Hungary Archívum - VGI

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

tury.g — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:00:22 +0000

The non-state actor contestation of battery factory investments in Hungary: the activism of GÖD-ÉRT and MIAKÖ

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.

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Ricz, J., Éltető, A.: Rules for sale: autocratic forbearance, as a new industrial policy tool to promote the Hungarian battery hub

tury.g — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:50:12 +0000

Rules for sale: autocratic forbearance, as a new industrial policy tool to promote the Hungarian battery hub

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.

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The Path of Hungary’s EU Membership. Navigating Sovereignty, Dependence, and Economic Development

tury.g — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:45:16 +0000

The Path of Hungary’s EU Membership

Navigating Sovereignty, Dependence, and Economic Development

István Benczes: ‘Defining Economic Governance Through Critical Junctures and Learning by Doing ‘

Krisztina Arató, Boglárka Koller and Anita Pelle: ‘Why Does Hungary Not Use the Euro? The Reasons and Context Behind Staying Out’

Andrea Éltető: ‘Hungarian Industrial Policy in an EU Framework’

Download the book HERE

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Sass, M., S. Gubik, A., Túry, G.: Three years later – The integration and continuity of digital solutions at subsidiaries in Hungary after the COVID-19 pandemic

tury.g — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:45:30 +0000

Three years later – The integration and continuity of digital solutions at subsidiaries in Hungary after the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Magdolna Sass, Andrea Sáfrányné Gubik, Gábor Túry

In: Vezetéstudomány Budapest Management Review, 56(12), 18–27.

DOI: doi.org/10.14267/VEZTUD.2025.12.02

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated widespread adoption of digital solutions, including applications, intranets, social media, online communication platforms, and other online and remote business solutions. While some of these practices persisted in the post-COVID era, others were modified or abandoned. This study investigates the digital practices of six automotive and electronics subsidiaries in Hungary during the pandemic and over the subsequent three years. The authors’ findings indicate that practices beneficial to companies, such as technological innovations, online training, or meetings, remained integral to operations even after the pandemic. However, the continuity of other practices, such as working from home or remote work, depended on the nature of the position (whether it is related to physical production) and the company’s organizational and business culture (in both home and host countries).

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Hungary and Türkiye: 100 years of diplomatic relations, history, diplomacy and economy – Conference

Baller Zsófia — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:58:09 +0000

Hungary and Türkiye: 100 years of diplomatic relations, history, diplomacy and economy – Conference

Date: 02 December 2025 12:30 (CET)/ 14:30 (TRT)
Organiser: Institute of World Economics, ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies

Program

12:30 – Opening words: Magdolna Sass

12:40 – Gábor Fodor: 100 years of Hungarian-Turkish relations
13:10 – Erzsébet N. Rózsa: Hungary and its “eastern opening” policy
13:40 – Sedat Aybar and Magdolna Sass: Hungary-Türkiye Economic Relations: Trade, Investment and Strategic Cooperation
14:10 – Tamás Szigetvári: Hungary and the Organization of the Turkic States

14:40 – Closing words: Magdolna Sass

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Vendégváró – 2025. szeptember

Baller Zsófia — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:05:24 +0000

AZ ELTE KRTK Világgazdasági Intézet legutóbbi Vendégváró előadást

Adam Ambroziak, a Warsaw School of Economics professzora tartotta, Éltető Andreával közös projektjéből.

Előadásának címe: State aid patterns in Poland and Hungary

Időpont: 2025. szeptember 30. (kedd), 10.00-12.00

Helyszín: MTA Humán Tudományok Kutatóháza, 1097 Budapest, Tóth Kálmán u. 4. T. ép. 4. em. 24. tárgyaló

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Ricz, J., Éltető, A.: Paradoxes of Green Transition and Developmentalism: The Case of EV Battery Production in Hungary

tury.g — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:49:15 +0000

Paradoxes of Green Transition and Developmentalism: The Case of EV Battery Production in Hungary

Authors: Judit Ricz, Andrea Éltető

In: Problems of Post-Communism, 1–15.

DOI: 10.1080/10758216.2025.2459268

Abstract

Why does Hungary, a small peripheral economy within the EU, aspire to become the second-largest European battery producer by 2030? Our principal aim is to explain Hungary’s ambitious pursuit of the state-sponsored creation of this new sector. We argue that the Hungarian strategy does not align with the real developmental state approach and that the best way to understand it is to combine the dependency and illiberalism arguments, building on recent developments in the comparative capitalism field. The Hungarian case underscores the primary limitations of these theories in comprehending contemporary changes and challenges, including the misapplication of green industrial policy.

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Jaklič, A., Sass, M.: Foreign Direct Investment in Central and Eastern Europe After Two Decades of EU Enlargement: Slovenian and Hungarian Perspectives

tury.g — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:26:18 +0000

Foreign Direct Investment in Central and Eastern Europe After Two Decades of EU Enlargement: Slovenian and Hungarian Perspectives

Authors: Andreja Jaklič, Magdolna Sass

In: Acta Histriae, 32(3), 321-340.

Abstract

This article examines foreign direct investment (FDI) as an indicator of economic integration, focusing on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in the two decades they have been EU members. Although CEE countries have remained on the EU’s periphery and struggled with development gaps, they have attracted substantial FDI, especially in the first decade after accession, fuelling the growth of outward FDI and integration into global value chains. Despite CEE economies like Slovenia and Hungary having seen differences in their use of FDI, such investment and European integration will remain central to the region’s economic development, even amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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Sass, M., Vlčková, J.: The impact of state activism on domestic multinationals: The case of Czechia and Hungary

tury.g — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 14:01:34 +0000

The impact of state activism on domestic multinationals: The case of Czechia and Hungary

Authors: Magdolna Sass, Jana Vlčková

In: Competition & Change, 0(0), (2024)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10245294241300680

Abstract

This study examines how changing state activism has influenced the internationalization of Czech and Hungarian MNEs after the global financial crisis. Identifying four key channels – state ownership, business and regulatory environment, industrial policies, and ‘quiet politics’ – we note distinctions in state-business relationships and characteristics of multinationals between the two countries. Hungary experiences a surge in state activism, while Czechia faces relative stagnation with occasional setbacks. Over time, the industrial policy and quiet politics channels have become increasingly important. This is reflected in changes among the top Hungarian multinationals, with new entrants and new owners of existing ones, while no significant changes are observed among Czech MNEs. The study introduces the concept of ‘defensive internationalization’ as a response to an unstable business and political environment, showcasing long-lasting impact on the location of headquarters. The increasing role of industrial policies and new EU programs may enhance the state’s influence on MNEs, yet they also raise concerns about corruption and public fund diversion.

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Czina, V.: The effectiveness of the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism

tury.g — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 16:09:45 +0000

The effectiveness of the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism

Author: Veronika Czina

In: Intersections. East European Journal of Society and Politics, 10(1), 171-188.

DOI: 10.17356/ieejsp.v10i1.1212

Abstract

The effectiveness of post-accession conditionality within the EU has been of pivotal importance for the EU in past years. The European Union has plenty of tools for monitoring the compliance of EU Member States; however, when it comes to enforcement mechanisms, EU institutions perform poorly. Respect for the rule of law is especially crucial in this regard, as certain Member States (i.e. Poland and Hungary) have committed violations in this area. Hungary has been subject to several infringement procedures due to failure to comply with EU law, and the Article 7 procedure has even been activated against it. In 2020, the EU decided to connect rule-of-law violations to the EU budget disbursement by introducing the rule-of-law conditionality mechanism, which was launched against Hungary in 2022. This paper evaluates this conditionality mechanism through the example of Hungary and assesses whether it is more effective than the previous tools used to address rogue Member State behaviour and prevent continuous rule-of-law violations on a national level.

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