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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
“Now or never ,” Péter Magyar told Hungarians during an intense campaign across the country, ahead of the April 12 elections, where polls suggest he has a real chance of victory.
Magyar, 45 and a former insider in the ruling Fidesz party, represents the biggest challenge to Viktor Orbán since the latter returned to power in 2010. His slogan stems from a 19th-century revolutionary call, which he has shortened to “ Now ,” heightening the sense of urgency.
Over more than two years, he has built a broad base of support, including in areas traditionally dominated by Fidesz. His campaign has been intense, with up to seven speeches a day. A year ago, he walked 300 kilometers from Budapest to the Romanian border in an attempt to attract traditional Fidesz voters.
Magyar promises to fight corruption, improve the economy and win the support of the Roma community. He has also promised to unblock billions of euros in European Union funds frozen over concerns about the rule of law in Hungary.
On the other hand, Orbán has described him as a " puppet " of the EU and Ukraine, emphasizing that his party remains " the true force of peace."
Magyar's confidence is linked to his deep knowledge of the system he once belonged to. He was part of Fidesz until February 2024, had joined the party since university and was married to Judit Varga, a rising figure in the party and former justice minister.
He surprised the public with a YouTube interview, in which he explained the reasons for leaving the party. In a country of 9.6 million people, about a million people followed his statement. He admitted that he had been part of the system for a long time, but stressed that the situation in the country was no longer acceptable.
The resignation of President Katalin Novák and his ex-wife, following a scandal over the pardon of a person involved in the sexual abuse cover-up, created a political moment that Magyar exploited.
"I don't want to be part of a system where those in power hide behind women ," he wrote on Facebook.
In March 2024, he announced the creation of a new party, just weeks before the European elections. His party, Tisza, won 29.6% of the vote and seven seats in the European Parliament, falling behind Fidesz but scoring a significant result.
Subsequently, polls put Tisza ahead of Fidesz. Magyar criticized Orbán's close ties with Russia and accused him of abandoning the legacy of 1956.
He does not consider himself a liberal and has criticized the old opposition for its inefficiency. One of his strategies has been to weaken the traditional opposition parties and present himself as a new alternative.
Magyar has also faced accusations and personal attacks, including claims of a smear campaign. He has denied the charges and stated that his conscience is clear.
As a former Fidesz advisor, he believes he has an advantage over his opponents: “I know them and their methods. I know they are afraid.” He describes the current moment as a rare opportunity: “ This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not for me, but for the country.”
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