After 16 years under Viktor Orbán, many believed that democracy in Hungary was dead. But Péter Magyar challenged the system from within and achieved a historic victory. In this interview, the new Hungarian prime minister talks about the regime’s overthrow, dealing with its legacy, and the country’s new direction.
Péter Magyar, born in 1981, was part of Viktor Orbán’s power apparatus until two years ago. He was even married to Orbán’s justice minister. He then broke away from the long-time ruler and launched a nationwide campaign.
In the April 12 elections, he and his Tisza party won convincingly. Hungarians rewarded his stance against corruption and arbitrary rule with a parliamentary majority of more than two-thirds. In this interview, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar says that to gain voters’ trust, you have to go to them, look them in the eye and listen to them.
-You started your journey two years ago as an unknown political figure and now you have managed to defeat Viktor Orbán, the longest-serving leader in the EU, a leader who destroyed democracy in his country. Was there a single moment when you thought: This could work?
In fact, I had no intention of entering politics. I was once a member of Orbán’s Fidesz party, but then I broke away from the system. In February 2024, I gave an interview to the online media outlet Partizán.
It was seen by almost 3 million people, which really surprised me. A month later I organized a protest against corruption and cronyism. 50,000 people came. Three weeks later there were 200,000. Maybe that was the moment.
-Yet Orbán’s people controlled most of the media and the state apparatus…
I have always been very skeptical about whether it was possible to win against such a regime, especially with a majority like the one we achieved. But I only became truly optimistic in the second half of 2025.
-How do you explain that after 16 years the climate suddenly changed against the system?
The reasons are many. Hungarians are very patient, but they love freedom. There were a lot of lies, a lot of corruption, a lot of propaganda. And after so many years, we emerged, a force outside the system, who sincerely wanted to win and who said: We will work with honesty and transparency, we will protect our citizens.
-Orbán won the previous elections with very polarizing slogans against Brussels or immigrants. Most recently, he also mentioned an alleged threat from Ukraine. Why did voters no longer believe these narratives?
People get used to constant propaganda and eventually understand. Propaganda only works when it contains a grain of truth. We managed to show that Orbán’s claims had no basis in reality.
The end of a regime comes when people are no longer afraid of it, even when they start laughing at it. This is exactly what happened in Hungary. My motto from the beginning was: “Don’t be afraid!” Even two years ago I was saying that Orbán’s power seemed much stronger than it actually was.
-What lessons can democrats in other countries learn from your success in confronting autocrats?
I don’t believe there is a universal recipe. We simply worked with honesty and a lot of dedication. Politics is about people. For voters to trust you, you have to go to them, look them in the eye and listen to them.
During the campaign I visited over 700 towns and villages. In some places I went 5 or 6 times. I was on the road more than at home. Others thought that social media and television were enough. But this is not enough.
-How is the humiliated power apparatus reacting now? Orbán has essentially taken over the state; his loyalists are at every level of power…
Our country was a hostage state. There are still many of his loyalists in the system. For example in the Media Council. But even the president of the Supreme Court and the prosecutor general are Orbán’s people. So of course we have encountered resistance.
But we expected this. These people must go. They betrayed the rule of law, democracy and the Hungarian people. None of them reacted when judges, journalists, artists or ordinary citizens were insulted and slandered.
Not even when Orbán called critics of the system “parasites” who had to be suppressed. People did not vote for a simple change of government, but for a change of the system.
-You have asked a number of powerful figures loyal to Orbán to resign voluntarily, even President Tamás Sulyok…
We tried to be very fair. He could have left with dignity. He didn’t, probably under pressure from Orbán. They are trying to prevent the change of the system, perhaps to prevent the crimes from being exposed: fraud and embezzlement worth billions. It is ironic to see those who for 16 years weakened the rule of law now pretend to defend it. We have an unprecedented majority, over two-thirds, and we can change the constitution. The people voted for us to make a complete break with the past. We need new people and rules, and the restoration of institutional balances and checks.
-Is there a risk that, with such a large majority, you will fall into the temptation of authoritarian governance?
I have proposed limiting the prime minister’s term to eight years, and that applies to me as well. We will take further steps to prevent abuses of power like those of the last 16 years.
-Are you afraid that the polarization of society will continue?
We want to reunite the nation. It was not a battle of “Hungarian against Hungarian”, but of Orbán’s system against the people. We must face the past, but those responsible must first apologize and be held accountable. Orbán has not done this either.
He is not participating in parliament. He does not want confrontation with the people. When the public campaign of hatred and propaganda ends, it will be easier to unite. I hope that in October we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution in a more united country.
-Orbán has been criticized for his pro-Russian policies. Will Hungary support sending aid to Kiev?
We want good relations with all neighboring countries. There are Hungarian minorities in every neighboring country. Over 100 thousand Hungarians live in Ukraine alone. For example, they are not allowed to use their language in the administration or kindergartens.
We are in negotiations on this issue. If the protection of minorities is guaranteed, and I am optimistic, I will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and we will open a new chapter with Ukraine. But we will not send weapons or troops.
-Will you support the EU sanctions packages against Russia?
If there is consensus in the European Union, we will certainly support the sanctions. As Orbán ultimately did, despite his domestic rhetoric./ Adapted from “Pamfleti” by “Der Spiegel”