Венгерская метаморфоза: от возвращения в Европу до оккупации Брюсселя

Hungary joined the European Union 20 years ago and became a associate of NATO 25 years ago. Yet, neither occasion has been officially commemorated by the Hungarian government. As Viktor Orbán geared up for this year’s European parliamentary election and the Hungarian EU Council presidency due to take place from July, he announced that he wants to “occupy Brussels”.

With today’s Hungarian government being 1 of the staunchest critics of the European Union, the memory of the country’s drive towards integration after government change seems always so distant. Still, joining the EU – as well as NATO – was 1 of the 3 key goals that underpinned Hungarian abroad policy throughout the 1990s and, but for the Eurosceptic utmost right’s objection, was supported by all political forces. The stages of the accession process itself reflected this broad political consensus.