In a remarkable post on X, Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar said that once his Tisza party wins the upcoming election in April against incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, that he will immediately suspend all public media news broadcasts.
“After the change of government, we will immediately suspend public media news broadcasts until the conditions for objective and impartial operation are in place,” wrote Magyar on X.
After the change of government, we will immediately suspend public media news broadcasts until the conditions for objective and impartial operation are in place.
— Magyar Péter (Ne féljetek) (@magyarpeterMP) February 7, 2026Magyar’s declaration reveals the zero-sum game seen in many European countries, where the right loses power and is immediately subjected to all the “illiberal” practices the left accuses the right of. In Poland, for example, after Prime Minister Donald Tusk won, the police raided public media buildings and shut them down in dramatic fashion.
Poland is seen as the template in many respects for the Hungarian opposition. In that country, many within the former conservative government were arrested and imprisoned.
Magyar openly stating he will immediately shut down all public media immediately calls to mind authoritarianism seen in many Third World countries. If, for example, a right-wing politician remarked that upon their victory, they would immediately shut down all public media in a country like France or Germany, the backlash would be incredible — despite public media in both countries being seen as extremely friendly to the ruling government and the left.
In addition, the EU would condemn “fascism” and a violation of the “free press” and the “rule of law.” Sanctions would almost certainly follow.
However, in Magyar’s case, he will be rewarded richly by the EU if he proceeds with dismantling nearly every aspect of the previous government, including the unlocking of Hungary’s frozen billions in EU funding.
Even if Magyar believes that the Hungarian media is entirely captured by Orbán’s government, it is telling that he is openly stating this even before victory. However, he appears to be ready to reveal this card well in advance of the first ballot.
Critics such as Philip Pilkington, a macroeconomist and author, are calling out what they see as the double standard.
Haha! The "liberal" Hungarian opposition are saying publicly that they will suppress the Hungarian media the moment that they are elected. Guys, there are no "liberals" left. Only war authoritarians who take orders from Brussels. 🇭🇺🗳️ https://t.co/H5lpQTHFU9
— Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) February 8, 2026Ultimately, Magyar’s statement reveals what will happen should Orbán lose.
Courts seen as too friendly to the previous government will be liquidated, judges will be sidelined, organizations will be stripped of power, and public media will be gutted. Brussels wants a day of reckoning in Hungary following a Magyar victory. Orbán has been a thorn in their side for well over a decade.
He and his government will pay a dear price for their defiance.
