logo

Social Democracy

New Book: The Social Democratic Parties in the Visegrád countries
2023-07-02

New Book: The Social Democratic Parties in the Visegrád countries

This book, edited by Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training, and András Bíró-Nagy, Director at Policy Solutions, and published by Palgrave Macmillan, analyses three decades of political developments within the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.

More
Rate your state - Public services in Hungary
2022-12-02

Rate your state - Public services in Hungary

This research explores how Hungarians perceive the quality of public services and what changes they have experienced during the 12 years of the Orbán government.

More
Conference: Rate your state - Public services in Hungary
2022-11-25

Conference: Rate your state - Public services in Hungary

Book launch of “Rate your state: Public services in Hungary ” – a new publication by Policy Solutions. The event will take place on 1 December 2022.

More
Progressive Governance Summit 2022
2022-10-13

Progressive Governance Summit 2022

Policy Solutions is the official Hungarian partner of Progressive Governance Summit. Rewatch the highlights of Europe's largest conference for progressive politics!

More
Towards a social democratic century?
2022-10-05

Towards a social democratic century?

New book on how European and global social democracy can steer a course through the crises, featuring a chapter by our director András Bíró-Nagy on Hungary.

More
Covid-19 and Crisis Management: How Hungarians Experienced the Past Year
2021-04-22

Covid-19 and Crisis Management: How Hungarians Experienced the Past Year

This publication reveals how Hungarian society has experienced the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they evaluate the Orbán government’s crisis management efforts.

More
New publication: The prospects of green-left politics in Hungary
2020-10-21

New publication: The prospects of green-left politics in Hungary

This publication presents the opportunities for green-left politics in Hungary in the context of the economic and social crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More
The prospects of green-left politics in Hungary - Online book launch on 21 October 2020
2020-10-07

The prospects of green-left politics in Hungary - Online book launch on 21 October 2020

We cordially invite you to the online book launch of “The prospects of green-left politics in Hungary”, a joint publication by Policy Solutions and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

More
Progressive Governance Summit 2020
2020-06-10

Progressive Governance Summit 2020

As official partners of the Progressive Governance Summit, we highly recommend to join the discussion between 15 and 19 June 2020 about a progressive agenda for a new normality in the post-pandemic world.

More
New book: Progressive Answers to Populism
2019-02-17

New book: Progressive Answers to Populism

The central objective of this book is to offer potential and effective answers to NGOs, politicians or anyone who wants to counter populism.

More
Conference invitation: Political Values of the Hungarian Society - From death penalty to universal health care
2018-06-19

Conference invitation: Political Values of the Hungarian Society - From death penalty to universal health care

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Új Egyenlőség online magazine and Policy Solutions cordially invite you to their joint Public Discussion, entitled: Political Values of the Hungarian Society - From death penalty to universal health care

More
It's about credibility, not values. Social democratic values in Hungary
2018-06-05

It's about credibility, not values. Social democratic values in Hungary

Policy Solutions considers it as an absolute priority that at the beginning of the new parliamentary term the conclusions on which the opposition can establish its strategy for the next years should be made on the basis of facts and figures. “Social democratic values in Hungary”, the joint publication of Policy Solutions and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung aims to contribute to this process by surveying the public acceptance of the key pillars of social democratic values in Hungary.

More
Conference – A new path for the centre-left in Central and Eastern Europe?
2016-11-16

Conference – A new path for the centre-left in Central and Eastern Europe?

We cordially invite you to the joint conference of Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), Policy Solutions and Táncsics Foundation entitled ’A new path for the centre-left in Central and Eastern Europe?’. Date and time of the event: 25 November 2016 (Friday), 10:00-15:00. Venue: Akadémia Klub (1051 Budapest, Széchenyi tér 9.)

More
Conference: Political Attitudes of the Millennial Generation in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe
2016-03-23

Conference: Political Attitudes of the Millennial Generation in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe

The Policy Solutions and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) cordially invite you to their joint conference, entitled ‘Political Attitudes of the Millennial Generation in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe'.

More
Populism and migration: Challenges for the left
2016-01-27

Populism and migration: Challenges for the left

European politics has become dominated both by new populist actors and the refugee crisis. If the left is to live up to these two challenges in the coming months and years, it needs to re-establish its capacity to set the political agenda away from questions of immigration and security. Tamás Boros' analysis in the Policy Network Observatory.

More
Hungarian Politics in 2015
2016-01-21

Hungarian Politics in 2015

This publication is a comprehensive overview of developments, events and trends in Hungary in 2015. It focuses on four broad areas.

More
Hungarian Politics in 2015 - Book launch and panel discussion
2016-01-11

Hungarian Politics in 2015 - Book launch and panel discussion

We cordially invite you to the official book launch of “Hungarian Politics in 2015”, a joint annual review of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Policy Solutions.

More
Policy Solutions became full member of the European FEPS Network
2015-09-21

Policy Solutions became full member of the European FEPS Network

We proudly announce that Policy Solutions has been approved as Hungarian member of the European Network of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS). Consequently, Policy Solutions and FEPS are going to work together in numerous research programmes, especially in the fields of populism, European democracy and contemporary social democracy.

More
THE FAR-RIGHT AND THE MAINSTREAM
2015-06-18

THE FAR-RIGHT AND THE MAINSTREAM

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Policy Solutions have jointly decided to hold a conference entitled ’The far-right and the mainstream’. The conference aims to provide an in-depth investigation of the interaction between the far-right and mainstream politics.

More
International think tank meeting on inequalities and populism in the EU
2015-06-18

International think tank meeting on inequalities and populism in the EU

In following up on the success of our international think tank meeting on the state of the European left-wing parties last November, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung - Budapest and Policy Solutions organized a meeting on the subject of Inequalities in the European Union, which was held in Budapest on 10-11 June 2015.

More
International Conference on Illiberal Democracies in Europe
2014-11-19

International Conference on Illiberal Democracies in Europe

We cordially invite you to our international conference entitled “Illiberal democracies in Europe”.The event will be held on the 28th of November 2014, and is organized by the Brussels-based Foundation for European Progressive Studies together with Táncsics Mihály Foundation. The event’s professional partner is Policy Solutions.

More
Facing Political Extremism in Visegrad Countries
2014-09-18

Facing Political Extremism in Visegrad Countries

On 23rd July 2014 in Budapest, Policy Solutions and the European Values Think Tank (EV TT), a Prague-based public policy research institute, organized a National Seminar on political communication of integration of minorities, consisting of a roundtable discussion and public debate.

More
Invitation: „Why and How Should Politicians Communicate Integration of Minorities?
2014-07-21

Invitation: „Why and How Should Politicians Communicate Integration of Minorities?

We are pleased to invite you on behalf of European Values Think-Tank and Policy Solutions, in cooperation with Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies to a Public Debate, titled „Why and How Should Politicians Communicate Integration of Minorities?".

More
ELECTION HAS POTENTIAL TO RESTRUCTURE THE ENTIRE LEFT
2014-06-07

ELECTION HAS POTENTIAL TO RESTRUCTURE THE ENTIRE LEFT

The election is over and it has ended in a clear victory for the governing party, Fidesz. This was the first sentence of our analysis in April, and it is the first sentence again. Apart from that, the election was primarily an internecine competition on the left and a battle between the far-right and the left. MSZP loses the former and the left wins the latter.

More
Policy Solutions' analysis: The left could win next year's EP elections
2013-09-17

Policy Solutions' analysis: The left could win next year's EP elections

At the 2014 elections to the European Parliament, the European Socialists could attain a relative majority of votes, thereby overtaking the conservative People's Party for the first time in two decades - thus a comprehensive analysis by the Hungarian political research institute Policy Solutions, which reviewed the state of public opinion in all 28 member states.

More
Assembling the anti-Orbán coalition
2013-05-07

Assembling the anti-Orbán coalition

With the agreement between Gordon Bajnai and Attila Mesterházy, the left is finally making genuine advances towards an electoral alliance for 2014. But many key issues remain unresolved and there are numerous crucial details that might lead to conflicts down the road.

More
After 23 October, fragmented left a bit more united
2012-10-29

After 23 October, fragmented left a bit more united

Gordon Bajnai came close to declaring his candidacy for prime minister, but ultimately shrank back from a pledge to run.

More
Bajnai back in the game
2012-10-15

Bajnai back in the game

The political parties on the left are lucky that they had no major events planned for the 23 October commemoration of the 1956 revolution, for they would have been upstaged by the pre-announced announcement of former Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai’s return to political life.

More
The state of the left-wing alliance tango
2012-09-11

The state of the left-wing alliance tango

More than the polling results of individual opposition parties, the question of whether a comprehensive left-wing alliance can be formed has emerged as the crucial issue in terms of evaluating the potential for a government change in 2014.

More
Opposition at halftime
2012-06-18

Opposition at halftime

At halftime, the opposition is in much the same bad shape as Fidesz.

More
Is Gordon Bajnai planning a comeback?
2012-01-22

Is Gordon Bajnai planning a comeback?

Though he took the helm in troubled times, Gordon Bajnai’s premiership is widely considered a brief period of stability in the long period of chaos that has characterised Hungarian politics over the past years.

More
The first all-inclusive left-wing protest
2012-01-16

The first all-inclusive left-wing protest

On January 2nd Fidesz took a little break and celebrated itself and its new Fundamental Laws at the Budapest Opera. After slightly over a week without a demonstration, the opposition, too, gathered for the occasion, though in a less celebratory mood than the official guests.

More
The first streetwise player goes political
2011-10-31

The first streetwise player goes political

Well-attended as civil rallies may be, in the long-run Fidesz can only be defeated at the ballot box. One of the prominent organisations behind the street demonstrations, 4K!, has drawn the appropriate conclusion and is turning into a political party. Others may follow.

More
A fair weather opposition?
2011-03-21

A fair weather opposition?

The demonstrations of March 15th were above all an opportunity to demonstrate strength. As was expected, Fidesz succeeded. Surprisingly, the left-of-centre opposition displayed impressive strength in the streets for the first time in years. As of yet, this opposition is not willing to align itself politically.

More
Taking the fight for the Constitutional Court to the streets
2010-11-15

Taking the fight for the Constitutional Court to the streets

The opposition can’t yet sway the masses, but Fidesz may gradually awaken the left-wing base from its deep slumber. Just in case, the left leaning parties and organisations are vying to offer them a wide and growing selection of leaders and organisations.

More
Rumours about the death of MSZP are greatly exaggerated
2010-10-30

Rumours about the death of MSZP are greatly exaggerated

For the Socialists, there is a long tunnel ahead and it is far from clear whether the flickering lights in the distance herald redemption or just another station in the purgatory.

More
‘Celebrity Survivor’ Time for Remaining Socialist Mayors
2010-09-24

‘Celebrity Survivor’ Time for Remaining Socialist Mayors

Meet the most prominent MSZP candidates who may put small dents in Fidesz’ aura of invincibility and find out why.

More
Exit Demszky
2010-09-01

Exit Demszky

Budapest’s longtime mayor was extremely successful politically, but he outstayed his welcome.

More

Rate your state - Public services in Hungary

This research explores how Hungarians perceive the quality of public services, and what changes they have experienced during the 12 years of the Orbán governments.

Download analysis

Covid-19 and Crisis Management: How Hungarians Experienced the Past Year

The goal of the joint research by Policy Solutions and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung was to find out how Hungarian society has experienced the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they evaluate various aspects of the Orbán government’s crisis management

Download analysis

The prospects of green-left politics in Hungary

This publication presents the opportunities for green-left politics in Hungary in the context of the economic and social crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download analysis

Progressive Answers to Populism

Why Europeans vote for populist parties and how Progressives should respond to this challenge

Download analysis

The Hungarian Dream

What kind of future do Hungarians dream of for themselves and their country?

Download analysis

It's about credibility, not values. Social democratic values in Hungary

Policy Solutions - FES Budapest research report on the popularity of social democratic values in Hungary and the credibility of political parties in left-wing issues.

Download analysis

“The Flexible Solidarity”

Policy Solutions - FEPS study on how progressive parties handled the migration crisis in central Europe

Download analysis

The Policy Specialists, the Defenders of the Nation, and the Invisible Parliamentarians

Executive summary of the FES – Policy Solutions study on the activities of Hungarian MEPs since 2014

Download analysis

Regime change, democracy and Hungarian society

Policy Solutions’ study aims to present Hungarian public attitude concerning socioeconomic changes twenty-five years after the regime change.

Download analysis

The State of Social Democratic Parties in Central and Eastern Europe

The study presents the apparent similarities and differences in the region through case studies and a comparison of social democratic parties in seven Central and Eastern European countries.

Download analysis

Politics and Classes in Hungary

Photobook on Hungarian Voting Groups

Download analysis

The Political Communication of the Refugee Crisis in Central and Eastern Europe

A study reviewing how politicians in central and eastern Europe have responded to the current refugee crisis.

Download analysis

The Political Values of the Millennial Generation in the Central and Eastern European Region

The results of the Millennial Dialogue international youth research in regional comparison

Download analysis

Inequality and populism in the European Union

Data and their interpretation for the FES-Policy Solutions International Think Tank meeting

Download analysis

Stuck in second place forever?

An analysis and interpretation of the social democratic parties’ results in the 2014 EP election

Download analysis

The European Centre-Left and the Public Mood

Analysis of the Eurobarometer data on European public mood

Download analysis

ANALYSIS: ELECTION HAS POTENTIAL TO RESTRUCTURE THE ENTIRE LEFT

Hungarian Politics In-Depth - Election Edition, 26 May 2014

Download analysis

The Rise of Euroskepticism and Possible Responses prior to the 2014 European Parliament Elections

Policy Solutions' study for the Foundation for European Progressive Studies

Download analysis

ELECTION AFTERMATH LEAVES LEFT WITH STRATEGIC DILEMMAS

Hungarian Politics In-Depth - Election Edition, 15-30 April 2014

Download analysis

SENTENCE EXTENDED: THE LEFT STILL STRUGGLES TO BE FORGIVEN

Hungarian Politics In-Depth - Election Edition, 1-14 March 2014

Download analysis

RENEWAL OF THE LEFT-WING ALLIANCE

Hungarian Politics In-Depth - Election Edition, 1-14 January 2014

Download analysis

The Alliance of the Hungarian Opposition: Burying the Hatchet

Policy Solutions' Working paper for the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

Download analysis

Assembling the anti-Orbán coalition

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, May, 2013

Download analysis

After 23 October, fragmented left a bit more united

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, 2012, Week 43

Download analysis

Bajnai back in the game

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, 2012, Week 42

Download analysis

The state of the left-wing alliance tango

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, 2012, Week 37

Download analysis

Opposition at halftime

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, 2012, Week 25

Download analysis

The Situation of Roma in Hungary

Executive summary of the Policy Solutions study

Download analysis

Is Gordon Bajnai planning a comeback?

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, 2012, Week 3

Download analysis

The first "all-inclusive" left-wing protest

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, 2012, Week 2

Download analysis

Auf getrennten Wegen – die MSZP nach der Spaltung

Policy Solutions' analysis for the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in German

Download analysis

Rumours about the death of MSZP are greatly exaggerated

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, Week 44

Download analysis

‘Celebrity Survivor’ Time for Remaining Socialist Mayors

Hungarian Politics In-Depth, Week 39

Download analysis

About Us

Policy Solutions is a progressive political research institute based in Budapest. It was founded in 2008 and it is committed to the values of liberal democracy, solidarity, equal opportunity, sustainability and European integration. The focus of Policy Solutions’ work is on understanding political processes in Hungary and the European Union. Among the pre-eminent areas of our research are the investigation of how the quality of democracy evolves, the analysis of factors driving euroscepticism, populism and the far-right, and election research. 

More

Facebook

Follow us on Facebook!

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter!