Description of the event. The political landscape of South-Eastern Europe is rather gloomy nowadays, given the rise of extremist parties and movements which promote illiberal values and attitudes. From Poland to Turkey, illiberal discourses are being voiced in Parliaments and institutions all across the Eastern Flank. The US is also plagued by this phenomenon. And while the speeches of various officials may more often raise brows than produce visible effects, the growing public support that these ideas are getting is indeed worrisome. Thus, can we speak of a co-occurring illiberal pandemic?

Participants:

• Ludmila Nofit, Program Coordinator, Foreign Policy Association (Asociația pentru Politica Externă, APE), Moldova
• Louisa Slavkova, Executive Director, Sofia Platform, Bulgaria
• Szelényi Zsuzsanna, Psychologist and politician, Member of the Hungarian Parliament (1990-1994, 2014-2018), Hungary

Moderator: Liliana Popescu, Vice-rector of SNSPA

Partner: True Story Project