Full claps for writing about Hungary, but this is one perspective.
Yes, Orban is heavy handed, but he did not invent the anti gay rhetoric. That has been established in Hungary since Arpad settled the plains.
Orban's argument is one that no one else dares to speak. "Why must Hungary follow the American and EU philosophy of Liberal democracy?" Hungary, in it's roots has never been a Liberal democratic nation. It has always been a Christian Conservative nation, with Christianity as its soul and center. Hungary is known as the Holy Dynasty of martyrs, kings, queens, princesses and bishops, with no less than 11 national saints.
He has no interest in yielding the national identity to foreign blueprints of progress. His interest lies in maintaining and celebrating his nations cultural and social history.
He and Hungary are not apologizing for their roots, culture or traditions.
Does this ruffle feathers and wound feelings? Of course it does. Is he a wonderful leader on the path to sainthood? Of course not.
But you are correct about the quote calling for help when Hungary alone faced the Russian bear. The world did not come, neighbour states did not come. Even when the uprising began because Hungary crossed the border to support Poland. No nations helped Hungary then against the Russians, so why should be responsible for helping the world against the communists today? If the world wants to fight Russia, let them. Hungary had enough of being hammered by the iron fist. They have shed their blood.
But what is Hungary now? To be embarrassed for?
Here is one example of many I know. A Hungarian woman, living in Canada for two decades moved back last year.
Let's make that point again.
A Canadian citizen, left Canada, supposedly the safest and freest country in the world to return to live in Hungary.
Why? Because, in her words, "Hungary is safe again. Beautiful again. Graced by God, again."
But the overriding sentiment is that's it's safe to walk the streets in Hungary. At night. Because the majority of the population is Hungarian and those who cross borders without any care for the countries history, culture and peoples they enter are not there in overwhelming numbers and all that goes with it.
My mother returns to Hungary every 5 years or so. She doesn't love Orban, but she cries when she returns to Canada as she talks of how Hungary is so misunderstood, so beautiful, so proud and so sure of who she is as a nation and peoples.
Hungary has given aid, not to the conglomerate of power nations with their political agendas, but to the Ukrainian people, welcoming over 1 million into her borders. Those refugees he helps without reservation. Those people are safe.
Those who want to join the ranks of protestors against Orban and Hungary, should know Hungary first.
After his last election win, a landslide, opponents can say he's corrupted and rigged the system. That's easy to believe. Easier than accepting that the Hungarian people vote for him in enormous numbers, trading the distasteful policies for having a nation that belongs to them, for them. He is not so loved, but that he stands for maintaining Hungary's soul and independence, is.
