Peter Magyar, a former member of the Fidesz party, is posing the most significant threat to Viktor Orban's rule in Hungary since 2010, conducting a breathless campaign across the country under the slogan 'Now or Never'. His campaign draws on a 19th-century revolutionary poet's rallying cry, now shortened to 'Now' to emphasize urgency. Magyar has visited all 106 Hungarian constituencies, delivering 4-6 speeches daily, and built a powerful support base even in small towns and villages where Fidesz traditionally dominates.

Magyar promises to tackle corruption, improve the economy, and woo Hungary's disadvantaged Roma community. He has also pledged to unlock billions of euros in EU funds, frozen largely due to concerns over Hungary's rule of law. However, Orban has depicted him as a 'puppet' of the EU and Ukraine, urging caution in getting too close to Brussels and promising voters 'we are the real party of peace'.

Magyar joined Fidesz in 2002 and was married to former Justice Minister Judit Varga, but in February 2024, he decided to leave the party. His move was linked to a scandal where President Katalin Novak granted a pardon to a man who helped cover up sexual abuse in a state-run children's home, leading to the resignations of the president and his ex-wife. Magyar wrote on Facebook: 'I do not want to be part of a system in which the real people in charge hide behind women's skirts'.

In March 2024, Magyar announced the formation of a new party and won 29.6% of the vote and 7 seats in the European Parliament elections. By autumn 2024, his party was ahead of Fidesz in polls, and he criticized Orban's close ties with Russia. While deriding the liberal opposition, Magyar stated that knowing Fidesz's 'tricks' gives him an advantage. His campaign is seen as a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' for change in Hungary.

Source: www.bbc.com