Commentary
Democratic Security
Bulgaria Votes – Russia Hopes for a New Orbán
16 April 2026
Enlargement is not charity for the Balkans. It is Europe’s security policy.
‘We know they lie. They know we know they lie – they don’t care, we say we care, but we do nothing.’
This line from Adam Curtis’ documentary, itself drawing on Alexei Yurchak’s concept of hypernormalisation in the late Soviet era, could easily describe today’s protracted EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans – a ritual reduced to hollow gestures.
Yurchak showed how late socialism rested on a paradox: citizens endlessly reproduced the system’s rigid rituals and language, but this very repetition emptied them of meaning, exposing a façade of permanence that everyone both upheld and quietly displaced. Aleksandar Vučić’s European tours exemplify this dynamic – warmly received by Emmanuel Macron and others abroad, even as tens of thousands protest his hybrid regime, corruption and façade of lies at home.
Subscribe
Democratic security comes at a price. What is yours? By subscribing or donating now gain access to analysis, forecasts and scenarios by leading analysts and reporters who monitor democratic risks and develop policy debate from Central Europe on Central Europe.
MonthlyVAT included
See all details
- Full access to articles and all reports in PDF
- Weekly outlook on democratic security in CEE delivered by e-mail
- Weekly newsletter with essential highlights
- Invitations to all Visegrad Insight events online and offline
AnnualVAT included
See all details
- Individual subscribers only. Check our CORPORATE OFFER below
- Almost 17% discount (12 EUR off monthly cost if paid annually)
- Full access to articles and all reports in PDF
- Weekly outlook on democratic security in CEE delivered by e-mail
- Weekly newsletter with essential highlights
- Invitations to all Visegrad Insight events online and offline
Institutional
See all details
- Access to all articles for your team
- Access to all Reports for your team
- Every Monday a Weekly Outlook with an update on key developments in Central Europe delivered by e-mail
- Every Thursday a newsletter with the most important highlights and invitations
- Personal invitations to Visegrad Insight Events
- Foresight, policy, and risk analysis reports (on-demand)
I am a representative of an institution/business. Is there a corporate offer?
The annual subscription for up to ten institutional users: EUR 999
GO TO CHECKOUT
For a tailor-made offer email us: contact@visegradinsight.eu
- Access to all articles for your team
- Access to all Reports for your team
- Every Monday a Weekly Outlook with an update on key developments in Central Europe delivered by e-mail
- Every Thursday a newsletter with the most important highlights and invitations
- Personal invitations to Visegrad Insight Events
- Foresight, policy, and risk analysis reports (on-demand)
Intelligence prepared by a group of Visegrad Insight Fellows from all across
Can I receive an invoice?
Yes. You will receive a receipt immediately after purchase and a VAT invoice upon request. The subscription amount includes tax. In case of a donation, there is no tax.
Are my credit card details safe?
Yes. The payment is processed by STRIPE www.stripe.com entrusted also by Amazon, Zoom, Booking.com and used by other global NGOs and businesses in the world. We do not store your credit card details.
How modify or cancel my subscription?
At any moment you can manage your subscription and account details. Sign in to modify or cancel.
