Understanding the Reasons Behind Hungary Dropping the Word 'Republic'

Hungary made headlines in recent years by changing its official name from 'Hungarian Republic' to simply 'Hungary'. This decision came not just from a linguistic standpoint, but also due to political and historical reasons. To fully grasp the significance of this change, we must delve into the grammatical, cultural, and political context.

Grammatical and Cultural Implications

The grammatical rule in Hungarian is such that the word 'republic' ("republikkamban") requires a specific modifier. To properly name the country, the phrase 'Hungarian Republic' ("Magyar K?ztársaság") is used. However, this form carries an implication that could be interpreted as discriminatory against non-Hungarians. This is because the term 'republic' has strong historical and political connotations, particularly in Europe, where it is associated with political upheaval and rebellion against authority.

During World War II, for instance, the then French leader, General Pierre Pétain, changed the official name of France from 'République fran?aise' to 'état fran?ais' ('French State') to avoid the negative associations with the revolutionary Jacobins. In a similar vein, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sought to minimize the liberal and socialist influences in the country's institutional memory.

Political Motivations and the Decline of the Republic

The political motivations behind this name change are multifaceted. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a steadfast advocate of authoritarianism, has consistently sought to eliminate any hint of liberalism or socialism from Hungary's public and cultural landscape. One of the manifestations of this initiative was the relocation of a statue of the Hungarian Crown to the Parliament building, symbolizing a move away from republican values.

Historically, the term 'republic' has held different meanings in Hungary. The country has proclaimed 'Hungarian Republic' three times in the last century:

1. In 1918, after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the new nation declared itself as the Hungarian Republic. 2. In 1946, following World War II, the newly-democratised Hungary again adopted the title 'Hungarian Republic'. 3. In 1991, after the fall of socialism, the country reverted to a more democratic form of government, but retained the term 'People’s Republic' which indicated a non-'bourgeois republic'.

Political factions within Hungary still advocate for returning to a 'Kingdom' rather than a 'Republic.' Despite this, there is no clear candidate for the throne, and current 'King' candidate Georg Habsburg has been discredited due to past criminal activities, such as smuggling on the Hungarian-Austrian border.

Contemporary Implications and Future Directions

The name change from 'Hungarian Republic' to 'Hungary' represents a broader shift in the political and cultural fabric of the country. It is part of a larger effort to reshape the national narrative and to align with more conservative political ideologies. The symbolic move to the installation of the Hungarian Crown statue is one of many steps the current government is taking to underscore its values and distance from the country's republican past.

For the people of Hungary, this change can be seen as both a historical purification of national memory and a political statement. As Hungary continues to navigate its path, the removal of the 'Republic' from its official name serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle to define the nation's identity in the modern era.