EU urged to act over Hungary’s plans to ‘effectively outlaw free press’
GuardianMAY 22
Hungarian Opposition Leader Completes 300-km March to Romania
Above: Leader of Hungary's Tisza opposition party Peter Magyar (C) walks with his supporters on May 14, 2025, in Budapest, Hungary, during a protest walk from Budapest to Oradea, Romania. Image copyright: Ference Isza/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Peter Magyar is a fresh voice challenging Hungary's corrupt Fidesz regime, and his popularity is clear as thousands rally against Orbán's authoritarian grip. Voters clearly don't like where their country is heading, particularly Orbán's Russian-style crackdown on the press and nongovernmental organizations. With elections looming, Hungarians see Magyar as a beacon to save the nation before Orbán takes complete dictatorial control.
Right narrative
Péter Magyar's protest walk, like his hyped-up audio "scandal," is performative politics that's lost its shine. His repeated false promises to expose Fidesz corruption have made him look like someone who cried wolf, revealing nothing but his own disconnect from reality. Hungary's voters see through the lies, and they’ll stick with Fidesz, the party that's kept Hungary safe from Europe's woke authoritarian tide.