An academic debate titled “Is there a future for liberal democracy in Central and Eastern Europe?” will be held at Loughborough University on 9 November, hosted by the Institute of Advanced Studies.

The region of Central and Eastern Europe has recently experienced significant democratic backsliding. The rise of authoritarian political parties and leaders to power in countries like Hungary or Poland has brought an unprecedented attack on key democratic institutions, including the media.

The roundtable discussion will elaborate on the factors behind the ‘illiberal turn’ currently observed in these countries as well as other European countries, alongside discussing the future prospects for liberal democracy in the region.

Dr Václav Štětka, an academic in the Department of Social Sciences at the University will moderate the roundtable, featuring speakers András Bozoki (Central European University), Miklós Sükösd (University of Copenhagen) and Seán Hanley (University College London).

Of the event, Štětka said: “Facing the challenges of right-wing populism and anti-liberal politics, democracy is in jeopardy in many parts of the world.

“The post-transition countries of Central and Eastern Europe are particularly vulnerable to these risks, given the fragility of their democratic institutions, especially the media. In order to preserve democracy in the region, it is important to understand the determinants of its current decline, which is exactly what this roundtable aims to discuss.”

This event is organised by Loughborough University’s Institute of Advanced Studies and is open to all.