What is the future of the European Union?
The Inquiry
BBC
4.6 • 1.7K Ratings
🗓️ 12 May 2026
⏱️ 24 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The recent election result in Hungary has been seen as a welcome relief within the European Union.
The bloc of 27 nations has, at times, felt frustrated with the country for blocking what the other 26 members have agreed to do, especially regarding financial support for Ukraine.
Now the EU has been able to push through a loan to Ukraine of more than US$100bn, and some observers believe the union’s turbulent years are behind it.
As it marks 10 years since the United Kingdom voted to leave, and with Montenegro expected to soon join, this week, what is the future of the European Union?’
Contributors: Dr Monika Sus, professor at the Polish Academy of Sciences and at the Robert Schuman Centre of the European University Institute in Florence, Italy Michael Geary, professor of European history at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway Catherine E. de Vries, author How Europe Survives: The Adaptability and Resilience of a Continent in Peril, vice dean of the school for politics, economics and global affairs at IE University of Madrid, Spain Dr Andi Hoxhaj, lecturer in law and director of the European law and LLM programme at King's College, London, UK
Presenter: Daniel Rosney Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: James Bradshaw Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey
(Photo: European Union flags. Credit: Reuters)
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:05.6 | Welcome to the Inquiry from the BBC World Service with me, Daniel Rosny. |
| 0:10.7 | Each week, one question for expert witnesses and an answer. |
| 0:15.8 | We have won the legitimacy to build a more humane |
| 0:26.4 | Hungary for every single Hungarian citizen. |
| 0:31.2 | In April, Hungary voted for change. |
| 0:34.1 | The landlocked Central European country, which had been ruled for 16 years by Viktor Orban, |
| 0:39.3 | delivered a landslide victory to pay to Major. |
| 0:44.2 | Celebrations were heard beyond the country's borders, including in Brussels, the home of the European Union, |
| 0:50.4 | the EU. |
| 0:51.3 | The people of Hungary have spoken and they have reclaimed their European path. It is a victory |
| 0:58.4 | for fundamental freedoms. For many partners, Hungary has been seen as a difficult member of the EU. |
| 1:06.2 | Its new leader, though, has signalled his aims to reset those relations. |
| 1:15.5 | Once again, the bloc of 27 nations appears united, |
| 1:18.2 | especially in its support for Ukraine. |
| 1:22.3 | With this new administration taking shape in Budapest and almost a decade since the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU, |
| 1:26.9 | many are wondering if the turbulent |
| 1:28.6 | years are over. This week on the inquiry, we're asking, what is the future of the European Union? |
| 1:37.6 | Part 1. Now or never. |
| 1:42.1 | For centuries, Hungary was often controlled from beyond its borders and survived various |
| 1:47.6 | invasions. After the end of the Second World War, it fell under communist rule for more than 40 years. |
| 1:54.4 | Then it began its journey as a liberal democracy. Its feet were in the east, but its hands reached |
... |
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