{"id":151,"date":"2026-03-22T04:56:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T08:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jakony.com\/frontpage\/?p=151"},"modified":"2026-03-22T04:56:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T08:56:58","slug":"will-peter-magyar-end-16-years-of-viktor-orbans-rule-in-hungary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jakony.com\/frontpage\/europe\/will-peter-magyar-end-16-years-of-viktor-orbans-rule-in-hungary\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Peter Magyar end 16 years of Viktor Orban\u2019s rule in Hungary?"},"content":{"rendered":"

(BUDAPEST, HUNGARY) <\/strong>– After 16 years in power, Viktor Orban faces a growing challenge as opposition figure Peter Magyar builds a grassroots movement that is energising voters across Hungary. Critics have long described Orban\u2019s system as an illiberal democracy, where elections are held but the playing field is widely seen as uneven.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething is stirring in Hungary,\u201d as demonstrators, both young and old, call for change. Many say it is now or never to remove Orban from power.<\/p>\n

Supporters of the opposition are increasingly rallying behind Magyar, a former ally of Orban who has spent the past two years organising a nationwide campaign. Despite Orban\u2019s long consolidation of power, backers of Magyar acknowledge the scale of the challenge ahead.<\/p>\n

Asked whether the upcoming vote would be free and fair, one supporter said, \u201cOf course not. But we will defeat them.\u201d Another added that even in difficult conditions, \u201cwe are in trouble, but we will do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recent polling suggests Magyar could still win, prompting Orban to intensify campaigning with last minute rallies across towns and rural areas. At one event, reactions were mixed. \u201cA lot of people say\u2026 he is not good for us. But we live in peace. We live in a safe country,\u201d one attendee said.<\/p>\n

Such direct and informal engagements were previously rare for Orban, but observers note he is now under pressure, even in traditional strongholds.<\/p>\n

In the small town of Jaszapati, a former Orban supporter, a middle class carpenter, said frustration had driven him and his wife to campaign for Magyar\u2019s Tisza party. \u201cI think more and more people want change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Although some voters remain cautious about Magyar due to his past links with Orban\u2019s Fidesz party, they see few alternatives. \u201cIf there would be a good leftwing party, I would vote for them, but there is not. So I will vote for Peter Magyar,\u201d one voter explained, adding that the opposition leader is \u201cnot completely on my level\u2026 not my taste\u201d.<\/p>\n

With support appearing to erode, Orban has focused his campaign on security and war. A Fidesz campaign video depicts a child asking about her father, followed by scenes suggesting his death on a Ukrainian battlefield.<\/p>\n

Throughout the campaign, references to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are prominent. Orban, who has maintained closer ties with Moscow and has withheld some EU support measures for Ukraine, argues that Magyar\u2019s policies would bring Hungary closer to war.<\/p>\n

Public opinion remains divided. When asked whether Hungary should align more closely with the European Union or Russia, one respondent dismissed the question as inappropriate, stating, \u201cEurope is Christian\u2026 Hungary is Christian\u2026 Russia is Christian.\u201d<\/p>\n

This reflects a long standing political dynamic in Hungary, centred on national sovereignty and suspicion of foreign influence.<\/p>\n

On 15 March, Hungarians marked the anniversary of the 1848 Revolution with two separate marches, one supporting Fidesz and the other backing Tisza. At the pro government rally, one participant said, \u201cMr Orban saved the country\u2026 from everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another attendee said the priority was \u201cto show\u2026 that we want to be independent and free\u2026 to everybody\u2026 to England also\u201d, describing the election as \u201clife and death\u201d.<\/p>\n

At the opposition rally, the tone differed sharply. One participant accused Orban of using fear, saying, \u201cHe frightens his people because they\u2019re scared of the Second World War. He knows what he\u2019s doing\u2026 it\u2019s actually sad.\u201d<\/p>\n