Visegrad Insight Podcast

In this episode, we look at Victory Day in Russia and who may or may not be attending. We also breakdown events happening at the same time in Europe, like a new treaty between Poland and France, as well as first round election results in Romania and the latest opinion polls in Poland – two weeks before the 18 May vote.

In this episode, we look back on the last 10 years of the Three Seas Initiative, as the forum celebrates its 10th anniversary in Warsaw – and in the same week that Donald Trump Jr. tours around the region… We also break down the state of play ahead of crucial elections in Romania and Poland.

In this episode, we explore relations between Poland and Germany with special guest, Bartosz Wieliński – Visegrad Insight Fellow and Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Gazeta Wyborcza. We break down how the politics of memory around Germany and migration has been weaponised, in the past and now ahead of Polish elections next month. We also look at what to expect from the new Friedrich Merz-led coalition, a...

In this episode, we break down Polish expectations for the new German government. We also look at presidential election debates in Poland – including an unknown, pro-Russian unknown actor – and growing concerns about corruption in Hungary and Slovakia.

In this episode, we dive into the reactions and the reasoning behind Donald Trump’s tariffs. We also give an exclusive teaser of our Quarterly Brief, which analyses how the new US administration has reshaped European defence: inspiring investment in hard security, but also amplifying illiberal actors and their threats to democratic security. Keep an eye out. Our brief, written with input from fell...

In this episode, we break down discourse on China in Central and Eastern European social media. We then dive into the increasingly important world of chips and semiconductors. We’re joined by Matej Šimalčík, Executive Director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS). You can find the latest CEIAS report, ‘Contested narratives about China on V4 social media’, at the link:  https:...

In this episode, we react to news that the European Commission is making a fresh push to free European savings – in the context of the ReArm Europe plan – as well as growing talk around military training. We also look at the deeper, economic issues Viktor Orbán is trying to cover up in Hungary.

In this episode, we discuss the changing transatlantic relationship, amid US tariff threats and the EU’s white paper on defence. We then cover the biggest protests in Serbia since the regime of Slobodan Milošević.

In this episode, we look at how democratic countries need to act when tackling illiberalism. We breakdown the Romanian government’s decision to ban far-right frontrunner Cǎlin Georgescu from the May elections. We then respond to a recent report titled ‘When Democrats Govern Undemocratically: The Case of Poland’ – with input from Matthew Boyse , the report’s author and a former senior foreign servi...

In this episode, we break down regional reactions to the now infamous meeting between Donald Trump, JD Vance and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office. We also look at why it was a mistake not to invite the Baltics to the Ukraine Summit in London.

In this episode, we break down election results in Germany, growing Trump administration pressure on Ukraine, as well as the EU’s upcoming Clean Industrial Deal. Wojciech Przybylski joins from the Yalta Conference in Kyiv , and we hear from special guest David Criekemans – a distinguished Professor of International Relations and Specialist in Geopolitics from Antwerp University.

In this episode, we digest the outcomes of a chaotic Munich Security Conference, including reactions from around Central and Eastern Europe - and expectations for EU defence after an emergency summit in Paris.

This is the second episode of a two-part series, where we look at the hopes and fears of countries in Central and Eastern Europe regarding the potential outcomes of German elections on 23 February. It is hosted by Goran Buldioski and includes special guests Marzenna Guz-Vetter, Zuzana Lizcová , Péter Krekó , Tomás Strážay , Alina Inayeh , Vessela Tchernev a and Márta Pardavi . We hope you enjoy, a...

This is the first episode of a two-part series, where we look at the current relations between Germany and countries in Central and Eastern Europe ahead of German elections on 23 February. It is hosted by Goran Buldioski and includes special guests Marzenna Guz-Vetter, Zuzana Lizcová, Péter Krekó, Tomás Strážay, Alina Inayeh, Vessela Tcherneva and Márta Pardavi. Stay tuned for Part II, and sign up...

In this episode, we look at a week of important gatherings on European defence, culminating with an Ursula Von der Leyen visit to Poland and the specially chosen port city of Gdansk. Related Weekly Outlook: https://visegradinsight.eu/eu-focus-on-security-in-gdansk-rutte-urges-war-readiness/

In this episode, we look at what to expect next in Slovakia in the wake of country-wide demonstrations – which saw 100,000 Slovaks protest against the government of Robert Fico – and ahead of another upcoming motion of no-confidence. We are joined by special guests Beata Balogová , editor-in-chief of SME daily, one of the most popular broadsheets in Slovakia, and Rasťo Kužel , a media and election...

In this episode, we break down the Central European response to Donald Trump’s inauguration and why economic security will dominate much of this year and beyond.

In this episode, we explore the run-up to Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, including the Baltic response to his comments on Greenland, and the Biden administration’s final US sanctions. We then look at growing signs that the Polish presidential race is heating up!

In this episode, we dive into Poland’s decision to uninvite Hungary from the gala opening of its EUCO Presidency – and why this is about far more than a political spat. Read more in the Weekly Outlook: https://visegradinsight.eu/tusk-slams-door-in-hungarys-face-to-kick-off-eu-presidency/

In this episode, the hosts offer their account of the pitfalls and triumphs of European democracy in 2024 and look ahead to 2025 - the year that will test the European Democracy Shield initiative in the making. References: Our latest EU Values Foresight report ⁠https://visegradinsight.eu/eu-values-foresight/2024-shielding-european-democracy/⁠ European Democracy Shield Needs Defence Posture - Polic...

In this episode, we delve into the murky waters of Democracy Information Manipulation and Interference (DIMI) in Europe. With Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's controversial trip to Moscow, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's meddling in Polish politics, and the traces of an illegal TikTok campaign in Romania, we ask the pressing question: who is the leading DIMI in Europe? Join us as we unc...

Visegrad Insight editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta break down Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico’s recent dive into geopolitics and peace talks – and how long their influence might last. European Enlargement Fellow Jan Farfal then interviews Erik Jones, Director of the Robert Schuman Centre at the European University Institute, on EU strategy for the return of Donald Trump. Read the interview...

 Visegrad Insight editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta look at the decision of Romania’s constitutional court to rerun the country’s presidential elections – through the lens of our recent  ‘Shielding European Democracy’  report.  They then break down the latest  Weekly Outlook , including Sergey Lavrov’s first visit to Europe since February 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to Paris and lots...

In this episode, we explore Romania's election campaign, discuss the dilemma between foreign and domestic interference with insights from the latest EU Values report ( Shielding European Democracy ) and welcome back Alina Inayeh , Marcin Król Fellow, after a brief hiatus. URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/eu-values-foresight/2024-shielding-european-democracy/

Visegrad Insight editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta break down our Weekly Outlook , including the surprise lead of a far-right candidate in Romania’s presidential elections, and the naming of presidential candidates in Poland. Europe Enlargement Fellow Jan Farfał then interviews Veton Surroi , a Kosovar Albanian publicist, politician and journalist, on the Western Balkans under Donald Tru...