Is Fidesz campaigning through public arguments? Péter Magyar was insulted in front of a children’s home – VIDEO
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, visited the Szikla Street Children’s Home, intending to highlight problems in Hungary’s child protection system and draw attention to the state of the institution. However, the event strayed from its stated purpose and escalated into a heated argument between Magyar and Tamás Menczer, Fidesz’s communications director.
Before his visit, Magyar had announced his intention to enter the children’s home following reports of problems. However, the scene quickly changed with the unexpected arrival of Attila Fülöp, the Hungarian government’s state secretary for social policy, and Menczer, who blocked his entry. Witnesses described Menczer’s behaviour as aggressive and provocative, and the situation escalated into a loud, public argument.
From handshake to hostility: Péter Magyar vs Tamás Menczer
Footage from the live broadcast captured a tense exchange: Magyar extended his hand to Menczer, who rejected it with a mocking comment: “Your hand is already shaking.” This set the tone for the meeting. Menczer launched into a personal attack, accusing Magyar of betraying his family and claiming that even his children refused to speak to him. In response, Magyar broke into the lyrics of the song “A börtön ablakában”, which is about someone who is in prison, further inflaming the atmosphere.
What began as a political disagreement quickly turned into a series of personal attacks, according to Telex. Menczer accused Magyar of being a “lying bastard” and compared his political career to an over-inflated balloon which is about to burst. Magyar responded by criticising Menczer’s combative behaviour, describing it as “pub behaviour”, and mocking his appearance by suggesting that Menczer should brush his teeth. Magyar even offered him medical assistance, adding to the absurdity of the exchange.
In the middle of the turmoil, Magyar’s team tried to deliver Father Christmas’s gifts to the children’s home, but the staff refused to accept them. Magyar commented on the argument: “Here he is shouting in front of a home with three-year-old children,” framing the conflict as not only politically inappropriate but morally questionable.
Reaction from the media
According to Telex, the incident provoked polarised reactions in the Hungarian media. Pro-government outlets portrayed Magyar as a provocateur making unreasonable demands, while Menczer was portrayed as a staunch defender of child protection. Magyar Nemzet, for example, claimed that Magyar “lost control and pushed Tamás Menczer”, avoiding tough questions.
Conversely, the opposition media focused on Menczer’s abrasive and offensive behaviour, arguing that it was inappropriate for the setting. A Telex correspondent noted how Menczer approached Magyar shouting and refusing to engage in meaningful dialogue. The absurdity of the confrontation was compounded by its location, just outside a children’s home, potentially in view of children and staff.
Political scientist Gábor Török described the encounter as emblematic of the polarisation in Hungarian politics, highlighting the erosion of constructive dialogue in favour of personal attacks. Török described Menczer’s “pub-level” behaviour as unprecedented and symptomatic of the deep divisions in Hungarian public discourse.
Following the event, Péter Magyar criticised the government and stated that the incident revealed the true nature of the Orbán government, which focuses on theatrics and silencing critics rather than addressing systemic problems. Magyar concluded: “This government prioritises political spectacle over solving real problems in child protection.”
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