Péter Magyar recently recalled the image of the Austro-Hungarian Empire ahead of his swearing in as PM. Could some sort of alliance be making a return?
by Boris Nusinzon
Mr. Saar’s AP Euro students should be very pleased to hear that the Austro-Hungarian Empire may be making a comeback, according to recent comments made by Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar. According to Politico, he wants to “deepen ties with neighboring states, especially Austria, building on strong economic links and a shared history rooted in the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the late nineteenth century.” Magyar himself claimed that “We used to share a country, and Austria is a key economic partner of Hungary… I would like to strengthen the relationship between Hungary and Austria for historical but also for cultural and economic reasons.”
Magyar has a marked interest in creating a Central European bloc of states, simultaneously upholding conservative values and culture while upholding and restoring democratic principles. There certainly are pronounced differences between these states, however, especially on support for Ukraine and its fast-track accession to the EU: Austria and Poland back EU aid, while the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and still Hungary oppose actively contributing to the recently passed package (after Hungary under Magyar dropped its opposition to the plan). Even though this may be the case, Politico claims that experts have argued for the shared interests and similarities amongst these nations, particularly in their economies and infrastructure. Much of Magyar’s desire to reform such an alliance may come from the fact that he wishes to counterbalance the power of nations like France and Germany in the European Union. Whether all of this talk produces any tangible actions or results is yet to be seen, however.
