Andrea Szabó: There is a common feature between the revolution of 1956 and the elections of 2026

On October 23, we should remember not only the moment when Hungarian society opposed the regime but also the need for self-reflection that followed. The author recalls being present in 1989 when the Hungarian Republic was declared, feeling a sense of hope for a new beginning. There was an expectation for a different Hungary, one that would change not just its institutions but also how people relate to each other and their past. However, after 37 years, the author feels that the hope for honest self-examination has not been realized, as Hungary has a tradition of new beginnings but less so of confronting its past.