August 
Something seems to be brewing in Hungary.
Something seems to be brewing in Hungary.
Cracks appear in Orbán’s once-untouchable rule
After 15 years of dominating Hungarian politics, Viktor Orbán’s control appears to be faltering. His once-powerful media machine is no longer delivering the knockout blows it once did.
For the first time, an opposition movement is gaining serious momentum — and it’s shaking the illusion of his political invincibility.
The rise of Peter Magyar
Orbán’s fiercest challenger is Peter Magyar — a former ally who now leads the Tisza party. Despite relentless attacks from state-aligned media — including accusations of abuse and corruption — Magyar’s popularity is growing, according to Digi24.
According to Digi24, Magyar’s popularity is growing. Polls suggest that Tisza holds a clear lead in the next general election, marking a major shift in Hungarian politics.
Corruption claims hit close to home
Magyar has accused Orbán of corruption, drawing attention to a luxurious estate known as Orbán’s Versailles and highlighting the wealth of the prime minister’s son-in-law, István Tiborcz, previously accused of fraud.
The revelations have struck a nerve — and may be fuelling the growing appetite for political change.
“They have learned nothing but how to destroy opponents “
Orbán’s critics say his rule has been defined by attacks rather than governance.
“They have learned nothing else in the last 15 years except how to attack and destroy their opponents,” said political scientist Laszlo Kéri — once Orbán’s professor and now a supporter of Magyar — in a statement reported by Digi24. He believes the propaganda state is wearing thin.
A propaganda machine vs. lived reality
The Fidesz-controlled media continues to praise Orbán as a protector of traditional values, but critics argue the public sees a different reality.
With inflation, economic stagnation, and a demographic crisis, many Hungarians are questioning the gap between the glowing rhetoric and their daily struggles.
Backlash to anti-LGBT messaging
Orbán’s strategy of targeting the LGBT community may be backfiring. In 2025, over 100,000 people joined the Budapest Pride parade — a sharp increase after the government banned it.
According to Digi24, Orbán labelled the event “disgusting and shameful,” blaming Brussels. However, the strong turnout suggests a growing resistance to his culture-war politics.
Nobel win delivers symbolic blow
Acclaimed author László Krasznahorkai, a vocal critic of Orbán, recently won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Orbán congratulated him publicly, but Krasznahorkai responded by reaffirming his opposition to the prime minister’s politics — a moment many viewed as symbolic of the tension between Hungary’s cultural elite and its political leadership.
When propaganda stops working
“In all hybrid regimes, there comes a point when propaganda is no longer enough,” warned Ákos Hadházy, a former Fidesz official now in opposition, according to Digi24.
With the usual tactics failing, questions are growing about what Orbán might do next to maintain power. As Hungary nears a crucial election, the question remains: can Orbán’s playbook still win?
This article is made and published by auk1, which may have used AI in the preparation
