Escalating physical and verbal political attacks against Hungarian opposition Tisza Party activists – VIDEOS
In recent months, volunteers of Hungary’s opposition Tisza Party, led by Péter Magyar, have faced a troubling wave of physical and verbal assaults during their public activities. These incidents, which have occurred across various locations in the country, highlight rising tensions in Hungary’s polarised political landscape.
A series of disturbing incidents against Tisza party volunteers
One of the most shocking events took place in Tök, Pest County, where a man reportedly attacked Tisza Party volunteers at a campaign stand. According to Péter Magyar, the assailant shouted anti-Semitic slurs, overturned their table, and scattered personal belongings, including phones and glasses. This incident occurred in front of children as young as three years old. The suspect was later arrested and charged with hate crimes, facing up to five years in prison if convicted.
In another incident in Eger, Heves County, a man physically assaulted volunteers collecting signatures for the party’s “Voice of the Nation” (Nemzet hangja) initiative. The attacker punched activists, destroyed campaign materials, and damaged equipment. Police intervened swiftly, leading to the suspect’s expedited trial.
Péter Magyar published a video about the assault in Eger:
Meanwhile, in Budapest’s Örs vezér Square, a volunteer was slapped by an unidentified man who fled the scene. Although no serious injuries were reported, the incident is under investigation for disorderly conduct.
Similarly, in Budapest’s 20th district, a man linked to a notorious criminal figure called Zoltán Seres harassed volunteers stationed outside his business. Police were called to de-escalate the situation:
Another alarming confrontation took place in Kelenföld, Budapest, where a man launched into a tirade against Tisza Party volunteers. The attacker attempted to overturn their campaign table and shouted inflammatory remarks, including calling them “traitors”. He escalated further by declaring, “All of you should be hanged,” while children were present nearby.
When one volunteer suggested calling the police, the man retorted that they should summon executioners instead. The situation worsened when he struck at a volunteer filming the incident with his cap and later made an aggressive move toward another activist speaking with authorities. Péter Magyar condemned the attack as yet another example of growing hostility toward opposition activists and urged Hungary’s President Sulyok Tamás to publicly call for peace. Check out the disturbing video below:
Political context
Tisza Party’s Péter Magyar has attributed these attacks to what he describes as a climate of hostility fostered by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. He alleges that government rhetoric and propaganda have emboldened supporters of the ruling Fidesz party to engage in acts of violence and intimidation against political opponents. In response to these incidents, Magyar has publicly called on Orbán to condemn such actions and ensure the safety of political activists.
Fidesz representatives have not directly addressed these accusations but continue to emphasise their focus on upcoming elections. Both parties appear locked in an increasingly contentious battle for public support ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections (read more on the chances HERE).
What does this mean for democracy in Hungary?
The repeated targeting of Tisza Party volunteers, rightfully, raises concerns about the state of political discourse and democratic norms in Hungary. Physical violence and harassment against political activists not only threaten individual safety but also undermine the principles of free expression and fair competition in a democratic society.
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