Péter Magyar Launches Tisza Campaign, Vows to Reorient Hungary Toward the West

Opposition leader Péter Magyar formally launched his Tisza party’s election campaign in Budapest on Sunday, pledging to steer Hungary back toward its Western partners with about eight weeks (56 days) until the April 12 vote.

Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party who will challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in national elections on April 12, speaks during the party's campaign opener event in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Background

A former insider in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, Magyar broke from his former colleagues in 2024 and rapidly built the center-right Tisza party. After winning roughly 30% of the vote in June 2024’s European Parliament elections, Tisza has grown into the most formidable challenge Orbán has faced during his 16 years in power; most independent polls show Tisza with a clear lead going into April’s ballot.

Péter Magyar, center, leader of the opposition Tisza party who will challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in national elections on April 12. poses for a group photo with all the candidates of the party, after their campaign opener event in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Campaign Focus

Magyar has concentrated his campaigning on Hungary’s rural, conservative heartland—areas long considered Orbán strongholds—holding rallies and town-hall meetings across dozens of towns and villages. He has emphasized everyday issues such as low wages and sharply rising living costs that contribute to Hungary’s relatively low ranking within the European Union.

Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party who will challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in national elections on April 12, speaks during the party's campaign opener event in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Accusations Against the Government

Magyar accuses Orbán’s government of economic mismanagement and of enabling unchecked corruption that has concentrated great wealth among a small circle of well-connected insiders while leaving ordinary Hungarians behind. He has also criticized Orbán’s confrontational stance toward the EU and his continued ties with Russia despite Moscow’s war in neighboring Ukraine.

Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party who will challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in national elections on April 12, speaks during the party's campaign opener event in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Foreign Policy and Europe

Magyar pointed to meetings with several European leaders at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend and vowed to halt what he called Hungary’s drift away from the EU under Orbán. “Hungary’s place is in Europe, not only because Hungary needs Europe, but also because Europe needs Hungary,” he said.

“We’re standing on the threshold of victory with 56 days left to go. Tisza stands ready to govern.” — Péter Magyar

Policy Program

Last week Tisza published a 239-page governing program outlining its priorities if it wins in April. Key pledges include:

• Keeping the southern border fence constructed in 2015 while maintaining opposition to illegal immigration and rejecting any accelerated accession process for Ukraine;
• Recovering billions in EU funds that Brussels has suspended over rule-of-law and corruption concerns;
• Pursuing conditions for euro adoption by 2030;
• Investing in struggling public health and transportation systems;
• Cracking down on corruption and seeking to recover public funds alleged to have been diverted to government-connected oligarchs.

Fidesz has not released a new manifesto, saying its 16 years in power make its priorities clear to voters.

Team And Expertise

Tisza’s candidate slate emphasizes local professionals—entrepreneurs, doctors, economists, educators and other community figures—presented as practical experts who can rebuild ties with Western partners and end Hungary’s international isolation. Prominent names on the ticket include international energy expert Anita Orbán (no relation to the prime minister), named as a prospective foreign policy chief, and former Shell executive István Kapitány, tapped for senior economic responsibilities.

Magyar said these candidates bring sectoral expertise lacking under the current government and reiterated his pledge to fight corruption: “It is time to call corruption what it is: theft.”