Hungary’s main opposition leader, Péter Magyar, pledged stronger safeguards for personal privacy during a campaign event in Budapest on Sunday, following allegations that the government attempted to discredit him using a secretly recorded private video.
Magyar accused Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government of blackmail and creating a honeytrap in 2024 to undermine his credibility. While the full video has not been released, a single image of a bedroom has circulated online.
“If you want Viktor Orbán to spy in your bedroom, then feel free to vote for the ruling Fidesz party,” Magyar said.
“If they can disclose my private life, they can do the same to others.”
Opinion polls currently show Magyar’s Tisza Party leading Orbán’s Fidesz, ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12.
During the campaign event, Magyar also addressed concerns over national security and foreign policy. He emphasized that, if elected, his government would reject military conscription and ensure that Hungary does not become entangled in the conflict in Ukraine, while maintaining control over the southern border to prevent illegal migration. He reiterated opposition to the European Union’s migration pact and expressed caution regarding Ukraine’s fast-track EU accession.
Magyar also criticized recent environmental issues, including a chemical leak at a battery factory near Budapest, calling for mandatory independent and public measurements to ensure transparency and public safety.
Engagement with European Leaders
Earlier in the week, Magyar attended the Munich Security Conference, meeting with 12 European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
He briefed EU leaders on his plans if elected, promising to:
- Recover EU funds owed to Hungary
- Implement strict anti-corruption measures
- Ensure independence of the judiciary, press, and higher education institutions
- Maintain a clear stance on Ukraine’s EU accession process
“The most important task of the future Tisza government will be to bring back the EU funds due to the Hungarian people,” Magyar said.
The opposition leader framed the upcoming April elections as “the biggest political event of the decade”, appealing particularly to young voters to participate actively in shaping Hungary’s future.
