Orban's new challenger gets green light to run at European elections

12/4/2024 17:57

        A former ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, registered a party late on Thursday to run in the European elections in June, setting out a test for his ability to challenge the nationalist leader.
        
        Magyar swooped into Hungary's political scene in February when he accused the government of widespread corruption and running a centralized propaganda machine. Orban aides have rejected his accusations.
        
        In late March, he published a recording of a conversation with Judit Varga, then his wife and Hungary's justice minister, in which she detailed an attempt by Orban aides to meddle in a graft case.
        
        The revelation, which is being investigated by prosecutors, has led to large protests in Hungary and has cast a shadow over Orban's government which had already been reeling from a sex abuse scandal that led to the resignation of the president.
        
        Opinion polls show that Magyar would get about 13% of voters while Fidesz's support was mostly unchanged.