Hungary's Opposition Leader Peter Magyar Begins Campaign Tour on Canoe

Hungary's main opposition leader, Peter Magyar, has begun a campaign tour in a canoe, promising a "Hungarian New Deal" to revive the economy if his Tisza party wins the 2026 election. Magyar's centre-right party has a lead over the ruling Fidesz in most polls and poses the biggest challenge to nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's 15-year rule. Magyar vows to go it alone without allies to defeat Orban, citing polls showing Tisza is on course for a convincing win.

Hungary's main opposition leader, Peter Magyar, has embarked on a campaign tour in a canoe, promising a "Hungarian New Deal" to revive the economy if his Tisza party wins the 2026 election. Magyar's centre-right party has a lead over the ruling Fidesz in most polls and poses the biggest challenge to nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's 15-year rule. Magyar vows to go it alone without allies to defeat Orban, citing polls showing Tisza is on course for a convincing win.

At a party congress in Nagykanizsa, Magyar outlined a comprehensive plan to address Hungary's stagnating economy, marked by inflation and a struggling recovery. The plan includes massive investment and predictable policy measures. Magyar pledged to unlock 20 billion euros of suspended EU funds, which Hungary has not received due to political tensions with Brussels over democratic concerns and corruption allegations [1].

The Hungarian New Deal focuses on several key areas: healthcare, housing, infrastructure, and education. Magyar proposed a major healthcare reform with an annual funding of 500 billion forints ($1.5 billion), a large-scale rental flat and home construction programme, modernization of state railways using EU and national funds, and investments in energy efficiency and education.

The plan also includes measures to crack down on corruption and buy back state assets that Magyar claims have been stolen over the past 15 years. Magyar, a former government insider, emphasized the need for economic growth, investments, and predictable financial and economic policy in Hungary.

The parliamentary election is set to take place early next year, with no specific date announced yet. In June, parliament passed Orban's 2026 election year budget, which includes steep tax cuts for families, a key demographic group for Fidesz.

Edit Piroska Borsi, a retired teacher attending the congress, expressed the sentiment that people are fed up with the current regime and want change, highlighting the potential for Magyar's Tisza party to capitalize on widespread discontent.

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/hungarys-opposition-flags-new-deal-kickstart-stagnating-economy-2025-07-12/