Poland 2023 repeats in Budapest. With Orbán swept from power, the question is no longer whether European conservatism can win — but whether it can survive. By David Engels
It also shows very clearly that it is not sufficient to propagate “Christian culture” if, at the same time, one sidelines the Christian cult—that is, the Church and her liturgical life—as well as the inner life of individuals that arises from her and the transformation of hearts that this life brings about, treating all of this as a “private matter.” Despite all the merits that such surely well-intentioned systems may earn, everything ultimately remains but dust. And dust, indeed, is not enduring.
This is not a loss for European conservatism, it is another loss for Russian Trojan Horse politics. The argument that to save the West you must capitulate to Eastern aggression just doesn’t sell anymore.
I am not sure if Magyar can hold it together. I don't know a single person who voted _for_ him, everybody I know voted _against_ Orbán. My wife said: she was sitting in a sauna when a middle aged guy entered. The guy did not know her. The guy immediately asked if my wife is interested in politics. She had no chance to respond - because the guy went on explaining that he is willing to vote for anybody, including the Devil himself - as long as Orbán loses... that was the atmosphere in February.
I understand that, for various reasons European conservatists may feel confused without Orban. The problem is, that he was not a conservatist but a thief, who made money on conservatism. If he could do it on liberalism, he would do it. Probably making money on liberalism is more difficult, as it is to maintain a grip on the institutions. The same situation was in Poland, where the country outside few bigger cities is a vast village with conservative voters. The conservatism was mostly a tool to make money and bribe the voters. It is a shame that we had to support someone like Orban who was in fact an offence to conservative principles. I understand the political ruletka but we should not relanium on such people as a tool.
Sorry, this AI assistant is no good. It was to be "rules" and "rely". By the way, I am afraid, that disadvantage the conservatives have to face now is probably less important due to lack of Orban's support than this coming from the scale of corruption which will be shown to the public. This is really a harm to conservative ideas. We will be better without this guy at the end.
I'm not sure about that, I heard many comments about a defeat for the whole conservative idea but maybe this is more of a chance for a conservative renewal. The chance for more substance and fewer rhetorical larping.
Exactly, it seems Magyar is even more critical of migration than Orbán. At least he claims that. Orbán brought in Asian guest workers in large numbers. Additionally, Orbán's foreign policy has been quite unconventional for Hungary's history. He has strengthened relationships with traditional rivals like Slovakia and Serbia while cooling relations with Poland and Croatia. Overall, it’s a curious way of governing while claiming conservative values without substance.
Thanks for another well written article, if somewhat bleak and sobering. Is there any bastion of European conservatism left?
Only in our hearts. Though that might be the most important place.
Beat me to the punch line 😅
It also shows very clearly that it is not sufficient to propagate “Christian culture” if, at the same time, one sidelines the Christian cult—that is, the Church and her liturgical life—as well as the inner life of individuals that arises from her and the transformation of hearts that this life brings about, treating all of this as a “private matter.” Despite all the merits that such surely well-intentioned systems may earn, everything ultimately remains but dust. And dust, indeed, is not enduring.
Fully agree!
This is not a loss for European conservatism, it is another loss for Russian Trojan Horse politics. The argument that to save the West you must capitulate to Eastern aggression just doesn’t sell anymore.
I am not sure if Magyar can hold it together. I don't know a single person who voted _for_ him, everybody I know voted _against_ Orbán. My wife said: she was sitting in a sauna when a middle aged guy entered. The guy did not know her. The guy immediately asked if my wife is interested in politics. She had no chance to respond - because the guy went on explaining that he is willing to vote for anybody, including the Devil himself - as long as Orbán loses... that was the atmosphere in February.
Hungary’s regional role under Orbán is often described as disruptive but that’s only half the story.
Relations didn’t uniformly decline; they shifted.
Cooler ties with Poland and Croatia, closer alignment with Serbia and Slovakia less ideology, more balancing.
From a Central European perspective, this reinforces a key point:
Cooperation in the region follows structure, not sentiment.
Therefore also other issues like migration and family policies would also be handled pragmatically.
I understand that, for various reasons European conservatists may feel confused without Orban. The problem is, that he was not a conservatist but a thief, who made money on conservatism. If he could do it on liberalism, he would do it. Probably making money on liberalism is more difficult, as it is to maintain a grip on the institutions. The same situation was in Poland, where the country outside few bigger cities is a vast village with conservative voters. The conservatism was mostly a tool to make money and bribe the voters. It is a shame that we had to support someone like Orban who was in fact an offence to conservative principles. I understand the political ruletka but we should not relanium on such people as a tool.
Sorry, this AI assistant is no good. It was to be "rules" and "rely". By the way, I am afraid, that disadvantage the conservatives have to face now is probably less important due to lack of Orban's support than this coming from the scale of corruption which will be shown to the public. This is really a harm to conservative ideas. We will be better without this guy at the end.
I'm not sure about that, I heard many comments about a defeat for the whole conservative idea but maybe this is more of a chance for a conservative renewal. The chance for more substance and fewer rhetorical larping.
Exactly, it seems Magyar is even more critical of migration than Orbán. At least he claims that. Orbán brought in Asian guest workers in large numbers. Additionally, Orbán's foreign policy has been quite unconventional for Hungary's history. He has strengthened relationships with traditional rivals like Slovakia and Serbia while cooling relations with Poland and Croatia. Overall, it’s a curious way of governing while claiming conservative values without substance.