László ANDOR

FEPS Secretary General

László Andor is a Hungarian economist, and former EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (2010-2014). Since stepping down from the Commission, he has been head of department of economic policy at Corvinus University (Budapest), Senior Fellow at Hertie School of Governance (Berlin) and a visiting professor at ULB (Brussels) as well as Sciences Po (Paris). He also became member in various think tanks (EPC, RAND Europe, Friends of Europe) in an advisory capacity.

Between 1991 and 2005, Andor taught political science and economic policy in Budapest, and was editor of the progressive social science journal Eszmélet. He was also a regular columnist for the weekly business magazine Figyelő and the daily Népszava. He has authored, edited or co-edited a dozen books in Hungary, including on economic and political history, comparative economics and globalization. Andor has also taught at Rutgers (State University of New Jersey, USA) as Visiting Fulbright Professor (1997-8) and worked as an adviser for the World Bank on SAPRI (Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiative). He also worked as an adviser for the Budget Committee of the Hungarian Parliament (1998-9) and the Prime Minister’s Office (2002-5). From 2005 to 2010, he was a Member of the Board of Directors of the EBRD (London), representing the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia.

Andor holds a degree in Economic Sciences from Karl Marx (now Corvinus) University, an MA in Development Economics from the University of Manchester, and PhD from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (1995). He was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa at Sofia University of National and World Economy and the Legion of Honour by the French President in 2014.

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Find all publications by László ANDOR
Publications
03/03/2026

European sovereignty and the social dimension

Reasserting Europe’s social-democratic model in turbulent times
29/01/2026

Progressive Yearbook 2026

In an eerie manner, 2025 resembled the ‘time of monsters’, which, according to the great […]
15/12/2025

The great unravelling

“The great unravelling” examines the challenges that the new era of globalisation poses for progressive […]
04/08/2025

Next Left Vol. 16

The Progressive Compass
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Progressive Post
07/05/2026

Competitiveness is nothing without social rights

Five years after the Porto Social Summit, European leaders must remember that deregulation will only […]
15/04/2026

Spain alone?

Among European heads of state and government, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez alone went out […]
04/09/2025

Europe’s aestas horribilis

This would have been the time for the EU to prove that ‘strategic autonomy’ is […]
13/03/2025

The EU and the Ukrainian people deserve more than armaments

The recent push by the European Commission towards a sizable ‘ReArm EU’ programme that boosts […]
22/01/2025

The discreet charm of the plutocracy

As the political year 2025 begins with the inauguration of the recycled US President Donald […]
06/09/2024

Europe, hold your nerves

Following the election of European Parliament leadership and the nominations of commissioners, Brussels’ attention slowly […]
26/06/2024

Hungarians hide the pain

Today, the most popular Hungarian internationally is a 78-year-old meme star called András Arató, more […]
19/01/2024

Europe’s revamping is underway

After two years of war in Ukraine, several geopolitical consequences of Vladimir Putin’s fatal decision […]
04/09/2023

The wheels are coming off

Frans Timmermans has stepped down as executive vice president of the European Commission. Margrethe Vestager […]
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Find all events with László ANDOR
Events
19/06/2026
Porto, Portugal

Social Europe is our target

High-level conference in Porto
23/03/2026
Skopje, North Macedonia (Expert meeting)

European populism and anti-gender narratives

Across Europe, democratic institutions are facing increasing pressure from illiberal populism, with gender equality emerging […]
25 - 26/02/2026
FEPS HQ (Expert meeting - Hybrid)

Progressive Migration Group – Brussels

People, pathways and partnership: Reframing of AU–EU migration cooperation
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News
13/04/2026

Hungary’s civic revolution

FEPS' commentary on the outcomes of the Hungarian election
03/03/2026

Wag the dog?

FEPS commentary on the US-Israel attack on Iran
16/12/2025

FEPS commentary on the EU Affordable Housing Plan

The announcement of the EU Affordable Housing Plan by Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is a historic milestone […]
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In the media

Ue, la competitività non è nulla senza i diritti sociali

by La Repubblica 06/05/2026
"In the EU, competitiveness is nothing without social rights" In this article published in La Repubblica, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (part of FEPS' Bureau) remind European leaders that deregulation will only make Europe poorer and that only social sovereignty will make it stronger

A competitividade não é nada sem direitos sociais

by Publico 06/05/2026
"Competitiveness is nothing without social rights." Writing for Público, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen), and Anna Diamantopoúlou (FEPS Bureau) argue that competitiveness is hollow without social rights. They caution European leaders that a path of deregulation will only lead to widespread poverty, asserting instead that "social sovereignty" is the true key to a stronger Europe.

Andor László: Átváltozó Európa

by Portfolio 06/05/2026
"László Andor: Europe in Transformation" In this article published in Portfolio, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (part of FEPS' Bureau) remind European leaders that deregulation will only make Europe poorer. They argue that as the continent faces a "stalled" German economy and shifting global dynamics, only social sovereignty and a renewed social contract can truly make the Union stronger.

Nincs versenyképesség szociális jogok nélkül

by Népszava 06/05/2026
"There is no competitiveness without social rights" In an article published in Népszava, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS Secretary General), and Anna Diamantopoúlou (FEPS Bureau member) issue a firm reminder to European leaders, deregulation will only serve to make Europe poorer. They argue that the continent's true strength lies not in market dilution, but in social sovereignty.

Une révolution civique, pas encore une révolution sociale

by Fondation Jean-Jaurès 06/05/2026
“A civic revolution, not yet a social revolution” Interview with László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, published by Fondation Jean-Jaurès (FR), analysing the electoral defeat of Viktor Orbán, the emergence of a broad opposition movement in Hungary, and the prospects for democratic renewal, EU relations and social change following what he describes as a “civic revolution” that has yet to deliver a social transformation.
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Audiovisual

The language of EUROPEAN SOVEREIGNTY with Josep Borrell

📺🔊 Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcast In this episode of FEPS Talks, Josep […]

The language of EUROPEAN SOVEREIGNTY with Josep Borrell

📺🔊 Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcast In this episode of FEPS Talks, Josep […]

‘Innovation financing scale-up’ Flickr album

Photo album of ‘Innovation financing scale-up” event at FEPS HQ. In this event, Professor Cornel […]
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