Ahead of Hungary's elections on 12 April, former Fidesz party insider Peter Magyar, 45, has been campaigning across the country with the slogan 'Now or Never', representing the most significant challenge to Viktor Orban's rule since his first of four consecutive victories in 2010. The slogan, derived from a 19th-century revolutionary poet's rallying cry, has been shortened to 'Now', emphasizing the urgency of his message. Magyar has visited all 106 Hungarian constituencies, delivering up to six speeches a day, and built a strong 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 European Union (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, while Magyar has been cautious about aligning too closely with Brussels, telling voters 'we are the real party of peace'.
Magyar's confidence stems from a deep understanding of his rival. Until February 2024, he was part of the Fidesz family, having joined the party at university and married its rising star Judit Varga. However, after a scandal in which President Katalin Novak granted a pardon to a man involved in covering up sexual abuse at a state-run children's home, Varga resigned, and Magyar left the Fidesz system, stating 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 addressed an estimated 10,000 people, announcing the formation of a new party, and went on to win 29.6% of the vote and seven seats in the European Parliament elections. By autumn 2024, his new party was ahead of Fidesz in polls. Magyar criticized Orban's close ties with Russia, asking: 'Mr Prime Minister, why won't you say 'Russians go home' anymore?' He has also derided the liberal opposition but emphasized his insider knowledge of Fidesz tactics, saying: 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not for Peter Magyar but for the country'.
Source: www.bbc.com