In a surprising turn of events, former ally Péter Magyar has emerged as a formidable political rival to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party. Magyar, who rose to prominence following a scandal involving a presidential pardon in a child-abuse case, has been mobilizing a part of the Hungarian population against the country’s hard-right leader.
After resigning from his position as public administrator and quitting the Fidesz party, Magyar has been making one revelation after another about the party, raising his profile at meetings and rallies. In April, he managed to bring together almost 100,000 people onto the streets of Budapest, a significant show of support for his cause.
Magyar’s party, Tisza, which stands for “respect and freedom,” has been credited with 17% to 25% of voting intentions in the upcoming European elections. He embodies a more dynamic opposition, rejecting the traditional left-right divide that has plagued the established opposition in Hungary.
However, Magyar faces an uphill battle against Orban and Fidesz, who have a strong grip on power and have implemented measures that weaken the rule of law in the country. Despite this, Magyar remains determined to challenge Fidesz in the upcoming parliamentary elections in April 2026.
The European elections beginning on June 9 will be a crucial test for Magyar and his supporters, as they seek to challenge the dominance of Fidesz in Hungarian politics. The battle in Hungary is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing contests of the election cycle, with Magyar’s rise as a political rival adding a new dynamic to the country’s political landscape.