Péter Magyar addresses thousands in Szeged, outlines political vision

Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, delivered a speech in Szeged's Széchenyi Square on the first day of his Csongrád-Csanád County tour on Monday, March 3. The event, attended by an estimated 3,000-4,000 people, was marked by campaign-style rhetoric, policy promises, and strong criticism of the current government. The Tisza Party, founded in early 2024, positions itself as a centrist opposition force advocating for transparency, institutional reform, and stronger European Union integration.

Acknowledging Szeged’s support

Magyar opened his speech by thanking Szeged for its strong support in the European Parliament elections, where the Tisza Party secured the highest number of votes in the city. He described this result as a signal for the country and expressed gratitude for the warm reception he previously received at the SZIN festival.

"Szeged has shown the way for the nation," Magyar stated, emphasizing that Tisza has grown into the strongest political community in Hungary.

Concrete promises and policy proposals

Magyar’s speech included a range of pledges, touching on key policy areas such as healthcare, the economy, and Hungary’s relationship with the European Union. He promised to establish a dedicated health ministry and to work toward securing EU funds that he claims are being withheld due to corruption.

The opposition leader also addressed domestic political issues, introducing new experts joining the Tisza Party, including Kriszta Bódis, a documentary filmmaker and leader of the Van Helyed Foundation, which focuses on education and social integration for disadvantaged children. Bódis has recently faced government criticism over her affiliation with the party. Defending her, Magyar declared: "Hands off Kriszta Bódis, who has done more for abandoned families in the past two decades than the oligarchs who have taken this country hostage."

Criticism of government policies

Shifting focus to economic issues, Magyar criticized the government’s handling of inflation and foreign investment projects, specifically mentioning the construction of a BYD factory in Szeged. He argued that the plant, which is expected to employ a significant number of foreign workers, would provide little benefit to local residents and that state-imposed solidarity taxes on municipalities were evidence of the government’s financial mismanagement.

He also took aim at the administration’s handling of EU funds, stating that "Hungary is practically insolvent," citing hospital debts and a lack of financial support for critical sectors such as education and transportation. He reiterated his commitment to joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and capping the prime minister’s tenure at eight years.

Security and foreign policy

Magyar was joined on stage by former Chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, who spoke about national security concerns. Ruszin-Szendi criticized political figures who discuss war without firsthand experience, stating: "People who confuse the smell of gunpowder with the smoke from a weekend barbecue should not be making decisions about war and peace."

A call for change in 2026

Closing his speech, Magyar positioned the 2026 parliamentary elections as a decisive moment for Hungary’s future, framing the vote as a choice between "East and West," "corruption and clean governance," and "propaganda and reality." He argued that Hungary’s place is in Europe, citing historical figures such as Saint Stephen and Lajos Kossuth as defenders of this orientation.

Encouraging youth participation in politics, Magyar echoed John F. Kennedy’s famous words: "Do not ask what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

As the event concluded, he wished the crowd "perseverance and good health," adding a pointed remark about the state of the Hungarian healthcare system: "Because ending up in a hospital is not worth it."

Magyar’s speech in Szeged underscored his party’s growing influence and outlined his vision for a political shift in Hungary, setting the stage for what he hopes will be a transformative election in 2026.

Photos: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify