People of a certain age, in Barcelona and around Spain, will recall the culture of Franco, the Fascist who survived by keeping Hitler and Mussolini at arm's length. Orban has not acted in a survialist fashion, in that one respect: He has not kept Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump at arm's length. Instead, he clings to them-and to Benjamin Netanyahu, whose corruption trial, ironically enough, resumes tomorrow-the day before Orbanism may start to truly unravel.
Sending all my hopes & best wishes that Hungary will have a better result than what happened to us in the U.S. in November 2024 and since with Trump re-installed here through Russian sabotage & Russian-led occupation. Those who allowed this to happen to us — including our long-supported and oath-sworn Democratic Party elected officials and NATO, etc. — must never be fully forgiven for their continued nationally-suicidal appeasement despite them still being the best option we have to resurrect our democracy & turn things around again as many of us non-stop voters have been doing since our national FALL 2.0, including as non-stop volunteers and donors to so many democracy-supporting and planet-protecting organizations.
So much for national & global security & human rights here & worldwide this agonizing 21st Century journey despite all that many of We the People have done & paid to protect ourselves & try to make our country into a true & honorable global partner who champions long-promised INTERNATIONAL human rights & 17 GLOBAL goals. These increasingly authoritarian & violent times are embittering, sickening, & unsustainable for us all worldwide, but we must NEVER stop demanding & working for our ADOPTED international and PROPER constitutional rights. If our peaceful protests & resistance don’t help us people prevail soon, Mother Nature will take the tyrants down instead, including those that allow & abet human rights abuses in our own liberal parties! Authoritarians’ hubris & greed & their shameful appeasers do not make them invulnerable nor permanent rulers. My most recent No Kings protest sign (with others I shared): HUMANITY OVER TYRANNY!
One comment from your article particularly resonated with me. You said "But politics in moments like this does not offer ideal choices. It offers real ones".
You are so right! We often let the idea of "perfect/ideal" get in the way of "good" and so nothing changes, because we can't make it "perfect/ideal".
Sometimes it is just one step at a time leading away from what we don't want, and towards what we are seeking.
I love the insight that authoritarianism doesn't just rewire institutions, it rewires the imagination. It explains so much about why democratic recovery is never just a matter of winning an election. You've written about Hungary, but you've also written about something universal.
You write beautifully, and present your complex feelings and uncertainties looking ahead. You don't dare to be optimistic and relentlessly happy yet. You put intellect above emotions.
I have stayed in Hungary, and lived a successful life until 16 Years ago, and may have contributed to the common good, too. I managed to survive these shameful 16 years, being mad and suffering from Orbánism. My only hope was to live to see the liberation from this. Now I know, that We shall overcome. My mental status is not complicated now. I am thrilled. Being an experienced intellectual, in the back of my mind the doubts the what ifs are there, but they will stay there for good. Of course, the fences will not be made of sausages, but stumbling on the way of inevitable repairs will be a joy. Reconstruction after a war is always happy because the war is behind. Even if I may not live to see Canaan , my grandchildren will.
You left Hungary for a better life, and feel a bit of guilt now. You deserve it, but being young you will see the prospering Hungary advancing with your contributions. I envy you and happy for you to know that a bright future is ahead.
One note regarding ideology, left and/or right.
During the systemic change, I needed guidance, how to navigate myself. After long deliberations I found the "three third rule":
1. coming from working class grandparents, and caring for those in need, I am left- leaning.
2. being patriotic and attached to noble traditions, and disciplined finances, I am conservative.
3. freedom of spirits, of movements, of social activities, and communications are inevitable, so I am a liberal.
I loved it. 🥰 It is very much needed for the world to read. You write from experience and from the heart. Thank you for sharing your story. Change is coming.
Around the globe, people have become tired of being subjected by authoritarian regimes, and Hungary has seen firsthand how they use them and their resources to help dictators like Putin.
Hungarians refuse to become slaves.
It’s amazing that now, In 2026, the whole world is anxiously watching Hungary. We are right there with you. Orban has to go. 🔱❣️
I left Hungary as a child refugee and identify with a lot of what you are saying. I drove 500km to Malaga to vote at the consulate- for Tisza. I am also further left than Magyar but he is the only opportunity we have of ending 16 years of descend into autocracy . I am not sleeping well and hope that Hungary will vote for Europe and young people’s future.
I left Hungary as a child refugee and identify with a lot of what you are saying. I drove 500km to Malaga to vote at the consulate- for Tisza. I am also further left than Magyar but he is the only opportunity we have of ending 16 years of descend into autocracy . I am not keeping well and hope that Hungary will vote for Europe and young people’s future.
I'm rooting for Hungarians, but history stands in the way. There is not a single instance in history of a fascist leader, once democratically elected being thrown out through election results. Not Hitler, not Mussolini, nor Franco who died peacefully in bed in 1975, I think. They were still uncovering bodies from his execution squads as late as February, 2025.
People of a certain age, in Barcelona and around Spain, will recall the culture of Franco, the Fascist who survived by keeping Hitler and Mussolini at arm's length. Orban has not acted in a survialist fashion, in that one respect: He has not kept Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump at arm's length. Instead, he clings to them-and to Benjamin Netanyahu, whose corruption trial, ironically enough, resumes tomorrow-the day before Orbanism may start to truly unravel.
Seriously praying for the people in Hungary!! 🇭🇺 Thank you for sharing your writings!! I’ll light a candle on Sunday in solidarity!
Sending all my hopes & best wishes that Hungary will have a better result than what happened to us in the U.S. in November 2024 and since with Trump re-installed here through Russian sabotage & Russian-led occupation. Those who allowed this to happen to us — including our long-supported and oath-sworn Democratic Party elected officials and NATO, etc. — must never be fully forgiven for their continued nationally-suicidal appeasement despite them still being the best option we have to resurrect our democracy & turn things around again as many of us non-stop voters have been doing since our national FALL 2.0, including as non-stop volunteers and donors to so many democracy-supporting and planet-protecting organizations.
So much for national & global security & human rights here & worldwide this agonizing 21st Century journey despite all that many of We the People have done & paid to protect ourselves & try to make our country into a true & honorable global partner who champions long-promised INTERNATIONAL human rights & 17 GLOBAL goals. These increasingly authoritarian & violent times are embittering, sickening, & unsustainable for us all worldwide, but we must NEVER stop demanding & working for our ADOPTED international and PROPER constitutional rights. If our peaceful protests & resistance don’t help us people prevail soon, Mother Nature will take the tyrants down instead, including those that allow & abet human rights abuses in our own liberal parties! Authoritarians’ hubris & greed & their shameful appeasers do not make them invulnerable nor permanent rulers. My most recent No Kings protest sign (with others I shared): HUMANITY OVER TYRANNY!
One comment from your article particularly resonated with me. You said "But politics in moments like this does not offer ideal choices. It offers real ones".
You are so right! We often let the idea of "perfect/ideal" get in the way of "good" and so nothing changes, because we can't make it "perfect/ideal".
Sometimes it is just one step at a time leading away from what we don't want, and towards what we are seeking.
I love the insight that authoritarianism doesn't just rewire institutions, it rewires the imagination. It explains so much about why democratic recovery is never just a matter of winning an election. You've written about Hungary, but you've also written about something universal.
Péter,
You write beautifully, and present your complex feelings and uncertainties looking ahead. You don't dare to be optimistic and relentlessly happy yet. You put intellect above emotions.
I have stayed in Hungary, and lived a successful life until 16 Years ago, and may have contributed to the common good, too. I managed to survive these shameful 16 years, being mad and suffering from Orbánism. My only hope was to live to see the liberation from this. Now I know, that We shall overcome. My mental status is not complicated now. I am thrilled. Being an experienced intellectual, in the back of my mind the doubts the what ifs are there, but they will stay there for good. Of course, the fences will not be made of sausages, but stumbling on the way of inevitable repairs will be a joy. Reconstruction after a war is always happy because the war is behind. Even if I may not live to see Canaan , my grandchildren will.
You left Hungary for a better life, and feel a bit of guilt now. You deserve it, but being young you will see the prospering Hungary advancing with your contributions. I envy you and happy for you to know that a bright future is ahead.
One note regarding ideology, left and/or right.
During the systemic change, I needed guidance, how to navigate myself. After long deliberations I found the "three third rule":
1. coming from working class grandparents, and caring for those in need, I am left- leaning.
2. being patriotic and attached to noble traditions, and disciplined finances, I am conservative.
3. freedom of spirits, of movements, of social activities, and communications are inevitable, so I am a liberal.
Klára Dobrev is wrong, Péter Magyar is right.
Great, awesome, writing, Peter! ✨🏆 ☺️
I loved it. 🥰 It is very much needed for the world to read. You write from experience and from the heart. Thank you for sharing your story. Change is coming.
Around the globe, people have become tired of being subjected by authoritarian regimes, and Hungary has seen firsthand how they use them and their resources to help dictators like Putin.
Hungarians refuse to become slaves.
It’s amazing that now, In 2026, the whole world is anxiously watching Hungary. We are right there with you. Orban has to go. 🔱❣️
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us here. ❤️ I believe people from all around the world 🌎🌍🌏are right there with you, and Hungary. 🇭🇺
Many far and wide are seeing this eye to eye and are totally feeling the same way. Many are with you and 🇭🇺 in heart and spirit! 💕✨
Hungarians are such beautiful and free spirited people. I hope they will see that the whole world is fully behind them! 💪🔥💕
I left Hungary as a child refugee and identify with a lot of what you are saying. I drove 500km to Malaga to vote at the consulate- for Tisza. I am also further left than Magyar but he is the only opportunity we have of ending 16 years of descend into autocracy . I am not sleeping well and hope that Hungary will vote for Europe and young people’s future.
‘Balsors akit régen tép…’
I left Hungary as a child refugee and identify with a lot of what you are saying. I drove 500km to Malaga to vote at the consulate- for Tisza. I am also further left than Magyar but he is the only opportunity we have of ending 16 years of descend into autocracy . I am not keeping well and hope that Hungary will vote for Europe and young people’s future.
‘Balsors akit régen tép…’
I'm rooting for Hungarians, but history stands in the way. There is not a single instance in history of a fascist leader, once democratically elected being thrown out through election results. Not Hitler, not Mussolini, nor Franco who died peacefully in bed in 1975, I think. They were still uncovering bodies from his execution squads as late as February, 2025.
Thank you.
https://youtu.be/Pdx8U1fTWaE?si=vCp_Hoj3k3lp0xbd