Democratic Restoration: Lessons for Hungary from the Polish Experience (dgap.org)

• Systemic rot necessitates bypassing obstructive institutional actors.
• The risk of voter alienation if justice and reform are delayed.
• Prioritizing dignity-focused projects to maintain political momentum.

"Following the victory of the Tisza party in Hungary, leader Péter Magyar faces the immense task of dismantling 16 years of entrenched illiberal governance. Analyzing the Polish context under Donald Tusk, Sławomir Sierakowski suggests that restoring democratic norms requires bold, unconventional strategies. Because state institutions are often weaponized by previous regimes to block reform, waiting for full procedural legality can lead to stagnation. Success depends on moving rapidly, bypassing obstructive actors through creative legal workarounds, and managing public expectations by delivering tangible results that restore national dignity."