This is an opposition that Fidesz probably did not see coming. That embodied by one of his former followers, Peter Magyar, who rides on popular ire and carries out a major expose on the tricks of the regime.
In Hungary, a new opposition embodied by Péter Magyar is mobilizing to challenge Viktor Orbán.
In power for fourteen years, Viktor Orbán and Fidesz seem unbeatable. But for several months, a certain Péter Magyar has continued to make headlines and mobilize a part of the Hungarian population, disillusioned by the current regime.
Perfect timing
It was following a scandal involving a presidential pardon granted in a child abuse case that Magyar came into play. He then resigned from his functions as a public administrator, thus leaving Fidesz, which he described as authoritarian and corrupt. Since then, Magyar has made a series of revelations about the party, increasing its notoriety at meeting after meeting. Last April, it brought together nearly 100,000 people in the streets of Budapest.
He embodies a more dynamic opposition, refusing the left-right divide which tears apart the classic opposition. Without completely revealing a political program, he and his party, Tisza (which means “respect and freedom”) would be credited with 17 to 25% of voting intentions in the European elections.
“This is too much for the Hungarian people. This is too much for the entire country economically, politically, legally and ethically. “It’s too much,” Magyar declared in Debrecen, a Fidesz stronghold, where he brought together several thousand people.
Uncertain future facing Fidesz
The European elections only seem to be a stage, Magyar is already looking ahead to the legislative elections in April 2026. But in front of him, the Fidesz mountain seems insurmountable. The political machinery put in place by Orbán aims to favor the party in elections. Likewise, Fidesz has introduced numerous reforms weakening the rule of law in the country, measures which have earned several calls to order from the European Union and even the partial freezing of funds intended for it.
“It will be a challenge for him to maintain this success over time. Fidesz will do everything to discredit him on social networks. And Fidesz has unlimited resources to do it,” predicts Melani Barlai, political scientist and co-founder of Unhack Democracy, an NGO responsible for ensuring respect for electoral processes in Europe.
The European elections will take place on June 9 and will determine the 21 Hungarian deputies who will sit in the European Parliament. This same day, local elections will take place in Hungary, a first step at the national level in this new context of opposition.
