What’s up, Hungary—another term for Orbán?

08.04.2026 08:30 - 09:30English

Democratic norms are under pressure and Hungary is often cited as a prominent case of democratic backsliding.

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On April 12, Hungary will hold parliamentary election, an important test of whether the opposition can challenge Viktor Orbán’s long-standing hold on power. The election also raises broader questions about how democratic backsliding can unfold within a member state of the European Union.

This panel discussion will examine what is at stake in the upcoming election, the prospects for the opposition, and key issues such as media control, populism, and potential foreign influence on the electoral process. We will also place Hungary within a wider European context by comparing similar democratic challenges across the region.

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Bergen Global
Jekteviksbakken 31, Bergen

08.04.2026
08:30 - 09:30
English
Add to calendar 08.04.2026, 08.04.2026
Raimondas Ibenskas
Professor , UiB

Ibenskas is a professor at the Department of Comparative Politics at the University of Bergen.

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Iver Ørstavik
Senior Advisor, Rafto

Iver Ørstavik has facilitated a broad variety of projects in assistance of the work of Rafto laureates since 2010, working extensively with laureates and other partners from India, Bahrain, Mexico, Honduras, Korea, Hungary, Russia, Uganda.

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Alida Steigler
Doctoral Research Fellow, UiO

Steigler is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Public and International Law at the University of Oslo

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Irina Anisimova
Guest Researcher, UiB

Irina Anisimova’s scholarship combines insights from the humanities and social sciences. Her scholarship falls within three broad categories 1. contemporary culture and politics; 2. empire and postcolonial theory; 3. Russian media and film.

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Raimondas Ibenskas

Professor , UiB

Ibenskas is a professor at the Department of Comparative Politics at the University of Bergen.

Ibenskas´ research and teaching interests concern political party instability in European democracies. Additionally he looks at party responsiveness, party coalitions and interest group politics in the European Union.

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Iver Ørstavik

Senior Advisor, Rafto

Iver Ørstavik has facilitated a broad variety of projects in assistance of the work of Rafto laureates since 2010, working extensively with laureates and other partners from India, Bahrain, Mexico, Honduras, Korea, Hungary, Russia, Uganda.

He has covered subjects ranging from Dalit discrimination, via migrants and LGBTIQ rights, to rule of law. He headed the Free Speech to Overcome Hate Speech Program 2016-2018. Ørstavik has also been a member of the Rafto Prize Committee, and was Head of the educational work at Rafto Foundation in 2007-2009.

Ørstavik holds an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Bergen. He has approximately 15 years of teaching experience from various universities and community colleges, in the history of philosophy, philosophy of science, critical thinking, philosophy of law, and ethics.

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Alida Steigler

Doctoral Research Fellow, UiO

Steigler is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Public and International Law at the University of Oslo

Steigler is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Public and International Law at the University of Oslo. She is affiliated with the ENROL project, an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Public and International Law and the ARENA Centre for European Studies, funded by the Research Council of Norway. Her project focuses on the European Union’s approach towards the rule of law.

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Irina Anisimova

Guest Researcher, UiB

Irina Anisimova’s scholarship combines insights from the humanities and social sciences. Her scholarship falls within three broad categories 1. contemporary culture and politics; 2. empire and postcolonial theory; 3. Russian media and film.

Irina received her Ph.D. in Russian Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, USA. Before moving to Bergen, she worked at Miami University in Ohio and Florida State University. Until recently, Irina was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Bergen. She is a co-organizer and a co-leader of the Research Group for Contemporary Russia.

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Bergen Global is a joint initiative between the University of Bergen and Chr. Michelsen Institute that addresses global challenges.