From Budapest to Washington: Examining the Erosion of Democracy

Originally aired June 30, 2024

Co-hosted by GWU’s Environmental and Energy Management Institute and the Security and Sustainability Forum, this Leadership in Our Time conversation features Zoltán Kész — former member of the Hungarian parliament and a fervent advocate for democratic principles — in conversation with host András Simonyi.

The discussion examines the mounting threats to democratic systems in both Europe and the United States, including electoral integrity in the 2024 US and European Parliament elections, the geopolitical implications of China’s growing global influence, and the risks posed by TikTok and other digital platforms to privacy and democratic discourse.

Speakers

Zoltán Kész

Former Member of Parliament, Hungary; Government Affairs Manager, Consumer Choice Center

Zoltán Kész is a former member of the Hungarian parliament and a fervent advocate for democratic principles. He serves as Government Affairs Manager of the Consumer Choice Center, a global movement promoting consumer advocacy and open markets, and is a leading voice on the erosion of democratic norms in Central Europe and beyond.

András Simonyi

Former Ambassador of Hungary to the United States; Host, Leadership in Our Time

András Simonyi served as Hungary’s Ambassador to the United States and to NATO. He is the former Managing Director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at SAIS Johns Hopkins University and host of SSF’s Leadership in Our Time series, convening global leaders on security, democracy, and sustainability.