Am 10. Mai sollten in Polen die Präsidentschaftswahlen abgehalten werden. Die regierende PiS-Partei war entschlossen, die Abstimmung trotz des Ausbruchs der COVID-19-Pandemie durchzuführen. In letzter Minute sah sie sich jedoch gezwungen, die Wahl abzusagen, da der politische Druck zu groß geworden war. Der Zustand der Demokratie und Rechtsstaatlichkeit in dem Land wird bereits seit einiger Zeit kritisiert. Im Interview erklärt Maria Skóra, Leiterin des Programmbereichs Internationaler Dialog des Progressiven Zentrums, wie die Regierung die aktuelle Gesundheitskrise zu ihrem Vorteil nutzt – und wie dies die Demokratie untergräbt.

The ebook examines internal developments within the Visegrad Group and sketches scenarios for its engagement at the European level. Distinguished scholars and renowned political figures from the region contributed to this publication, presented jointly by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies and Das Progressive Zentrum.

On November 11, the renowned ‘A Soul for Europe’ conference took place at the premises of Radialsystem in Berlin. After an introductory panel various topics were discussed in parallel workshops sessions an at the European Marketplace, following three thematic tracks: Cities and Urban Change, Europe From the Bottom-Up and Arts & Politics – A Good Match? This year, Das Progressive Zentrum had the pleasure of co-hosting this extraordinary event.

The Visegrad Four has aroused the minds and hearts of political spectators and actors alike lately: From a rather innocent and inconspicuous platform for informal regional cooperation, the V4 has evolved into a perceived antithesis of the European political mainstream in recent years. Yet, is this a mere snapshot of the current state of the V4 or a lasting development? What does the future hold for the V4? And, more importantly, how can progressive forces actively shape this future? Responses of our experts at the second international roundtable on ‘Future Scenarios for the Visegrad Group’ were mixed. Yet, on one aspect there was broad agreement: It is about high time to reinvent progressive politics – both spatially and thematically.

Has the Visegrad Group turned into a unified alliance of enemies to EU integration and refugees? Not according to the experts at our roundtable. Some of them even fear a potential implosion of the group.