Instagram ➤  www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag Website ➤ https://www.talkeasterneurope.eu

In episode 257 of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Alexandrareact to the breakout of war in the Middle East and what it might mean from the regional aspect. They look specifically at relations with Russia, the war in Ukraine and also the South Caucasus, which borders the conflict zone. They also catch on the situation in Albania and discuss Hungary’s latest tactics ahead of the elections in April. For the main interview Alexandra is joined by Toma Istomina,deputy chief editor of The Kyiv Independent, on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Tome reflects on how the newsroom transformed overnight from a small startup into a major international outlet covering the war, and how journalists balance urgent battlefield reporting with deeper coverage of Ukrainian culture, history, and everyday life. The conversation explores the challenges of reporting during prolonged conflict, the importance of global understanding of Ukraine, and the role international audiences can play in supporting independent journalism covering the war. Check out the Kyiv Independent online: https://kyivindependent.com/ Watch the special YouTube series “Dare to Ukraine” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cjMmGeLq0I&list=PLmOj0Ur_xinRpYyt31pbGt48Z6YGwX6Zt Support the podcast and become a patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In episode 256 of Talk Eastern Europe, hosts Adam, Alexandra and Nina mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine with a heavy week of reflections – as well as some other news from the region. They discuss ongoing protest movements across the Balkans (includingfresh demonstrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina following a deadly tram derailment), tensions in Serbia, and what these cycles of civic anger say about corruption and accountability. The episode then features an interview with Nedim Useinow - a Crimean Tatar originally from Crimea and now a program manager with the German Marshall Fund. Adam and Nedim discuss where the war stands after four years, why current “peace talks” feel hollow, what occupation has meant for Crimea and Crimean Tatars, and how Ukrainians’ resilience has shifted from shock to long-term adaptation. The conversation also touches on Poland’s evolving public mood, disinformation, and why continued support for Ukraine still matters for European security. Read online: “Tortured into confession. The plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war” https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/02/24/tortured-into-confession-the-plight-of-ukrainian-prisoners-of-war/ Listen to Part 1 of this series here - https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/ukraine-four-years-of-resistance-part-1-mobilizing-empathy-for-stolen-children

In episode 255 of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra, Adam and Nina discuss the week’s key developments across the region, from Olympic results to the latest from the Munich Security Conference, including EU calls related to Russia–Ukraine regotiations and a high-level US visit to the countries of theregion. The second half features the first instalment of our special series commemorating the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. For this episode, Nina sat down with Ukrainian-Canadian singer, folklorist and activist Marichka. She reflects on her journey from musician to activist, medic and war journalist and speaks about her musical project Daughters of Donbas, where she collaborates with international artists and amplifies survivor voices, including Lisa, a young woman who survived filtration camps in Mariupol. In the bonus episode, Marichka stays on to speak about Ukrainian folk music traditions and briefly sings in the “open voice” polyphonic singing technique. She also speaks about her digital archive, Folk Songs of Ukraine. Our patrons can listen to that here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-255-folk-151154003 Check out Daughters of Donbas Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Daughters-of-Donbas-61572669756771/ Check out Daughters of Donbas Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/daughtersofdonbas/