The Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, may get the worst result in the European Parliament elections in the last two decades, as the opposition party led by Péter Magyar became Orban's main challenger.
The material was prepared by Apostrophe.
Politico reports that Hungary's ruling Fidesz party may get the worst result in the European Parliament elections this time - Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz gained 44.6%, which is lower than previously predicted. Instead, the opposition Respect and Freedom (TISZA) party of Péter Magyar, gained 30.1%. It is noted that Orban will receive 11 seats in the new parliament, and his opponent from the Respect and Freedom party will receive 7 seats.
The publication notes that Fidesz has gained less than 50% only once in the last two decades - in 2004, reaching 47.4%.
Politico quotes Péter Krekó, executive director at the independent Political Capital think tank, as saying that this is "a huge victory for Péter Magyar and a huge failure for Fidesz. Fidesz has a real challenger".
Peter Magyar is a threat to Orban's 14-year rule
In turn, Bloomberg notes that Orban's party has lost ground, which "was marked by the surge of an upstart politician who’s set to challenge the five-term leader’s dominance."
Thus, Péter Magyar, a lawyer, former diplomat and state company executive, is currently the biggest threat to Orban and his 14-year rule. As Bloomberg mentions, this allows him to "claim the mantle" of Orban's main challenger in the 2026 parliamentary elections.
The article mentions that the Hungarian Prime Minister's main rival registered his party to run in the parliamentary elections at the last minute.
"Magyar registered his Tisza party for the election at the last minute. In a whirlwind campaign across Hungary, he organized the biggest anti-government protests since Orban’s return to power in 2010, outshining a lackluster and fragmented opposition by zooming in on corruption and capitalizing on ruling party scandals," the report said.
Earlier, Apostrophe reported that Viktor Orban made new cynical statement about Ukraine.