Péter Magyar arrives in Oradea after “One Million Steps” march: A turning point in Hungarian opposition politics – VIDEO
Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar has completed a symbolic, week-long march from Budapest to the Romanian city of Nagyvárad (Oradea), marking a dramatic moment in Hungary’s political landscape and signalling a new era of engagement with ethnic Hungarians beyond the country’s borders.
The event, which drew hundreds of supporters and significant media attention, shows growing discontent with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and highlights the rising momentum of Magyar’s Tisza Party ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections.
A march born of protest
Péter Magyar, leader of the centre-right Tisza Party, announced his “One Million Steps” march on 12 May, shortly after Orbán indicated he could cooperate with George Simion, the far-right Romanian presidential candidate known for anti-Hungarian rhetoric and actions. Orbán’s remarks, delivered at a high-profile event in Tihany, deeply unsettled Hungary’s ethnic community in Romania and prompted Magyar to embark on his journey as a show of solidarity and protest.
Magyar began his march at Budapest’s St. Stephen’s Basilica, having just filed a legal complaint against Orbán. Over the next ten days, he travelled on foot through rural Hungary, engaging with communities that have traditionally supported Fidesz, Orbán’s ruling party. The march culminated on Saturday morning as Magyar and a swelling group of supporters crossed the border at Ártánd, entering Nagyvárad to a crowd of more than a thousand people, HVG reported.
A message of unity and renewal
In his speech at the final stop, Magyar addressed both Hungarians at home and those living abroad, declaring, “The era of destruction, incitement, and division is over—the final countdown has begun!” He accused Orbán of betraying the interests of ethnic Hungarians in Romania for political gain, comparing the prime minister’s actions to those of former PM Ferenc Gyurcsány, who opposed dual citizenship for Hungarians abroad in 2004.
Magyar’s message was one of reconciliation and hope: “We arrived in Nagyvárad on a journey of peace and goodwill. Kindness will triumph over malice and provocation.” He emphasised that the march was not about collecting votes but about restoring dignity and solidarity to the Hungarian nation, both inside and outside its borders. “Whoever truly cares about peace must take the first, the second, and if necessary, the millionth step,” he said, urging continued civic engagement.
Political impact and public response
Magyar’s march comes at a time of unprecedented political mobilisation in Hungary. Recent polls show Tisza leading Fidesz among decided voters—an extraordinary development after 15 years of Fidesz dominance. The march itself was a demonstration of grassroots support, with participants ranging from teachers and bus drivers to young people and pensioners. Magyar noted that never before have so many Hungarians felt such ownership over their political future.
He also pointed to growing fractures within the ruling party, suggesting that Orbán’s grip on power is weakening: “The Hungarian society has long passed the point where a failed power, intent on saving its stolen loot, could truly act against us. Even within the government, there are ministers trying to pull the prime minister back to reality”.
As Hungary heads toward the 2026 elections, the “One Million Steps” march may well be remembered as the moment the opposition seized the initiative, offering a vision of national renewal and European partnership. As Magyar himself put it, “This path is not the end, but the beginning… It can lead us to a more humane and peaceful Hungary and Europe”.
Read also: