French MEP Bernard Guetta (Renew Europe) talks about the European Union entering the phase of political unity and future fights between its member states. He also shares his views on the joint declaration of far-right EU forces and what he thinks is at stake for the European Union at next year’s parliamentary elections in Hungary.

#26 Guetta: The EU's future is in the hands of the Hungarians

Digital rights activist and MEP Patrick Breyer explains “chat control” in detail, how the legislation got approved by the European Parliament, why it is missing its primary goal, violates the fundamental right to privacy, and what it means for free speech. The Pirate Party member also talks about why it would be better not to leave monitoring power in the hands of Facebook and Google moderators.

#27 Breyer: Why not install CCTV cameras in private departments?

On the eve of the Pope’s visit to Budapest, the CEA Magazine talks to Joseph Novak, the minister of the American-Hungarian Baptist Church. He shares his views about why the historic event will possibly be a clash between the Pope and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, the rifts within the Catholic Church in Hungary, and the major change that the Hungarian-American community has witnessed in the last decade.

#28 Novak: Pope’s Budapest visit will encourage the Quiet Ones

Hungary’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs Géza Jeszenszky talks about Pope Francis’ Budapest visit, the alleged Christian and conservative nature of the Viktor Orbán-led government and the prime minister’s position in the European Union. He also explains the “strange” character of the opposition coalition, and why he would be “pessimistic” if Klára Dobrev became the joint opposition PM candidate after the upcoming primaries.

#29 Jeszenszky: I can’t read Viktor Orbán’s mind

Political analyst Dániel Hegedűs sat down with CEA Magazine to analyze the upcoming German federal election, and explained why the FDP has the best chance to be the kingmaker after the ballot. He also talked about why he doesn’t expect a shift in the German-Hungarian relations and why Angela Merkel has a dark stain on her political legacy.

#30 Hegedűs: A life after Merkel is possible

Former US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly talks about Russia’s war in Ukraine, Georgia as a prelude to the current crisis, what Vladimir Putin could count on with economic pain kicking in globally and whether the Russian President can be defeated in the political chess game with the Western world.

#40 Amb. Kelly: Georgia was dress rehearsal for Ukraine

Fülke Földes Andrással: Tíz nap a posztapokaliptikus Kelet-Ukrajnában

Daniel Kaddik talks about the alternatives of fossil fuels for the next couple of decades. He mentions many challenges mainly focusing on Germany, where producing car is more than just sheer production, but also many other sectors are connected to it. Kaddik mentions the future of hydrogen and other alternative fuels, and talks enthusiastically how free market capitalism will solve transform petrol stations to being more service driven rather than only focusing on selling fuel. He also says that present-day cars will still be around until 2040, so there is ample time to see how the alternatives could be used and to what efficiency.

#49 Kaddik: Decarbonization - the limits and challenges of e-mobility

#51 Wirtz: Prohibition Never Works

In this in-depth conversation, Philip Hansen reflects on the evolving tobacco industry in Europe and across global markets. He discusses the dual forces of strict regulation and rapid innovation, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they create. Hansen addresses taxation, exclusion from policymaking, the role of harm reduction strategies, and the importance of preserving consumer freedom of choice. He also explores how different regions—from Sweden to Germany, Asia, and the US—approach tobacco policies and innovation, offering insight into the balance between public health goals, economic interests, and industry transformation.

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#65 Hansen: Regulation, Innovation, and Freedom of Choice in the Future of Tobacco - PART 2

Bálint Magyar, former Hungarian Minister of Education, was the latest guest of the CEA Talks podcast series where he talked about illusions after the transition, categories of post-communist societies, and his most recent publication The Anatomy of Post-Communist Regimes.

#10 Bálint Magyar: The Orbán government is a criminal organization

Central European Affairs is the digital magazine of our Foundation. It provides an analysis of the most distinguished topics related to democracy, rule of law, authoritarianism, human and digital rights in Central Europe. In CEA Talk, the journal’s podcast, international experts give insights into details of international politics and business.