Authors: Judit Ricz, Andrea Éltető

In: Society and Economy in Central and Eastern Europe, 48(2), 64-91.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14267/1588970X.2026.015

Abstract

The article analyses non-state actor (NSA) agency at the intersection of autocratisation and new industrial policies. We focus on Hungary, an EU Member State that aims to become a leading global player in the electric vehicle sector, particularly in EV battery production. Besides the already functioning South Korean plants, numerous Chinese firms have been attracted to the country by extremely generous state support to build giga-factories. However, battery-related plants face opposition from the local population. Under the Hungarian autocratic regime, the space for NSA agency is increasingly shrinking, yet our focus is narrowed to analysing non-governmental organisations. We ask whether organised civil society can exercise political or domain-specific agency in an autocratising regime. Bottom-up initiatives against the battery factories mushroomed in all the affected Hungarian localities, which increasingly cooperated with each other, and even set up an umbrella organisation at the national level. Some important achievements are documented. To illustrate the causes of the limited non-state actor activism and nevertheless account for how impactful changes have occurred, the article analyses the experiences of two local associations: GÖD-ÉRT (the For Göd Association) and MIAKÖ (the Mothers of Mikepércs for the Environment Association). At the time of study, both have been forced to operate in an increasingly repressive setting.

A Ricz, J., Éltető, A.: The non-state actor contestation of battery factory investments in Hungary: the activism of GÖD-ÉRT and MIAKÖ bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Authors: Judit Ricz, Andrea Éltető In: Journal of Economic Policy Reform, 1–29. (2026).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17487870.2026.2680291

Abstract

New industrial policy has (re-)gained legitimacy in scholarly debates recently, as a means to boost and direct development. This article argues that autocratic leaders may exploit this policy to strengthen their domestic and international power position. By combining international and comparative political economy perspectives, we analyse the main logic, instruments, and limits of the Hungarian government’s new industrial policy to promote the electric vehicle battery sector. The case study illustrates how the Orbán regime manipulated the institutional and regulatory setting and applied selective (non-)enforcement of regulations – theorised as autocratic forbearance – to create locational advantages for Asian battery firms.

A Ricz, J., Éltető, A.: Rules for sale: autocratic forbearance, as a new industrial policy tool to promote the Hungarian battery hub bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Author: Andrea Éltető

In: HUN-REN CERS, Institute of World Economics, Working Paper Nr. 278 (2024) November 2024

Abstract

The paper discusses the industrial safety risks inside and outside the factories, the government’s information on the issue and the management of NGO activities. Evidence has been presented that South Korean cell factories and recyclers have committed systematic and recurrent irregularities in Hungary over the past years, leading to worker hazards and accidents. The authorities have been powerless to deal with these effectively. Profit interests of the factories often override health and safety concerns. The risks to industrial safety will continue to increase even under normal operating conditions with the mass influx of Chinese battery factories. Instead of being correctly informed about this, the public receives a central propaganda that uses all the tools of greenwashing, while the authorities try to restrict concerned citizens’ groups by various means.

A Éltető, A.: Industrial safety risks in the Hungarian battery industry and related communication bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Authors: Andrea Éltető, Tamás Peragovics, Magdolna Sass, Ágnes Szunomár

China’s European Bridgehead? The Chinese Economic Presence in Hungary, Budapest: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Budapest (2024)

Abstract

While the EU-China relationships are fraught with controversies, the Hungarian government has for many years been strengthening cooperation with the East Asian power. Several new investments have been realised or announced, large infrastructure projects are planned, in May 2024 the Chinese president visited Budapest and in July 2024, the Hungarian prime minister reciprocated the visit.
This paper unpacks the highly intertwined and interrelated political, economic, and environmental aspects and challenges of this friendship – as the leaders of the two countries often label it.

A Éltető, A., Peragovics, T., Sass, M., Szunomár Á.: China’s European Bridgehead? The Chinese Economic Presence in Hungary bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Article by Andrea Éltető on the Institute of World Economics’ blog

It was recently reported that the Hungarian government is also trying to pave the way for battery recycling plants by amending the law, and the Minister of Economy has been persuading several battery recycling companies in South Korea and China to invest in Hungary. According to a statement from the Ministry of Economy, since the EU’s 2023 regulation makes battery producers responsible for collecting and recycling all battery waste, but the country still has hardly any recycling plants, so this sector needs to be developed “to provide safe and environmentally friendly solutions for the large-scale recycling of used batteries.”

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A The environmental price of battery-recycling plans of the Hungarian government bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.