11. The Hungarian Minority in Slovakia: An Extraordinary Tale from the Strongest Pillars of Democratic Transition to Post-communist Normality

The Hungarian minority in Slovakia has experienced a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. Initially, the Hungarian community was a strong pillar of democratic transition and Euro-Atlantic integration, with the united Hungarian party (SMK) playing a crucial role in Slovak politics. However, recent elections have seen a dramatic decline in Hungarian political representation, with Hungarian parties failing to secure parliamentary seats. This shift is marked by a move away from pro-Western liberal attitudes to anti-Western and authoritarian tendencies, with a significant portion of Hungarian voters now supporting Slovak parties, including those with authoritarian populist leanings. The chapter explores the reasons behind this transformation, highlighting the influence of Hungarian media, the changing political landscape in Slovakia, and the impact of Hungarian government policies. It also examines the consequences of this shift for the future of democracy in Slovakia, arguing that the Hungarian community's political representation has moved from being a strong pillar of democratic transition to active support for democratic backsliding. The chapter concludes that the Hungarian minority's political transformation represents a significant challenge for Slovak democracy, as the once-reliable support for democratic parties has waned, and the community has become deeply polarized.