Final Word from Tuesday, April 14, 2026
It's an exaggeration to say that everything in Hungary had to change so that everything could stay the same, but that's one of the messages of Czech politicians and commentators who were pulling for Viktor Orbán in the parliamentary elections on Sun. and who now must make do with Péter Magyar. They see him hopefully as just a cleaner, more EU-friendly version of Orbán. Those in the other camp are also exaggerating the impact of the elections by prophesying the rescue of Europe and a more-constructive, united era. What remains open is what the "historic" Hungarian elections will actually mean for the real issues facing Europe. These include two wars (Ukraine and Iran), impending energy shortages due to these wars and to environmental policy, deindustrialization, migration and debt of historic proportions. These issues aren't going away, regardless of how EU-oriented Magyar turns out to be. All he can likely do is decide to which degree Hungarians are going to follow the EU down its chosen path. [ Czech Republic European Union deindustrialize ]
Glossary of difficult words
to pull for - to cheer on; to hope for the success of;
to make do with - to manage or get along using only what is available, even if it is not ideal or exactly what was desired;
to prophesy - to predict future events;
impending - to be about to happen.