Who is Péter Magyar, the candidate who defeated Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán?
Péter Magyar grew up during a period of democratic change in Hungary and, in his youth, supported Viktor Orbán, who at the time presented himself as a liberal anti-communist. Magyar later became a political opponent of the current prime minister, according to CNN.
The parliamentary elections took place under conditions that observers describe as unfair due to the peculiarities of the electoral system and the media environment. For many Hungarians who have lived under Orbán’s rule for a long time, these elections were a long-awaited event.
Mátyás was born into a wealthy family in Budapest. His relatives include lawyers and judges, as well as the former President of Hungary, Ferenc Mádl. The politician himself was previously a member of the Fidesz party and worked as a diplomat.
He was married to Judit Varga, who served as Minister of Justice. The couple lived in Brussels for a long time before returning to Budapest in 2018.
Mágyar’s political breakthrough came following a scandal in early 2024, when Hungarian President Katalin Novák pardoned an official convicted of concealing violence against minors. The story caused a public outcry.
In February 2024, Magyar gave an interview to the media outlet Partizan, in which he criticised the government and claimed that a significant portion of the country’s economy was controlled by a few families. The video garnered millions of views.
That same year, he joined the Tisa party and quickly rose to lead it. In the European Parliament elections, the party won around 30 per cent of the vote, and Madyar became a Member of the European Parliament.
His election campaign focused on domestic issues, particularly the economy and corruption. The politician travelled extensively across the country and engaged personally with voters.
At the same time, he avoided making strong statements on foreign policy and sensitive topics. During discussions surrounding the ban on Budapest Pride, he limited himself to general statements, without directly mentioning the movement in question.
On issues related to Ukraine, Magyar also maintained a restrained stance during the campaign.
Support for Magyar came from across the political spectrum. According to experts, a significant proportion of the votes for him were a protest against Orbán.
Mágyar himself emphasised that changes in the country would require time and gradual steps.
