Join our upcoming ValEUs event “RIPE FOR DIFFUSED ILLIBERALISM? Democratic Challenges in Contemporary Europe” via livestream or at the University of Florence on 20 October!
Programme:
15:30 | Opening Remarks
Laura Leonardi (University of Florence)
15:45 | ValEUs Lecture: Rebuilding Democracy after Illiberalism in Hungary – Challenges and Prospects
Sonja Priebus (European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder))
16:50 | Break
17:20 | Roundtable: The Many Faces of Illiberalism
Sorina Soare (University of Florence)
Leonardo Puleo (Université libre de Bruxelles)
Giorgia Bulli (University of Florence)
Sonja Priebus (European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder))
Moderator: Stefano Bottoni (University of Florence)
Learn more about the ValEUs Lecture and Roundtable below.
Date & time: 20/10/2026 | 15:30 – 18:30 (CEST)
Venue: University of Florence, Room 101, Building D5,
Novoli Campus
Livestream: via Google Meet (see below)
ValEUs Lecture: Rebuilding Democracy after Illiberalism in Hungary – Challenges and Prospects
In this edition of the ValEUs Lectures Series, Sonja Priebus (European University Viadrina) will explore the new Hungarian government’s efforts to rebuild democracy after 16 years of illiberal and authoritarian rule, following the change of government in April 2026. It will dissect the multi-layered process of dismantling an entrenched illiberal system to establish a new democratic one. I will focus on three dimensions of change. The first is the politics of institutional deconstruction and reconstruction, which involves ongoing efforts to repair the severe damage inflicted upon democracy and the rule of law. The second is the politics of political and economic accountability, including measures to restore transparency and hold former regime elites responsible for their past actions. The third is the politics of international rehabilitation, which encompasses measures to end Hungary’s isolation within the European Union and recover EU funds suspended under the previous regime.
Roundtable: The Many Faces of Illiberalism
This roundtable brings together scholars who examine illiberalism from different perspectives. It addresses the conceptual ambiguities and empirical challenges surrounding the term. Moving beyond the “usual suspect” of Hungary, participants will also explore illiberalism as a broader transnational project, considering the role of think tanks and cross-border networks, narratives of civilisational struggle, and the efforts to construct a counter-hegemonic political and intellectual order. The discussion will also examine how these dynamics intersect with digital integrity, including the influence of online platforms, disinformation, and digitally enabled political mobilisation.
Moderator & Speakers
Stefano Bottoni
Moderator (© Stefano Bottoni)
Associate Professor of History at the University of Florence
Giorgia Bulli
Speaker (© perUnaltracittà)
Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Florence
Sorina Soare
Speaker (© Sorina Soare)
Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Florence
Sonja Priebus
Speaker (© European University Viadrina)
Substitute Professor of Comparative Politics at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
Leonardo Puleo
Speaker (© Cevipol)
Substitute Professor at the Cevipol (Centre d'Etude de la Vie Politique), Université libre de Bruxelles
