Die normative Kraft der EU und ihr gegenwärtiges internes Versagen

Since 2010, Hungary has continued to move towards illiberal values despite criticism and protests from EU institutions. The relationship between the two actors before 2010 was positive and aimed at rebuilding the country through the support of liberal values such as free trade, the rule of law, and human rights. However, the country's political background made it clear that, despite the willingness to be part of the European project, there was a cultural gap between Hungary and the West, particularly regarding the definition of democracy. This context allowed for a turning point in 2010, which opened the door to Viktor Orbán's nationalism. As a result, the regime evolved into an illiberal regime, and since that turning point, Orbán's political hegemony and authoritarianism have intensified a trend against the values that form the core of EU identity. These diverging directions led to an inevitable direct confrontation, highlighting the weaknesses of existing EU enforcement mechanisms and measures, which struggled to influence Hungarian politics despite the circumstances.