Hungary and the defeat of illiberal democracy with Eva Cartwright and Flora Hevesi - Women Leaders | Lyssna här

There are certain events that are so important they signify a word now rarely used: possibility. The victory of the opposition Tisza party in Hungary over the long-ruling illiberal Fidesz party embodies the idea of possibility — a possible new and better future, a possible reconciliation with the EU, a possible end to corruption, and so many other possibilities.

As the Tisza party headed by Péter Magyar takes office, we wanted to establish how the victory was achieved: not as an abstract question, but as a reality of Hungarians who objected to Orban’s illiberal democracy and joined forces to fight it to victory. Eva Cartwright and Flora Hevesi, two such activists, join a dynamic and heartfelt conversation that explores what living in the Hungary of Fidesz really meant, in cities and villages, and how victory was finally achieved.

This episode was recorded 7 May 2026

Chapters

Recognising the signs of democratic erosion
Hungary’s experience of democracy
The shift from Fidesz to Tisza
Complexities of political activism

Mentions

Full Circle event - 19th May 2026

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Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando
Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-rollLicense code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT