The Hungarian political scene is approaching the boiling point. In the shadow of the upcoming parliamentary elections, which may endanger Viktor Orbán's long-standing governments, erstwhile Justice Minister Judit Varga interrupts silence. Her public speech not only echoed widely in the media, but besides hit straight the leader of the increasing opposition – Péter Magyar, who is... her ex-husband.
Recent polls show the clear advantage of the opposition organization of Tisza over the ruling Fidesz. According to a survey by Median, Tisza scores 51% among the strong voters, while Fidesz 36%, which means a 15-point difference. Another survey from the end of June gives Tisha 49% and Fidesz 41% of the overall population. These results propose that Péter Magyar is becoming the most serious threat to Viktor Orbán in years. All the more crucial are Varga's words, which not only accuses his erstwhile partner of treason (both individual and political) but besides refreshes the erstwhile allegations of home force and blackmail.
Bitter Back to the Past
Judit Varga, 1 of the key figures of the erstwhile government, appeared on Thursday in Budapest as a witness in a corruption case concerning her erstwhile deputy from the time she headed the Ministry of Justice. After the trial, she did not hide her emotions erstwhile journalists asked her about a possible return to politics.
– I am not going to participate in this game until something like Péter Magyar participates in it – she threw hard.
Shortly thereafter, she recalled the allegations she had made against her ex - husband for the first time a year and a half earlier. As she stressed, she cannot stay silent erstwhile individual who she believes committed treason towards his household tries to be the moral leader of the country.
- Betrayal is not a virtue. And surely not erstwhile it concerns the closest ones," she added.
Secret recordings and manipulation charges
Varga referred to a controversial recording of years ago that Péter Magyar was to secretly registry back in 2003, erstwhile they were both married. In a conversation that came to light in 2024 after the formation of Tisha, it is heard as Varga suggests that politicians are trying to influence the prosecution and exert force to remove uncomfortable passages from the documents.
– Who do you should be to evidence your wife while she is having a breakdown and fighting intellectual violence? – Varga said, accusing Magyar of utilizing the recording as a form of blackmail erstwhile she demanded a divorce.
According to her, Magyar first begged her to stay, then threatened, and at the same time prepared the ground for revealing private conversations.
Magyar reaction: “It’s propaganda”
Tisha's opposition leader powerfully denies accusations of force or blackmail. In his entries on social media, he described them as part of a slander run aimed at diverting attention from the real problems of the government.
– I'm not going to answer the same charges again. I want my ex-wife peace," he wrote.
He added that the content of the recording speaks for itself, and if the law truly worked, many politicians of the current government would endure consequences. He stressed that the real scandal was not his recordings, but that no 1 from the authorities was responsible. In subsequent entries, he stated that the current government was doing everything to direct the public's attention to his private life, not to uncomfortable evidence and corruption scandals in the Fidesz ranks.
Divorce, resignation and then – race to power
Varga and Magyar's union ended in 2023. Shortly thereafter, Varga resigned as Minister of Justice erstwhile an amnesty scandal broke out for a individual associated with concealing a paedophile crime in an orphanage. It was her signature that came under a paper about pardon – a signature that cost her a political career and damaged the image of the full government. At the same time, Péter Magyar began building a fresh political movement. Initially treated with a wink, she began to gain support quickly.
Shabolcs Dull, a well-known Hungarian political analyst, points out that Varga's statements are not random and fit well into the ruling strategy.
– Her words reenforce Fidesz's message, which has long tried to undermine Magyar's credibility," explains Dull.
She adds that Varga effectively diverted media attention from the main subject of the court proceeding in which she testified. alternatively of talking about proceeding officials, everyone focused on her relation with her ex-husband.
– Even if she does not plan to return to politics, she has already become an crucial tool in the run against the opposition – she estimates.
The full situation shows how thin the line between individual and public life in the planet of politics is. The conflict between Judit Varga and Péter Magyar – regardless of who is telling the fact – became part of the political power game. Elections are getting closer, and emotions are growing. For some, it's just a dirty campaign, for others, an effort to uncover an uncomfortable truth. 1 thing is certain: the fight for the future of Hungary is no longer just in parliament or in the streets, but besides in courts, media and private talks that should not always be exposed.
