A scandal surrounding his ex-wife brought Magyar into the spotlight
For years he worked for the government at a mid-level but was politically insignificant. His current ex-wife Judit Varga, who was appointed by Orbán as Justice Minister and was the female figurehead of the Fidesz party for years, was particularly well known. But it fell due to a scandal at the beginning of 2024. She had approved the pardon of a man who had been convicted of abusing minors.
When that came out, she and President Katalin Novák had to leave. A scandal for the government, which always presents itself as the protector of children and thus justifies, among other things, its drastic measures against homosexuals.
Varga and Magyar were already divorced at the time, but it was still Magyar’s political birth. After the two politicians resigned, he gave a long interview in which he denounced the double standards in the Orbán system. Millions watched. He stated at the time that he wanted to “get out of the system.”
A little later he left the Fidesz party and joined the previously insignificant Tisza (Respect and Freedom) party. Within a few weeks he rallied more and more people behind him. In the 2024 European elections, Tisza won almost 30 percent straight away, followed by a triumph in the parliamentary elections.
In some respects, Magyar is also like Orbán
A success that also brought relief in Brussels. Because his predecessor Orbán had blocked important decisions at the EU level. Not least in Ukraine politics. Magyar also has reservations about the country’s rapid accession to the EU, but his election victory made it possible for an EU loan of 90 billion euros to be released to Kiev. There is a constructive tone in Budapest. Merz also relies on this in discussions with the guest from Hungary.
Magyar is at least committed to “restoring Hungary’s reputation in the EU and NATO,” according to an observer. He also emphasizes European positions such as the rule of law, climate protection and common defense. Nevertheless, his election would not be a complete departure from previous policies. Michael Winzer, head of the Budapest office of the CDU-affiliated Konrad Adenauer Foundation, made it clear to t-online last year that Magyar wanted to stand for a “better, more scandal-free Fidesz”.
