Although history repeats itself, if it is not taught properly, we will not learn from it. Hungarian education distorts the events of the past to accommodate a glorified but inaccurate image of historic Hungary. Instead of teaching historic facts, classes often incorporate folk tales and other romanticized stories. In the lower grades of primary school education, history is taught through stories, which is appropriate.
Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 by the Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the Eastern Opening by the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, economic and diplomatic cooperation between China and Hungary has increased significantly. However, the lack of transparency and the politically infused nature of this cooperation makes Hungary’s relationship with the EU difficult.
The role of the media is more important in politics than it was 20-30 years ago. Political parties and politicians are using the media all around the world to promote themselves, their ideology, and their aims. These actions made media post objective, which means that almost every media outlet is close to a political party, which, of course, doesn’t mean that they’re making propaganda.
In this episode, Leszek Jażdżewski hosts Gabor Halmai, Professor and the Chair of Comparative Constitutional Law at the Law Department at the European University Institute about the rule of law, EU funds, and the socio-political situation in Poland and Hungary.
There is an urgent need for stating that no one is less or more deserving of sympathy, support, and protection because of their physical proximity, skin color, or any other reason. This is a lesson we must learn from, an opportunity to reflect on our past mistakes.
Though Fidesz supported sanctions against Russia, the government is not allowing the transfer of lethal weapons through Hungarian territory to Ukraine. The narrative that Fidesz supports peace while the opposition supports war was completely false, nevertheless it worked.
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Leszek Jażdżewski talks with Dr Péter Krekó about the forthcoming election to the National Assembly in Hungary, the possible outcomes in the current geopolitical situation, and their implications for the region.
It is likely that most voters in Hungary will see Orbán’s argumentation as a distraction from his close political ties to Putin and a distraction from the close interconnection of Orbán’s oligarchic environment to Putin’s oligarchic environment.
2022 will be the year of a momentous election in Hungary. We can’t see past it but we can line up the forces that shape the outcome. We will analyze the four possible scenarios of election results – supermajority or simple majority to either side – and what may come after.
The Hungarian opposition joined its forces by sending a common candidate into the spring race to become Hungary’s next prime minister: Péter Márki-Zay. Only a joint program is missing. Be it as it may, the outlook is promising.
