Fears about Hungary taking a step backwards

The newspaper's correspondent in Germany notes that with its booming economy, political stability and progressive democratisation, Hungary was regarded for a long time as a model country in Central Eastern Europe. But now the mass protests in Budapest, in which right-wing extremist groups are also taking part, have suddenly destroyed that image. "In Germany people know that there are only a few hundred right-wing extremists among the tens of thousands of peaceful protestors, but they are tolerated by the majority. Most of the demonstrators obviously got stuck somewhere in the 1930s. This reinforces the impression that Hungarians don't just need economic reforms, they also need to make a thorough assessment of their past. Still very much aware of their historical guilt, German politicians wouldn't dare to try and gives us lessons about democracy, but they fear that Hungary may be taking a step back towards 'Eastern Europe' and moving into a region which has not yet come to terms with its past and still sees itself as a victim of history (and of Western Europe of course)."

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