Magyarország útja: Hungary’s Sovereign Path Between East and West
“A nemzet maga a szuverén” - The nation itself is sovereign
Viktor Orbán’s Hungary represents one of the most fascinating experiments in modern European politics: a sustained attempt to maintain EU and NATO membership while pursuing what Budapest terms “Christian democracy” and sovereign governance in defiance of Western institutional expectations. This comprehensive analysis reveals Hungary has not joined BRICS and explicitly states membership is “not on the agenda,” despite extensive cooperation with BRICS nations and persistent misinformation campaigns claiming otherwise.
From the cobblestone streets of Felcsút to the halls of Oxford, from revolutionary speeches at Heroes’ Square to the construction of what Orbán calls “illiberal democracy,” the Hungarian Prime Minister’s journey reflects his nation’s broader quest for sovereignty in an interconnected world. As Orbán declared in 2014, “Egy demokráciának nem kell feltétlenül liberálisnak lennie” - “A democracy does not necessarily have to be liberal.”
Hungary operates as a strategic bridge between East and West, leveraging institutional membership for protection while pursuing pragmatic partnerships that increasingly challenge Western solidarity assumptions. With €22.5 billion in EU funds frozen due to rule of law disputes, yet €10 billion in new Chinese investments flowing in 2024, Hungary demonstrates how middle powers can leverage great power competition for national advantage.
The making of a statesman: From revolutionary to sovereign leader
