‘Central Europe is a natural corridor between the two superpowers, forming a buffer zone. In the last thirty years, it seemed that the leading politicians of the countries in this region clearly saw and understood what they could and could not do.’

From Czechia to Ukraine, voters in several countries of Central and Eastern Europe will be going to the polls in 2023.

We are facing ‘a decade of dangers, of uncertainty and wars’, said PM Viktor Orbán in his speech at Tusványos. A visionary program for 2022 and beyond.

From Central Europe’s perspective, a closer alignment between the narratives and perceptions of Washington and Central European states is needed to increase regional stability.

It is time to acknowledge that patriotism may indeed be considered a virtue, while liberalism tainted with globalism is a force that is out to destroy the nation state.

According to Joch, there is a kind of clash of civilizations behind the clash of worldviews in Europe. Today the most controversial issues are the redefinition of marriage, legal and illegal immigration, and the military arming of Europe. Basically, a sharp cultural division can be perceived in this matter between Western and Eastern Europe.

While Brussels hopes that breaking free from Russian energy will encourage a green turn in Europe, the chances of a green transition in Central Europe are in fact very low.

Demographically, outmigration for Hungary is not as serious a concern as for neighbouring countries, but in terms of the loss of professionals, it is a serious problem.

The achievements of the last 30 years must not be forgotten nor underestimated – Central Europe, and Hungary in it, have gone through spectacular development which can be observed across all measurements of economic growth.

What is behind the nostalgia for state socialism in East-Central Europe?

Today, Hungary and the V4 group are in the same power bloc as the West, but they can still serve as leverage points against certain Western powers in the field of international relations.

Following two decades of Westernization after 1989, the western and central parts of Europe began to drift apart and then to diverge, not without historical precedent.