Hungary and the defeat of illiberal democracy with Eva Cartwright and Flora Hevesi

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 2026ChaptersRecognising the signs of democratic erosionHungary’s experience of democracyThe shift from Fidesz to TiszaComplexities of political activismMentionsFull Circle event - 19th May 2026FollowEva Cartwright LinkedInFlora Hevesi LinkedInIlana Bet-ElInstagram @women_leaders_podcastListen this episode on our YouTube channelOur partner European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn Facebook websiteCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-rollLicense code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJTContribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcastWatch now our episode on Youtube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.