Commentary
Democratic Security
Ukrainian Women Shape the Future of Warfare. Europe Must Learn
24 April 2026
7 April 2020
Orbán uses historical policy and the Trianon syndrome, which is painful for Hungarians, for his own purposes. He skilfully plays with symbols, traumas and injuries.
The European Union (EU) boasts of the “Copenhagen Criteria”, a set of requirements that guarantee the functioning of liberal democracy, the rule of law, the guarantee of human rights and a working market economy.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Hungary introduced a state of emergency, with a restricted parliament, silent opposition, limitations to independent media and rule by decree.
Earlier already, its own historical policy has been incorporated into the political game, changing the monuments, symbols and interpretations of events. Does it mean that the “Budapest Criteria” will replace those of Copenhagen? And, what is more, is Warsaw to follow the footsteps of Budapest?