Balázs Orbán, Hungary’s Political Director and a political scientist, shares insights into his role and the country's unique identity. He discusses Hungary's distinctive approach to immigration and family policies aimed at increasing birth rates and strengthening cultural pride. The conversation also touches on Hungary's rich soccer history and the interplay between athletics and national identity. Personal anecdotes about influential Hungarian figures and the significance of academic connections further enrich the dialogue.

Balázs Orbán, a prominent Hungarian MP and advisor to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, dives into Hungary's hardline nationalist policies and their potential influence on Europe’s far-right movements. He discusses the ongoing struggle between Hungarian sovereignty and EU pressures, spotlighting tensions over migration and democracy. Orbán also addresses Hungary's demographic challenges and family policies, advocating for a focus on native growth rather than immigration. He navigates the complexities of Hungary's ties with authoritarian regimes, revealing the intricate balance of global politics.

Sign up for Intelligence Squared Premium here: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/ for ad-free listening, bonus content, early access and much more. See below for details.Just last week Giorgia Meloni, leader of the party Brothers of Italy, was sworn in as Italy’s first female prime minister. Her harshest critics have described her as a fascist threat to Italy and to Europe, to the economy, to democracy, and to human rights. Meanwhile others have rejoiced at her premiership, including Hungary’s leader Viktor Orbán, describing Meloni’s victory as a “big day for the European right”.On this episode of The Sunday Debate we're asking, what does Giorgia Meloni mean for Europe? Joining us we have David Broder, Europe editor of American political magazine Jacobin; Luigi Scazzieri, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform; and Balázs Orbán, political director for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Our host for this episode is journalist and broadcaster Philippa Thomas.…We are incredibly grateful for your support. To become an Intelligence Squared Premium subscriber, follow the link: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/ Here’s a reminder of the benefits you’ll receive as a subscriber: Ad-free listening, because we know some of you would prefer to listen without interruption  One early episode per week Two bonus episodes per month A 25% discount on IQ2+, our exciting streaming service, where you can watch and take part in events live at home and enjoy watching past events on demand and without ads  A 15% discount and priority access to live, in-person events in London, so you won’t miss out on tickets Our premium monthly newsletter  Intelligence Squared Merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices