In the first half of 2024, the European Union (EU) Presidency was held by Belgium, and on July 1, 2024, the presidency position was transferred from Belgium to Hungary. The Hungarian government did not fully align with the EU’s policies due to the West’s inadequate stance in the Russia-Ukraine War and maintained diplomatic relations with Turkic states that have close ties with Russia. Some EU member countries called for a boycott against Hungary because of its relationship with Russia. Consequently, it is being considered that the EU will boycott Hungary’s foreign affairs summit, which will be held on August 28-29, 2024.[1]
The deepening polarization in the EU is accelerating within the war in Ukraine and the rise of the far-right movements coming into power in governments. Austria, Slovakia and Italy are highlighted as far-right governments in EU with Hungary also being noted as a far-right government. For example, in the study titled “Nincs most a magyarnál jobbosabb nemzet Európában (There is No More Right-Wing Nation in Europe than the Hungarians Now)” published by researchers Enyedi Zsolt and Szabó Andrea on June 10, 2022, it was stated that Hungary is the most right-wing country in Europe in terms of government and societal dynamics.[2]
Due to Hungary’s foreign policy stance, the country’s EU Representative Bálint Ódor was almost verbally attacked by his EU colleagues at a meeting held in Brussels at the beginning of July 2024. However, one of the notable instances happened in the meeting was that the Slovakia was the only country that did not speak even though it lasted for more than two hours.[3] The reason for this behaviour is believed to be that Slovakia, just like Hungary, is being ruled by a far-right government.
Hungary’s foreign policy understanding has turned towards an alternative or parallel Eastern policy aligned with right-wing ideology in the face of Western pressures. At this point, the Turkic Council (TDT), in other words, the Turkic World, is seen as the united point of the political, geopolitical, and cultural foundations in Hungary’s foreign policy understanding.
Before moving to the current context, a brief look at history is necessary. The roots of Hungarian Turanism are based on the rising nationalist sentiments in Hungary, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 19th century. The national identity efforts of the society in the region led to a search for an alternative narrative beyond European influences. The understanding of Turanism in the region emerged as a convincing ideology connecting Hungarians to a broader, non-European heritage.[4]
Looking at the events of the last five years, at the 7th Summit of the Turkic Council held on October 5, 2019, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán supported the theory of Hungary’s Turkish origins by stating that Hungarians are “Kipchak Turks,” a nomadic shepherd and warrior tribe, and that all Turkish tribes and Hungarians are descendants of the European Hun Emperor Attila. He also added that Hungary is “Christian Turkish land.”[5] Moreover, at another summit of the Turkic Council in 2022, he stated that “Hungary is the only Eastern country remaining in Europe.”[6]
When examining Hungary’s understanding of the Turkic World, it is noted that the country adopts a geopolitical and strategic interest-oriented approach. It has been observed that Hungary has made energy agreements with Turkic states, has not taken a stance against China, allowing cheap Chinese goods to enter the European market, and tends to maintain Hungary-Russia relations.
As known, the Middle Corridor of China’s Belt and Road Initiative passes through the routes of Turkic Council member Turkic states (Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Anatolia). It is seen that Hungary has reached a certain conclusion regarding the Turkic Council in line with its national identity construction and political interests.
At the same time, it cannot be said that Hungary is in a radical “Turkic World” advocacy – in other words, Political Turanism. The reason for this can be stated as the search for an alternative diplomatic route in the East against the liberal democracy of the West within the current situation. On the other hand, Hungary continues to participate in the summits of the Turkic Council as an “observer member” rather than a “full member.” Additionally, the imposition of the claim that Hungary is displaying a “Turanist” attitude is actually an effort by the Western media to put pressure on the Hungarian Government.
It was seen in the statement made by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on July 11, 2024, that Hungary values its relations with China. In the statement, it was expressed that they are against NATO’s “anti-China” understanding. Minister Szijjarto also stated that Ukraine’s inclusion in NATO would weaken the unity within the alliance.[7]
Although the stance of the Hungarian Minister seems anti-NATO, it was actually said in response to the radical China and Russia opposition of the Democrats. The assassination attempt on US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump has strengthened his chances of being re-elected, and the expectation that NATO will evolve towards the stance targeted by Hungary has arisen with the possibility of the Republicans coming to power.
As can be understood from the statements of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other government officials, the rising far-right in the EU is one of the biggest examples of the search for national identities instead of an “European” identity in the presence of nation-states. The aim is to make Hungary a country with an important position both culturally and politically at the center of cooperation between the East-West (Europe) by tracing the roots of the “Hungarian” identity back to the European Huns.
Although Hungary’s assumption of the EU Presidency on July 1 has been met with concern and is expected to be boycotted by EU members, it can also be expected to receive support from the far-right governments within the union. During this period, steps can be taken towards new cooperation with Turkic states. At the same time, Hungary may take a position contrary to pro-American EU members regarding the war in Ukraine.
However, Hungary’s utilization of the geopolitical and strategic position of the Turkic Council to impose the aforementioned aspects on the EU to some extent can be considered an invaluable opportunity for the Hungarian Government. This can position the country as a strategic and mediatory place in the East-West axis in the face of the polarization attempts of the US in the region.
While the government holds an important place in national identity construction and triggering the right-wing understanding in the region, the formation of an “Eastern” image excluded by countries adopting the “European” identity is expected to help Viktor Orbán and his supporters remain in power in the 2026 Hungarian Parliamentary Elections planned to take place two years later.
In this context, Hungary’s policy towards the Turkic Council in the East-West axis points to a national interest-centered and balanced foreign policy understanding rather than the “Political Turanism” implied by the Western press.
[1] Jakob Hanke Vela, “EU to boycott Hungary’s foreign affairs summit”, Politico, https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-boycott-foreign-affairs-summit-eu-ukraine-pm-viktor-orban-event-august-budapest/, (Accessed Date: 17.07.2024).
[2] Enyedi Zsolt ve Szabó Andrea, “Nincs most a magyarnál jobbosabb nemzet Európában”, Telex, https://telex.hu/belfold/2022/06/10/enyedi-zsolt-szab-andrea-postelection-kutatas-elemzes-negyedik-resz, (Accessed Date: 17.07.2024).
[3] Barbara Moens, “EU fumes at rogue Orbán, but struggles to rein him in”, Politico, https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-fumes-rogue-viktor-orban-hungarian-presidency-envoy-brussels/, (Date Accessed: 17.07.2024).
[4] Tamara Gyurkó, “How was Turanism present throughout Hungary’s history?”, Daily News Hungary, https://dailynewshungary.com/how-was-turanism-present-throughout-hungarys-history/, (Date Accessed: 17.07.2024).
[5] Hamdi Fırat Büyük, “Orban Enlists Turkic States in Fight Against Liberal Democracy”, Balkan Insight, https://balkaninsight.com/2019/10/22/orban-enlists-turkic-states-in-fight-against-liberal-democracy/, (Date Accessed: 17.07.2024).
[6] “Orbán Viktor: Magyarország az egyetlen Európában megmaradt keleti nép”, Népszava, https://nepszava.hu/3175309_orban-viktor-turk-allamok-szervezete, (Date Accessed: 17.07.2024).
[7] “Hungary will not support NATO becoming ‘anti-China’ bloc, minister says”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungary-will-not-support-nato-becoming-anti-china-bloc-minister-says-2024-07-11/, (Date Accessed: 17.07.2024).
