St Stephen’s Day ruminations on the nation state and the state of the nation

A conservative columnist contends that the future of the country and Europe depends on the nation state and the maintenance of Christian roots. A left-wing commentator finds it sad that Hungary has become polarized along ideological lines.

St Stephen’s Day is a celebration of the nation state, Zuzsanna Körmendy writes in Magyar Nemzet. The conservative columnist suggests that the role of nation states is crucial in shaping the future of Europe. Körmendy complains that some Hungarians do still not acknowledge the value of Hungary’s national and Christian past, due to the pre-1989 anti-national policies of the former communist regime and the slow economic progress since 1989.

In Népszava, editor-in-chief Péter Németh finds it sad that Hungary has become increasingly polarized. While the government parties claim that things are going in the right direction, the opposition suggests that the country is becoming increasingly isolated in Europe, Németh notes. As an example, he mentions the bitter dispute on migration to demonstrate that the Hungarian Left and Right live in alternative realities. These ideological cleavages make Hungary “an uninhabitable place”, Németh maintains. In conclusion, he recommends that Hungarians do not bother to listen to any speeches made on St Stephen’s Day, since politicians will again use the anniversary to send their propaganda messages.

Tags: migration, nationalism