The measurement has changed. Viktor Orban may have sealed his defeat. “He never went that far”

Acute rhetoric

— We lasted besides long. present we celebrate and commemorate the fight for what is most precious — freedom. But Easter will come, and with it cleaning, We're gonna get all the bugs out of here. said Viktor Orban on the steps of the National Museum, 1 of the distinctive places in the capital of Hungary, where he speaks all March. By “bugs” he understood any judges, opposition politicians, independent journalists and people from civilian associations who are active in politics and critical of his party.

Stringer/Anadol Agency / AFP

Viktor Orban giving a speech on the occasion of the National Hungarian Festival in front of the Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, 15 March 2025.

Hungarian policy observers know that the March vacation always carries 1 unknown — what speech the Prime Minister will have. Will it be more conciliation than last year, or militant and aggressive? The promise of dealing with the enemies of the country is nothing fresh in his mouth “ Orban likes to provoke and transcend boundaries. However, this year's speech amazed Hungarian public opinion.

— He never utilized specified language, he did not go that far, claiming that his opponents were not even human," said Andras Mizsur, Telex commentator. These words met with strong opposition, but besides judaic organizations, which reminded that the words dehumanizing fellow citizens frequently preceded tragic events in history.

Loud objection

— It was just rhetoric, political phrase, metaphor," said Laszlo, 40 years old, after Orban spoke. all year he comes to the premises outside the museum to perceive to the Prime Minister's speech. He was pleased with this year's celebration. That's what the 50-year-old Virag said.

— I think Orban said it beautiful well. I do not trust the opposition either, and I think it serves a abroad country," he said.

The area in front of the museum was traditionally crowded, respective 1000 people tried to compression onto the lawn in front of the building and onto a closed boulevard. 1 of the adjacent side streets was filled with parked buses which brought to Hungarian capital from another cities.

Government celebrations are usually vigorous. This time they had 1 fresh feature. Viktor Orban is simply a good talker and has made his audience laughter at his words respective times — including the mention of the coming cleanup of the country. Sometimes, however, laughter appeared in moments where Orban did not joke, and there were besides whistles — they came from opponents of the Prime Minister. In earlier years, they did not get this close to the Prime Minister's supporters and did not have the courage to voice their objections.

— Sometimes the whistles were a bit exaggerated, jamming the speech, which I think is wrong, but there is no problem,” said 1 young female after the celebration. Although a fewer moments of tension appeared, they unloaded themselves, no police intervention was needed.

To prison.

The Fidesz Orban organization must get utilized to the fact that although it inactive holds almost absolute power in the state, as in the past 15 years, pre-election polls for almost six months foretell her election failure. This is completely unprecedented for Fidesz and equally unprecedented for Tisza's opposition party, which would win the election today. This is equally different for her leader Peter Magyar, who was erstwhile a associate of the ruling group.

— It is surprising, but we can now say with certainty that Tisha and Magyar are not any political minority. They are a real force, says analyst Andras Bíro-Nagy. However, he adds that a year is simply quite a few time and although media and the political device of the ruling organization seem not to know what to do with the countercandidate, the success of Tisha is uncertain. And it is inactive most likely actual that 1 mistake, 1 failure, and the hopes of the Hungarian opposition will begin to fade, as has happened respective times in the past.

Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP / AFP

Peter Magyar on phase during a rally in Budapest, 15 March 2025.

— I trust him due to the fact that he was not afraid to leave Fidesz and face him openly. It surely took courage. And there's no 1 better. But I'm not desperate. I truly believe in change for the better," said Dora, a young teacher, pushing through the crowd to get as close to the phase as possible. She's 300 meters from her. The same plan was for tens of thousands of people standing on Budapest's widest and most celebrated street. In the rains they were waiting for the Tisha organization leader to talk at 3 p.m.

These celebrations were held equally rapidly — over an hr and a half 3 speeches were given, music and 2 poems of Petophi’s revolutionary poet. Unlike Orban, Pater Magyar himself did not devote much time to recalling almost 2 100 years of revolutionary struggle.

And he didn't endanger to throw distant worms. Instead, he announced to the assembly that if his organization wins the election, reduces the VAT on wellness food, grants all pensioner a wellness care voucher, invites more women than men to the government — and start fighting corruption. After these words, tens of thousands of voices raised the cry: “to prison” towards the ruling Fidesz party. This is besides a novelty in Hungarian politics.

Fidesz School

Analysts say it was a clever decision from Magyar. While Orban called fellow citizens worms, his opponent spoke of the country's real problems. He's from Fidesz school. He has a sense of political gain and knows how to exploit the chance and weakness of others," Biro-Nagy said.

It's getting dark, it's starting to rain hard, around 5:00 p.m. the crowd who arrived at the rally of the Tisza organization is spreading. The boulevards in the city center are empty and closed for cars. Despite the rain, many Budapestns take the chance to take a walk.

The fog and nightfall in Ferenca Deak Square, located close the site of the rally, abruptly interrupted the trumpet sound. It's the same tune that sounded in the morning at the beginning of the rally. This time the musician was among the people, you could see who he was — a man in his fifties in a perfectly tailored blue suit.

— You were here with us, and you were besides rooting for Magyar? The trumpeter just shruged his arms, with the light grin the trumpet gave him in his mouth. And he continued the game.