Is Fidesz campaigning through public arguments? Péter Magyar was insulted in front of a children’s home – VIDEO
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, visited the Szikla Street Children’s Home, intending to highlight problems in Hungary’s child protection system and draw attention to the state of the institution. However, the event strayed from its stated purpose and escalated into a heated argument between Magyar and Tamás Menczer, Fidesz’s communications director.
Before his visit, Magyar had announced his intention to enter the children’s home following reports of problems. However, the scene quickly changed with the unexpected arrival of Attila Fülöp, the Hungarian government’s state secretary for social policy, and Menczer, who blocked his entry. Witnesses described Menczer’s behaviour as aggressive and provocative, and the situation escalated into a loud, public argument.
Photo: FB/Péter Magyar
From handshake to hostility: Péter Magyar vs Tamás Menczer
Footage from the live broadcast captured a tense exchange: Magyar extended his hand to Menczer, who rejected it with a mocking comment: “Your hand is already shaking.” This set the tone for the meeting. Menczer launched into a personal attack, accusing Magyar of betraying his family and claiming that even his children refused to speak to him. In response, Magyar broke into the lyrics of the song “A börtön ablakában”, which is about someone who is in prison, further inflaming the atmosphere.
What began as a political disagreement quickly turned into a series of personal attacks, according to Telex. Menczer accused Magyar of being a “lying bastard” and compared his political career to an over-inflated balloon which is about to burst. Magyar responded by criticising Menczer’s combative behaviour, describing it as “pub behaviour”, and mocking his appearance by suggesting that Menczer should brush his teeth. Magyar even offered him medical assistance, adding to the absurdity of the exchange.
In the middle of the turmoil, Magyar’s team tried to deliver Father Christmas’s gifts to the children’s home, but the staff refused to accept them. Magyar commented on the argument: “Here he is shouting in front of a home with three-year-old children,” framing the conflict as not only politically inappropriate but morally questionable.
Photo: Tamás Menczer/FB
Reaction from the media
According to Telex, the incident provoked polarised reactions in the Hungarian media. Pro-government outlets portrayed Magyar as a provocateur making unreasonable demands, while Menczer was portrayed as a staunch defender of child protection. Magyar Nemzet, for example, claimed that Magyar “lost control and pushed Tamás Menczer”, avoiding tough questions.
Conversely, the opposition media focused on Menczer’s abrasive and offensive behaviour, arguing that it was inappropriate for the setting. A Telex correspondent noted how Menczer approached Magyar shouting and refusing to engage in meaningful dialogue. The absurdity of the confrontation was compounded by its location, just outside a children’s home, potentially in view of children and staff.
Political scientist Gábor Török described the encounter as emblematic of the polarisation in Hungarian politics, highlighting the erosion of constructive dialogue in favour of personal attacks. Török described Menczer’s “pub-level” behaviour as unprecedented and symptomatic of the deep divisions in Hungarian public discourse.
Following the event, Péter Magyar criticised the government and stated that the incident revealed the true nature of the Orbán government, which focuses on theatrics and silencing critics rather than addressing systemic problems. Magyar concluded: “This government prioritises political spectacle over solving real problems in child protection.”
Read also:
- Orbán’s challenger Péter Magyar denounces his ex-girlfriend, expels her from his party
- The Hungarian Watergate? Opposition leader Péter Magyar exposes alleged Government surveillance plot!
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3 Comments
Magyar wanted to use children for political gains. Well, it backfired. Magyar should stay away from children in general. If the statement that his own children shun him and refuse to speak to him is true, Magyar cannot be a stellar citizen.
I think Fidesz just lost another 100k voters with this fracas. No matter how low their opinion might be of Peter Magyar, an incumbent government needs to pursue a path of stately conduct whereas this unedifying spectacle involved an attack dog being let loose ostensibly to settle a personal score. A true low point in Hungarian political life that was already plumbing the nether regions. Even the otherwise steely Peter Magyar was visibly shaken by the sheer vehemence of his ‘interlocutor’. It might serve to increase the resolve of the existing Fidesz hardcore but their votes are in the bag, it’s the wavering voters Fidesz should be reaching out to which this latest episode does nothing to accomplish beyond push them away.
Concur – Londonsteve.
Sadly, the “vile” public behaviour and “other” – arising, its “employment” and expansion, in the public domain, that continues, exhibiting, and “feeds into” – increases the awareness, just not in Hungary, but throughout Europe, and country’s Globally, that are Governed under DEMOCRACY, the verification to ALL, the “toxic cultures” that stem / emanate from the CORE of the Fidesz Party, under the leadership of the present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban.
The “profanity-laden tirade” – thrown in the face of Peter Magyar by this Fidesz Member – Tamas Menczer – Replusive.
Was Magyar – his attending this facility, was it to Politically Grandstand – through the use of Children ?
I don’t believe that’s the case, as factually, it is known and accepted in Hungary, the NEGLECT over 16 years of the Orban – Fidesz Government, facilities of this “needed” requirement and purpose have been under funded IGNORED, pushed aside, by this Orban led Fidesz Government.
Public Health in Hungary, the “erosive its decline in standards – through being neglected, not a PRIORITY – under funded “place” it is in, that will worsen, that highlights gargantuan FAILINGS – of the Orban led Fidesz Government, as a Government, to provide INVEST into – the health needs and services for ALL the People – the population of Hungary.
My “platform” remains, that, in SOLIDARITY, the hope of a future for Hungary, lies with citizens, in re-evaluating the practice – the conduct of there own lives, to ENSURE – it is of TRUTH.
“Truth will set us Free”.
The ” bringing down” of this “heinous” Government of Hungary, under the leader of the Fidesz Party and the present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban – must be a BOMBARDMENT of Truth & Facts – that has, if required additional documentation, to confirm, to back up / support – the Truth & Facts – in the challenge, in the exposure, in demonstrating, in highlighting – the “toxic cultures” – the corrupt practices, the Lies and Fabrication, the propaganda usage, that exists, to the core of the Orban led Fidesz Government.
Solidarity – conducted under Truth & Facts.
Hungary, the “devastated” place as a country, we have after 16 years been DELIVERED to, by this “Tyrannical” , this in-sensitive Orban led Fidesz Government, our FIGHT, for our individual, our Families, our Grand-children – our country – future generations of Hungarians – our FUTURE, must be underpinned in TRUTH, truth truth.