The following is an adaptation of an article written by the deputy editor-in-chief at mandiner.hu Dániel Kacsoh, originally published on Mandiner.
Just as the new American leadership is putting the well-being of its country first, so must Europe, including Hungary.
In his inaugural address, Donald Trump did not skimp on sweeping promises and tough talk. The old-new President of the United States of America promised a new golden age for the country, decisive action to protect its economic interests, as well as immediate measures to curb illegal migration, and he also immediately set about dismantling the woke universe.
The change of power in Washington sends a message to the whole world, including the European Union, whose leaders have so far largely played politics under the aegis of the Democratic Party administration, for example on the Russo–Ukrainian war. The latter has finally opened up a meaningful chance for a ceasefire and peace, which is one of the Hungarian government’s foreign policy priorities, and which it has advocated during its six-month EU presidency despite the controversy.
So, the tide has turned—the patriotic and sovereignist position has gained incredibly strong support overseas. But this chance must now, let us say, be made sure. For the time being, the changed international environment is merely an opportunity, albeit a strong one. Yet the point can be summarized in this way: just as the new American leadership is putting the well-being of its country first, so must Europe, including Hungary.
Fair cooperation, identifying and representing self-interest in all areas—that is the task now.
‘Just as the new American leadership is putting the well-being of its country first, so must Europe, including Hungary’
The truly positive outcome will be if our continent, described by Viktor Orbán as a sick man by historical analogy, also follows this path. The Hungarian prime minister has renewed his pledge to occupy Brussels so that the EU can once again prioritize the well-being of its own nations, and the restoration of normality and competitiveness. This is not the case now: attitudes to the war between Russia and Ukraine, immigration, or even the gender issue are all litmus tests regarding the problem.
And the consequences are increasingly serious if you look at the decline of the German economy or the financial collapse of Romania, the favourite exemplary country of the liberals at home.
The Hungarian cabinet came up with the concept of connectivity in a drastically worse situation than before the COVID pandemic, which became the guiding principle of an economic policy looking for partners in all directions. It is a major cliché, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating: the strategy, formulated as an offer for the whole of Europe, must have positive consequences also on the wallets of ordinary people if it is to be considered successful.
It is common in opposition circles to sneer at the Hungarian economy. Admittedly, some figures can be used to undermine this argument, but if we look around, we can see that trends that are much more negative than ours are beginning to gain strength, and conditions at home, for example in the health sector, are not as bad as some are trying to make them out to be.
Whatever Péter Magyar and his followers say, Hungary has no reason to be ashamed. Of course, the list of things to do is not short, and there is plenty to improve, but the opportunity is there. And just like the Trump Presidency in the United States, the Orbán Government in Hungary will be judged by the electorate. That is democracy.
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