The Hungarian Watergate? Opposition leader Péter Magyar exposes alleged Government surveillance plot!
Yesterday, Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, announced via a Facebook post that he would be holding an extraordinary press conference to reveal what he called the biggest political scandal in Hungary since the regime change. The press conference, titled “The Hungarian Watergate Scandal,” left many unsure of what to expect from the live broadcast.
Péter Magyar, Chairman of the Tisza Party, has made serious accusations against the Hungarian government, alleging that certain government members have conducted secret surveillance on him and his party. In his statement at the press conference, Magyar claimed that the Fidesz government operates a private secret service network to monitor him and his party colleagues and that they are preparing a smear campaign against the Tisza Party. According to Magyar, this campaign is built on information about his private life, which was allegedly leaked to a government website with the help of his former girlfriend, Evelin Vogel.
What to expect from the campaign against Péter Magyar
Péter Magyar made strong allegations against the government during Sunday’s press conference, accusing it of using AI-supported methods to defame him and his party. Magyar asserted that the campaign employs the latest technologies, including AI-edited audio and video, to discredit him and his associates.
Magyar further alleged that tens of millions of forints have been spent to prepare a smear campaign, with plans to release manipulated content on a website named Objectiv. According to Telex, the site is currently under maintenance; however, Magyar claims its purpose is to disseminate compromising, AI-generated content. As stated in his accusations, “Antal Rogán and his associates” allocated one billion HUF (€2,439,233) to edit Magyar’s public appearances using AI-based technology, with the intent to produce manipulated materials aimed at damaging his reputation.
Magyar also revealed that intelligence sources had informed him that listening devices had been installed in the Tisza Party offices and his own residence, although he admitted he lacked evidence to prove this claim. He called on Interior Minister Sándor Pintér to inspect the party’s properties and assets.
The Vogel Evelin audio leak
In one audio recording, Evelin Vogel is allegedly heard demanding 30 million HUF (€73,176) to refrain from “turning resentment into revenge.” She reportedly threatens to “explore other options” if her demand is unmet. This recording purportedly dates back to 16 June 2024. Three months later, Vogel gave an interview with Index, openly criticising her former partner, Péter Magyar, and sharing a very unfavourable view of the Tisza Party president.
Contacts and support from the Hungarian Government
Magyar further claims that his ex-wife, Judit Varga, along with Evelin Vogel, receives financial backing from Fidesz-aligned circles close to the Hungarian government. According to Magyar, this support is provided by IT entrepreneur György Vertán, who also allegedly offers Vogel accommodation in a property on Alkotmány Street. He contends that Varga and Vogel have taken on the role of making negative public statements against him.
György Vertán, owner and founder of Tigra Ltd., has denied Magyar’s allegations. According to 24.hu, Vertán stated that he does not finance Vogel but only provides her with temporary housing. He emphasised that he has no involvement in the political activities of the Tisza Party or in Magyar’s personal affairs and, as such, offers no political support.
Judit Varga, the former Minister of Justice under the Orbán government, is currently employed by Tigra Ltd., where she assists the company in its international expansion. Vertán confirmed this, adding that Varga receives standard employee benefits and performs her duties with diligence.
Vertán has also stressed that Tigra Ltd. has always maintained political neutrality, serving clients across the political spectrum. He stated that his company has received various public and private contracts over the years and intends to continue this approach.
The first Péter Magyar audio leak
The first audio recording emerged earlier than expected, surfacing in the media earlier today. According to Telex, the clip, apparently recorded after the June protest, captures Magyar making some heated comments about the demonstrators. He also seems to hint at plans to discredit Vogel publicly, suggesting that she has been unfaithful.
The Tisza Party responded quickly, labelling the recording a “manipulative attack.” They assert that the incident was orchestrated by Fidesz and Rogán’s associates, accusing Vogel of being a long-term Fidesz insider who had even been provided with an apartment by them. Magyar added that the objective of the recording was to damage the reputation of the opposition party.
Tisza to expel Vogel, Magyar to file police report on ‘blackmail’
According to MTI, the leadership of the opposition Tisza Party has decided to expel Evelin Vogel, and party leader Péter Magyar will file a police report alleging blackmail, the party announced on Monday. Magyar said he had been aware “for days” of “attempts by the ruling party and [Cabinet Minister] Rogán’s propaganda team to discredit him” using “illegally obtained and digitally manipulated material.”
“The reason is that the party has a realistic chance of ousting the mafia government,” they said.
The party further claimed that “the recording in question is clearly edited and manipulated; at least one sentence is certainly not spoken by Magyar.” They also stated, “Vogel should rather tell the press how many tens of millions of forints she has received from Fidesz, and why she resides in an apartment provided by Fidesz deputy leader Gábor Kubatov and [billionaire entrepreneur] György Vertán.”
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