Second place, first crack in the shield: Peter Magyar's road to a historic election result
(March-June 2024,for Népszava)
In February 2024, the political apathy that had lasted since the two-thirds majority in 2022 ended with the pardon scandal, which is still having an impact today. The main consequence of this is the emergence of a new political force, the Tisza Party. Péter Magyar, Judit Varga's ex-husband, emerged unexpectedly on the political scene, his popularity growing rapidly. After two successful demonstrations in the capital, an unprecedented crowd gathered in Debrecen, the countryside stronghold of Fidesz. His tour all over the country also channelled discontent at local level, and in the 9 June elections, the Tisza Party won 29.6% of the EU list against 44.8% for Fidesz. Although it only came second, it essentially swept away the old opposition parties, shattering the premise of Fidesz's two-thirds success: instead of a fragmented opposition, there is now a single strong challenger to the ruling party.
Péter Magyar addresses the demonstrators the day before the elections, on 8 June 2024, at Heroes' Square in Budapest.
The closing scene of the National March demonstration in Budapest on 6 April 2024, in Kossuth Square. Péter Magyar's second demonstration in the capital filled the square and the surrounding streets.
The opening scene of the National March demonstration on Deák Square, Budapest, 6 April 2024. This was when Péter Magyar sprayed the now trademark truck with national-colour paint.
The truck was also used as a stage for the cross-country tour. It was always from here that Péter Magyar addressed the gathering. He is speaking here in Jászapáti on 28 May 2024. The town is one of the few municipalities where the Tisza Party has backed a specific candidate for mayor. Gergő Illés defeated the son of the local Fidesz MP, János Pócs Jr. Péter Magyar visited 185 municipalities in just under two months. This strategy played a major role in his electoral success.
A young man at the pre-election day campaign rally of Péter Magyar at Heroes' Square, 8 June 2024.
Protesters at the National March on Kossuth Square, Budapest, 6 April 2024.
Péter Magyar and his then-girlfriend Evelin Vogel at the National March on 6 April 2024. During their time together, she secretly made audio recordings of her partner, which she later gave to Fidesz.
Demonstrators on 5 May 2024, Mother's Day, at Kossuth Square in Debrecen. The balloon was inscribed with an extract of one of Péter Magyar's most important slogans.
Péter Magyar delivers a speech at Kossuth Square in Debrecen on 5 May 2024. Although it was Mother's Day, a huge crowd had gathered in the Fidesz stronghold of the country.
Péter Magyar and his crew celebrating after the end of the official results waiting ceremony on Pázmány Péter promenade in Budapest. By then it was clear: they had achieved a historic result, opening a new chapter in the history of postsocialist Hungary.