Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - In a bold and symbolic move, Peter Magyar, leader of Hungary’s center-right Tisza party, set off in a canoe from Tokaj on July 16 to launch his 80‑day grassroots campaign against Viktor Orban’s 15‑year reign.
With Tisza showing a polling lead over Fidesz, Magyar is paddling through rural communities Orban’s traditional power base to rally support and advance his “Hungarian New Deal,” promising economic revival with increased EU investment and transparent governance
Public and media reaction has been electric. Many Hungarians are intrigued by the unconventional, hands-on approach: a populist yet personal tour meant to resonate with rural voters long overlooked by urban elites.
Magyar’s promise to avoid “behind-the-doors deals” has earned him trust, contrasting sharply with concerns about Orban’s centralized authority. Critics dismiss the campaign as “digital politics” lacking real grassroots infrastructure, echoing Orban’s own dismissal Meanwhile, hashtags like #CanoeCampaign and #HungarianNewDeal are lighting up local social platforms as the tour gains momentum.
The implications couldn’t be clearer: if Magyar continues gaining ground, this campaign could redefine Hungary’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 general election.
Fidesz has countered with tax cuts and housing subsidies to rally its voter base marking the start of a high-stakes strategic duel. Political analysts warn that a Tisza victory would not only shift Budapest’s policy trajectory but also have major ripple effects across the EU’s eastern flank.
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