NAGYKANIZSA, HUNGARY – Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar on Saturday unveiled his party’s ambitious “Hungarian New Deal” aimed at reviving the country’s stagnating economy through massive investment, predictable policymaking, and anti-corruption efforts. Addressing supporters at the Tisza party congress in Nagykanizsa, Magyar said that if his party wins the next general election, it will prioritise economic growth, restore public trust in governance, and reclaim state assets he alleges were misappropriated under the current administration.
Magyar, who leads the centre-right Tisza party, has emerged as the most formidable challenger to nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Opinion polls show Tisza maintaining a strong lead over the ruling Fidesz party, as Hungary grapples with high inflation and sluggish growth. The recent announcement by US President Donald Trump of a 30 per cent tariff on European Union imports has added further pressure to Hungary’s economic outlook, given its export-reliant model.
In his speech, Magyar promised wide-ranging reforms, including substantial new funding for the healthcare system, expanded housing initiatives, railway modernisation using EU and national funds, and new investments in household energy efficiency and education. He also vowed to secure the release of nearly €20 billion in frozen EU funds, withheld over Brussels’ concerns regarding democratic backsliding and alleged corruption under Orban’s leadership—claims the prime minister has repeatedly denied.
Magyar, a former insider in Orban’s administration who entered opposition politics last year, has quickly gained popularity by positioning himself as a reformist voice advocating for transparency and renewal. His message has resonated with voters frustrated by perceived cronyism and economic mismanagement. The parliamentary election is expected early next year, although an official date has not yet been announced.
Parliament last month passed Orban’s 2026 budget, which includes tax cuts targeted at families, a key Fidesz support base. However, dissatisfaction appears to be growing. “People are fed up with this regime,” said Edit Piroska Borsi, a retired teacher attending the congress. “And Tisza is a kind of ‘collecting party’ which stood behind all this discontent. People want change.”