Tisza Party vows “peaceful, humane Hungary” as Péter Magyar sets out election pledges at year-evaluation rally

Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, used his party’s annual year-evaluation event on Sunday to present an ambitious programme for government, arguing that Hungary is “at the gate of victory” ahead of the 12 April elections.

Speaking to supporters at Hungexpo in Budapest, the opposition politician outlined plans ranging from constitutional guarantees against military conscription to a nationwide road renovation scheme and stricter oversight of battery plants and public spending. He framed the vote as a choice between “fear and division” under the current government or “peace and cooperation” under Tisza.

“Ready to govern”

Magyar said the party’s experts and volunteers had spent months preparing detailed policy proposals and insisted Tisza was prepared to take over immediately.

According to him, Hungary has spent 16 years in a political climate dominated by hostility and propaganda. He argued that effective government requires expertise and cooperation rather than what he described as one-man rule, taking aim at Prime Minister Orbán Viktor.

He also challenged Orbán to a public debate, saying voters deserve to see competing visions for the country face-to-face.

Privacy, youth and public trust

Referring to alleged surveillance tactics and smear campaigns, Magyar claimed that if politicians’ private lives can be targeted, “anyone’s can”, urging voters not to accept what he called intimidation.

He devoted a significant part of the speech to young Hungarians, many of whom he said feel forced to move abroad due to high living costs, corruption and limited job prospects. Tisza, he added, would not “lecture” young people but instead create conditions for housing, work and stability at home.

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No conscription, focus on peace

A key pledge was to constitutionally prohibit the return of mandatory military service. Magyar accused the government of promoting a more militarised vision for society and said Tisza wanted to guarantee that Hungary remains peaceful and avoids being drawn into conflicts.

He stressed that the party supports strong border protection but rejects war and violence.

Roads, economy and EU funds

Magyar also promised practical improvements to daily life. He described Hungary’s public roads as patchwork and outdated, pledging to appoint a government commissioner to oversee a nationwide renovation programme “from wall to wall”.

On the economy, he criticised what he called an overreliance on foreign assembly plants and battery factories, arguing that the state should instead back Hungarian small and medium-sized businesses, innovation and higher value-added industries. He vowed to unlock suspended EU funds and join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to tackle corruption.

Battery plants and child protection

Environmental and health concerns featured prominently. Magyar referenced controversies around battery manufacturing sites, including the Samsung SDI plant in Göd, promising independent inspections and suspensions where violations occur.

He also pledged reforms in child protection, healthcare and social services, including better funding, smaller care homes and compensation for past victims of institutional failures.

“Serve, not rule”

Several party candidates and experts spoke before Magyar, emphasising environmental protection, healthcare reform, foreign policy credibility and professional governance. The recurring message was that Tisza aims to “serve the country, not rule it”.

Closing the event, Magyar called on Hungarians at home and abroad to vote in April, saying the election would decide whether the country remains divided or begins what he described as a new, cooperative chapter.

The 2026 Hungarian parliamentary elections will take place on 12 April 2026.