– Peter Magyar is a bit like Robin Hood, but in many respects his views are identical to those of Viktor Orban – says Dr. Dominik Hejj. According to him, Magyar's only goal is to defeat Fidesz, but he operates without any program. The expert also emphasizes that “Viktor Orban will do everything in his power not to give up power.”
In recent months polls on Hungary increasingly point to the advantage of the opposition TISHA party, whose leader is Peter Magyar, a former politician of the ruling party Fidesz. In some studies, this advantage is even several percentage points. At the same time, Magyar has become the main enemy and antihero of the Hungarian pro-government media in recent months.
Dr. Dominik Hejj, author of the book “Hungary anew”, in an interview with PAP, pointed out that although the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is trying to downplay reports of a decline in support, the opposition can undoubtedly claim success. – Research shows that the flow of electorate to the TISHA party concerns basically only opposition voters, a small part of undecided (or electorally inactive) voters and a minimal percentage of Fidesz voters – explained the expert.
At the same time, he emphasized that what is considered a consolidation of the opposition outside Hungary is actually of a completely different nature. – Magyar cannibalized the opposition. Personally, I have the impression that only Peter Magyar is who Peter Marki-Zay was supposed to be for the opposition in 2022, he said. He added that it is about being “a common candidate for prime minister who is able to lead the opposition to victory.”
Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party in HungaryZOLTAN BALOGH/PAP
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Magyar a bit “like Robin Hood”
– Magyar surfaced in a specific situation when the Hungarian president was stepping down and his previous wife, Judit Varga, who was one of the most important figures in Fidesz's circle, was withdrawing from political life. Magyar was a beneficiary of the Fidesz system – explains the expert. He added that when he suddenly lost influence, he “abandoned a sinking ship.”
– Peter Magyar is a bit like Robin Hood, but in many respects his views are identical to those of Orban. They are not that different from each other, he said.
According to Hejj, the leader of the TISHA party is also not an ideal candidate for supporters of the opposition itself. – As a beneficiary of Orbán's system, he gained enormous financial resources thanks to it, and for years he did not mind being part of this system. In my opinion, this is part of the fight for Fidesz after it withdraws from politics sometime in the future Viktor Orbán. Magyar has already entered the race, he emphasizes.
Nevertheless, Hejj admitted that Magyar is currently the best candidate for the Hungarian opposition. – This is the only person who knows how the system works and therefore has contacts that allow him to discredit it. He actually goes with the camera to places full of irregularities and which the authorities would like to hide, such as hospitals or orphanages – notes Hejj, but warns that this type of activities may not be enough to achieve electoral success.
Pro-government media are waging an open war against him
According to him, the fact that Magyar was previously a member of Fidesz is the main reason why the pro-government media are waging an open war against him. – He's a traitor. This is the basic reason for their hatred towards him, said Hejj. Moreover, as a member of the European People's Party, the opposition leader is one of the faces of anti-Hungarian policy in the European Union.
The analyst mentioned that this is why the heaviest guns are being launched against Magyar, including: He is accused of a number of lies and violence against his ex-wife or current partner. He pointed out the lack of consistency in these accusations: – If it is true that he threatened his ex-wife and used violence against her, why is there no ongoing proceedings against him, which should be initiated ex officio?
Orban will do everything not to give up power
Hejj also commented on the suggestion that it is in Poland's interest to support Magyar in his fight against Orban's rule. – His pro-European aspirations are worth supporting. However, in matters Ukraine Whether Georgia Peter Magyar behaves in the same way and has the same views as Fidesz, he said. He also added that Magyar “operates without any program and its only goal is to defeat Fidesz.”
The issue of Magyar's chances of winning the next parliamentary elections in Hungary was also raised. – Let us remember that after 2010, the electoral system in Hungary was changed several times, and each time the purpose of these changes was to ensure Fidesz's victory in the elections. Viktor Orban will do everything in his power not to give up power, the expert said.
Main photo source: ZOLTAN BALOGH/PAP