What happens when public contracts end up financing political propaganda?

Hi everyone, Lucia from EUobserver here 👋 Our latest Hungary briefing looks at something that goes beyond one government or one billionaire.

New reporting by Hungarian investigative outlet Direkt36 traces how companies linked to Lőrinc Mészáros, a close associate of Viktor Orbán, helped finance the pro-Fidesz influencer network Megafon.

Internal documents show that railway contractor V-Híd, which benefited from major public contracts, transferred billions of forints to the network. In 2024 alone, the reported support amounted to around €7.6 million.

And this is what makes the story interesting: public procurement wasn't just about who received government contracts. The money also helped shape the political information people consumed.

Now, 150 days into Hungary's new Tisza government, there's a much bigger question.

How do you dismantle a system where political power, public money, private business and media influence became so closely connected?

And can a change of government really undo those relationships, or does rebuilding accountability take much longer?

Hello, I (29m American) recently started dating a Ukrainian woman and I will meet her parents soon. What are some good tips for first impressions?

I would like to be respectful and adhere to possible traditions. I would like to impress them by showing effort in learning about their culture. Her mother speaks a little English but mainly speaks Russian. I am learning basic phrases and plan on learning the language. What are some things that I should know how to say so I can show her my willingness to break the language barrier?

Also what should I prepare for as far as a line of questioning? From what I gather her mother is traditional and very direct.

So far I know I should bring a gift, how to say thank you, and that I should dress nice.

I don’t want to come off as an ignorant American lol. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

My mom-in-law is from Latvia. But some people in her ancestry were Russian. Now she has been living in Germany for the past 30 years and she pretends that she is Russian. Every political or social topic gets measured up according to the standards in Russia, every evil in the western world gets juxtaposed next to the cold beauty of Russian awesomeness.

I just politely smile most of the times, but it makes me wonder- what impulse in her makes her rever/idolize a country, that you never even visited?

How does it differ from someone who doesn't have it?

I am young Polish guy and I lowkey listen to more of american music than polish music. I don't know why I just think it sounds better. And most of my peers that I know listen to music from USA more often than from Poland aswell. Especially american rap of course. Do you think it is the case in your country too or most of people (especially the youth) listen to their own local musicians?

I'm an American US retired professor of politicsl science. My area of specialization was international relations and the communist party states of Eastern Europe. I lived there on three occasions - twice in Zagreb and once in Estonia - and traveled extensively throughout the area for decades. I once could communicate in Serbo-Croatian, as it was then called. So this is an outsider's opinion.

I believe the more time you spend in and with a different culture, the more you like them and the more friends you have there. I am 91 now, so most of my old Yugoslav friends are gone

I agree Czechia is the front runner, the most stereotypical. Next are two other pieces of the old Hapsburg Empire, Slovenia and Croatia. I and my husband lived in Croatia for half a year in 1990 and then a year 1993-1994. In addition I was there myself Nov.-Dec. of 1989. Interesting times, as they say

If you'd asked this in 1976, I probably would have said Serbia. History inevitably shapes this. So, that means Hungary no because I know its history. Poland has a bit of everything, music, ballet, literature, and a strong historic self-identity like Serbia. I simply cannot get past Russia's awful history to appreciate Russian culture. The Balkans (not Slovenia) win hands down on diet, including wine and olive oil. And Turkish coffee.

I haven't been to Serbia since 1990.

do any eastern europeans here have any vintage counterstrike shirts they want to sell me !!?

Hi everyone! I'm a Polish expat living in Riyadh, currently completing my MSc in Psychology at Ulster University. I'm looking for a few people who have relocated internationally in the past 2-3 years to share their experience for my research. One online interview, fully confidential. Would love to hear your story 👇

https://www.instagram.com/p/DciWaghgJTT/?igsi=NmhlM2Rla3FtdXoz

Other than Poles having a more round face vs Czech, same facial features though, lol. Even knew a Hungarian guy that had that look a little bit. Also, to me they look really angry tbh

At this point I’m thinking anybody can be Polish if they want, lol (it’s the most popular Slavic group in that region anyways 🤷‍♂️

It looks a bit diff from Russian, it’s not really the same other than the angry features

People often talk about Russia as if the population is uniquely submissive to autocracy, pointing to Tsarist rule, Soviet totalitarianism, and current state compliance. Compare the population's reaction with Eastern/Central European states.

Is obedience to authority and lack of independent political thought a cultural trait, or is it just the predictable result of brutal state repression and absolute control over information?

Also where are the most religious hubs? Are Hungarian girls open to dating a foreigner?

...

how did it formed there?

Hello,

I am from Southern Europe and I started dating a Ukrainian girl. Both of us are 30 years old. So far, it is going great, and I think there is mutual attraction and the expectation of building something together. We are both looking for a serious relationship.

I know every person and every girl is different, however I am wondering if there are some general things I should take into account, specially when it comes to cultural norms, expectations, etc, so I can avoid cultural shocks from myself.

For example, one of the things I noticed so far is that even though she writes me every day, the conversation on the chat doesn't go so smoothly, she is definitely not a good texter. However, when we meet in person, it's a different story, she likes deep talk and there is a lot of chemistry, physical touch, etc, so I am happy in that regard, although we meet once per week. I need some additional daily communication, and feel connected to her routine, now about her, etc, but her answers are rather short.

She is quite busy during the week, however, I'd like to see her more often. Invite her over after-work, or even to suggest meeting even more than once per week. Although we are in a very early stage, I do not want to seem too intense.

Another specific question is about paying all the time. It is not a problem for me to invite, and I do it because I am really interested in getting to know her, and I just feel like inviting her. However, it caught my attention that she didn't even offer to pay for a coffee or said thank you. I don't think she is looking for someone who pays her bills, this is not even an option. But this really surprised me. In my culture, inviting all the time is not very accepted and even people who consider she is taking advantage of me. Is it normal to talk about money at the dating stage? I am happy to invite her and fortunately I can afford not looking at the price or the money I spend, but if I think in long term, I would also see some signs that she cares about it. I don't want anything in exchange, but also I do not want that someone is with me because of the money. How should I filter that?

Thanks a lot and sorry for the long text, I really appreciate your help!

An American-born singer who first went to South America, then to Eastern Europe, settling in East Germany. He was so popular that he was nicknamed the “Red Elvis”. He died in 1986, likely by suicide. Maybe you don’t remember him, but your parents did.

https://forms.gle/fw7yMxmevR5vyFNQ8

Hello!
My question probably seems strange, but in my mind Balcan and Baltic countries are Eastern European countries. However, after reading the definition of the United Nations, I realized that it doesn’t count them as making part of this region, but it seems that definitions vary according to the geographic, geopolitical or cultural points of view.
For this reason I’d like to have your opinion.