Hungary’s two dominant political figures set sharply different tones for the new political season on Saturday. Prime Minister Péter Magyar launched a new nationwide tour in Veszprém and called for reconciliation between ordinary Hungarians, while former prime minister Viktor Orbán declared an end to what he described as a period of patience and said Fidesz was ready to “fight”.
The contrasting messages came as Magyar launched his autumn tour in Veszprém and Orbán addressed supporters behind closed doors at the traditional Civic Picnic in Kötcse.
Magyar: Hungarians must be able to talk to each other again
In Veszprém, Péter Magyar argued that changing Hungary’s political system should not mean maintaining the deep divisions that developed over previous years.
He said those who committed crimes should still face consequences and illegally acquired public assets should be recovered. At the same time, he urged ordinary citizens on opposing sides of politics to reach out to one another.
Hungarians, he said, must “extend a hand to each other” and learn to talk to one another again, thanking both Tisza and Fidesz supporters who had already taken steps in that direction. Magyar also addressed growing expectations surrounding investigations into alleged wrongdoing under the previous government.
While acknowledging that many supporters were waiting for rapid accountability, he stressed that “the rule of law can only be rebuilt and operated through rule-of-law methods”.
The prime minister pointed to what he described as achievements during Tisza’s first months in government, including the recovery of EU funds, the end of governing by decree and the return of assets worth around HUF 1.3 trillion from public-interest asset management foundations to the state.
Magyar also announced the launch of a new nationwide tour, with Tisza leaders and government members expected to visit several towns and cities across Hungary in the coming weeks.
Orbán claims Tisza won the election with ‘four lies’
Orbán struck a markedly more confrontational tone in Kötcse. Although his speech was delivered behind closed doors, several details leaked on Saturday evening, while Orbán himself later published an excerpt.
“The period of patience with the neo-communists is over. We are putting on the gloves and we are going to fight,” the former prime minister wrote.
In the published excerpt, Orbán said Fidesz had given the new government a fair period of roughly 100 days but that this phase had now ended.
“We were patient, perhaps even more than necessary,” he said, before declaring that “the time for national resistance has come”.
According to details of the speech reported by Hungarian media, Orbán said Fidesz must rebuild itself from opposition and work towards returning to government. He portrayed the Tisza-led political system as a “neo-communist digital council republic” and accused the governing party of having won the election through what he called “four lies”.
Among them he listed claims surrounding pollution at the Samsung SDI battery plant in Göd, the so-called “Uncle Zsolti” affair, corruption allegations against his former government and Tisza’s economic promises.
Orbán also revived several themes that had defined his years in power, including Brussels, foreign influence, multinational companies and Hungary’s sovereignty.
More from Kötcse: Orbán says the past 16 years were lawful and appropriate
‘They have taken politics, now comes the economy’
The former prime minister also identified the economy as the next major battleground. He argued that Hungary was becoming economically dependent on foreign interests and claimed that the Tisza government would ultimately weaken Hungarian-owned companies and increase the country’s exposure to outside economic influence.
Orbán framed the message as the end of a political “grace period”, although Fidesz has already pursued a highly confrontational strategy in parliament since losing power. That leaves open what the former prime minister’s newly declared “national resistance” will mean in practice.
The only thing Orbán is sad and angry about, is that he is not here with his gang to steal the left money 😂😂😂
He did well not having his meeting free for press 😂
Fidesz is flopping about like a headless chicken with no intelligence guiding its actions. Orban and his party perform the same hyperbolic pathological lying that people have long since learned to ignore.
Welcome back Victor Orbán.
Hajrá Fidesz!
Welcome back Grandad!
Hajra Flector!
I am hearing more and more talk on the street about local politics.
People are already unhappy with the way things are being handled.
Magyar is taking the credit for the Danube modification project at Paks, even though that plan had long been on Fidesz’s agenda.